Fresh Install Errors

Hi,

I just removed the DVD drive from my laptop and swapped it for my 500GB HDD. I also put a 128GB SSD in the main slot.

All test ok however I cant reinstall windows. When I try to boot with a USB DVD drive I get the following error:

NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

I have tried another USB DVD drive and I get the same issue, I have tried the CD on another PC (in the drive) and it works fine.

A bit stuck as the older 500GB HDD is wiped clean.


*Edit

I have another SSD, is there anyway of installing just windows on my other laptop onto this drive and just transferring them?

 

if the primary drive i presume is the ssd ? is new then it will need formatting firstly. but why attempt to install from a usb-rom device ? they are slow, simply copy all the files from the installation media and drop them onto a freshly formatted usb drive and install that way. so much quicker.

as for your 2nd question if possible simply take the primary drive out of the laptop IF it is new and never been installed on before and simply attach it to another pc and format and activate the drive that way.
once done simply disconnect and reconnect it to the laptop and install in the above mentioned manner.

 

Ok thanks, I will try copying the content onto a USB device. The SSD has been formatted and activated already when it was installed. The only way we could get it to boot earlier was with the esata slot connected to a sata desktop dvd drive. Sadly I no longer have access to that.

 

Tried making a USB boot device and copied it all over. Still no joy.

If I just let it boot then its the same NTLDR message,. When I select the removable device from the boot options then I just get "Operation system not found", followed by the NTLDR message when I push anything.

 

forgive me for saying but you do have it set to boot from usb devices within the bios correct ? i ask because NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart is the type of message you get after that phase of the post. and as for NTLDR is missing this is the type of error you get when the hdd/sdd is not formatted correctly or the partition table on the drive becomes corrupted.

 

I set USB to the 1st boot in the BIOS yes.

Not sure how I can reformat the HDD/SSD now as I cant get on to anything.

 

another thing i just thought of that can and often does cause this type of issue is IF the bootloader is installed on the 2nd hdd and not the primary hdd (1st drive) and you attempt to install onto the first drive this will also cause this type of issue also. and example that could/would cause this issue is:
you remove the dvdrom device and swap it for a hdd. the dvdrom device was set as primary boot device and the original hdd was 2nd boot device in the boot order.
at the same time you also remove the hdd and install you sdd and attempt to install a new operating system on the ssd. this will cause all the boot files to be installed on the 2nd hdd (that you replaced the dvdrom for) whilst attempting to install the OS onto the primary drive (new ssd) whilst at the time of doing it the bios is set to boot the new 2nd hdd first and the new ssd secondly but you are attempting to install the ssd as the primary device. hope that makes sense to you.
we/i need more info on exactly what you have done and in what order.
have you reset the bios ? i ask for the simple reason the bios may still be setup on the 2nd sata port for the old dvdrom. as with any hardware changes its always best to reset the bios.

 

Ok, this is what my BIOS displays:


*Edit also SSD - http://tinypic.com/r/k1s7ch/5 HDD http://tinypic.com/r/qnqx5c/5


The laptop was dismantled and the DVD drive removed.

The 500gb HDD was put into the old DVD slot via a caddy.

A new 128gb SSD was then put into the drive where the HDD used to be.

Then tried to boot a disc management program with a USB DVD drive. It wouldn't boot, always displaying the NTLDR message.

Managed to get it to boot using an old DVD drive with an ESATA to SATA cable (using the M15X's ESATA port).

Formatted and activated both drives.

Took it home.

Tried to install from both a USB DVD drive and a USB storage device.

NTLDR message



I don't have an ESATA to SATA cable myself but one in on the way so that might get round it.

Its odd though, I swapped the HDD for a SSD in my M11X last week and there were no issues booting from a USB device at all.

 

Tried another USB boot device just in case. Still no joy.

 

Seems an ESATA optical drive saved the day. Odd problem. Reformatted both drives during installation. Least it's working well now.

 

as i have already mentioned it would of installed the boot files to the 2nd hdd whilst you was trying to install the OS to the 1st hdd (ssd) which causes this issue. it is actually easy to resolve but im glad its all working for you now.

 

Thanks for your help

 

I'm glad you finally got it working with that.