ntldr is compressed 3

[ifix1]

hi folks
i have here a friends computer.he's running xp home and his computer won't boot, it gets an error message saying "ntldr is compressed press ctrl alt del to reboot"

i've tried using fixboot and fixmbr from the recovery console "didn't work"
i also tried to restore using my good ole 98 boot disk to get to the command promt "that didn't even see the c drive "i guesse i can't use it to see a nt file sys..

any suggestions?

THANKS FOR ANY REPLIES!!
here's some info if it helps
the computer is a hp
the h/d has 2 partions(from hp)
1 non-dos about 5g
1 nt remainding 35g

 

[bcastner]

Expand the file from the XP CD. It is in the \i386 folder:
expand ntldr._ c:\ntldr

You can do this under Recovery Console:

EXPAND
expand source [/F:filespec] [destination] [/y]
expand source [/F:filespec] /D

Use this command to expand a file. In the command syntax, source specifies the name of the file to be expanded and destination specifies the folder for the new file. If you do not specify a destination, the command defaults to the current folder. You cannot include wildcard characters.

You can use the following options:
/y : Do not prompt before overwriting an existing file.
/f:filespec : Identifies the files to be expanded.
/d : Do not expand; display only a directory of the files in the source.

If the source contains more than one file, the /f:filespec parameter is required to identify the specific files to be expanded. You can include wildcard characters.

The destination can be any folder in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in the root of the drive, in the local installation sources, or in the Cmdcons folder. The destination cannot be removable media, and the destination file cannot be read-only. Use the attrib command to remove the read-only attribute.

 

[ifix1]

thanks for the reply bcaster
i don't know how to use the command line all that well..so don't waste your time checking for a reply from me.you gave me instructions on what to do,now i have to figure out how to do it..i'll get it but it will take a while..
so THANKS and have a good day


AGAIN THANKS FOR THE REPLY BCASTER!!!

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=314058

 

[ifix1]

THANKS AGAIN bcaster
i just really don't know how to write it

i've tried all differant variations of
expand d:\xp_pro\i386\ntldr c:\ntldr
to no avail
i tried useing [d:\xp_pro\i386\ntldr] [c:\ntldr]
but i don't think i'm supposed to use these []
i have to get ready for work now,so i'll read that knowledge base article in work and maybe a light bulb will go off in my head..
i'm totaly ignorant of the command line

fdisk and format is all i know

another BIG THANKS bcaster

 

[bcastner]

1. Start the Recovery Console. If you do not have the Recovery Console installed, start it from the Windows XP compact disc (CD). To do this, follow these steps:

a. Insert the Windows XP CD and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD.

b. When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts; choose the repair or recover option by pressing R.

c. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the recovery console.

d. When prompted, type the Administrator password.

2. At the command prompt, type "cd \" (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER.

3. Type "ren ntldr ntldr.old" (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER.

4. Type "map" (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER.

5. Note the drive letter assigned to the CD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP CD. It is displayed in a format similar to the following: D: \Device\CdRom0

6. Type &quot;expand <drive>\i386\ntldr._&quot; (without the quotation marks) (where <drive> is the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP CD), and then press ENTER. For example:

Expand d:\i386\ntldr._ <ENTER>

Note the underscore character after the &quot;.&quot;

The following message appears: ntldr, 1 file(s) expanded.

7. Type &quot;exit&quot; (without the quotation marks). The computer restarts.

8. Remove the Windows XP CD and start the computer normally.

 

[ifix1]

wow thanks bcaster I REALLY APRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME!!
but,when i type as you suggested it says &quot;the system cannot find file or directory specified&quot; but if i type without the &quot;._&quot; at the end it says file cannot be uncompressed.. the ntldr file is in the &quot;c&quot; directory,i was able to rename.the cd-rom is &quot;d&quot;

i even copied ntldr to a floppy still would not uncompress,i just talked to the guy and he said i can format nothing important on the computer.he just uses it for internet.

i just would like to get some experiance with repairing not always reinstalling windows..

again a BIG THANKS bcaster

i'll wait a little bit to see if you suggest anything else.. THANKS

 

[bcastner]

Start Recovery Console.

cd c:copy d:\i386\ntldr

exit.

Reboot. (with out the XP CD in the drive)

I am worried that this is not the core issue. Please let me know what happens. Note carefully any and all error messages.

Bill

 

[ifix1]

i copied ntldr after command it said 1 file copied,there were no error messages

i rebooted and
ntldr is compressed
press ctr alt del

THANKS

 

[bcastner]

Start again Recovery Console.

bootcfg /rebuild

Point to your XP installation.

fixboot c:

exit

Reboot and test.

 

[ifix1]

this is what comes up
i typed &quot;bootcfg /rebuild&quot;
comes back saying
&quot;scanning all disks for windows installation please wait&quot;
&quot;windows installion was successful total identfied windows install
[1] c:\windows&quot;
add installation to boot list (yes\no\all)
&quot;i put y&quot;
enter load identifier &quot;i put fixboot&quot;
enter load options &quot;i put fixboot&quot;
it comes back to command promt
i reboot and ntldr is compressed

AGAIN THANKS

 

[bcastner]

&quot;Load identifier&quot; is asking for a description line in boot.ini.

You still need to use under Recovery Console fixboot.

But if you have access to another XP machine, please create an XP boot disk:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q311073

Your machine is beginning to worry me a bit.
But it can be fixed.

 

[bcastner]

By the way, is your friend's computer an HP or COMPAQ computer with the boot volume in a reserved partition?

If so, hit F12 on startup, and follow the instructions to Repair the boot partition.

 

[bcastner]

I want to emphasize that some OEM computer manufacturers place a boot/restore partition, sometimes as FAT12, and if there is an issue with that partition you need to call the OEM manufacturer.

Often they will tell you to insert the System Restore CD. I can think of clever ways to do some basic repairs to such &quot;boot/recovery&quot; partitions, but in the end you need to call the computer manufacturer as it is their problem, and not yours if the system is still under Warranty.

But be forewarned, you may not like the answer they give you.

Be nice.

 

[ifix1]

yes it is an hp computer
and it does have 2 paritions, one 5gig partion that is labeled &quot;?&quot; an i can't check the dir because of the ? caracter.

i downloaded xp boot disk from ms
i got to disk 2 then it says

file \ntkrnlmp.exe could not be loaded
the error code 7
setup could not continue

i will try the f12 you mentioned
if that don't work i'm going to fdisk and do a clean install..
i will let you know if f12 works

I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH bcaster..
i feel as though i o u a case of beer

you have a GREAT week-end

 

[ifix1]

f12 didn't do anything, so i guesse i'll format..

THANKS for all your help

 

[bcastner]

Call HP Tech Support first.

 

[ifix1]

just realized i've been spelling your name wrong bcastner..

have a great day!

 

[bcastner]

I have seen worse, called worse.

Call HP.
Be Nice.

Bill Castner

 

[ifix1]

i hate phones..
plus i'm always leary about monkeying with computers this much,after all this i just don't this it will run at top efficiency and i don't want to give a computer back to somebody in that state..so i guesse i'll give it a new start..
THANKS AGAIN!