[Please help] Thinkpad T400 "NTLDR is missing" boot error

Hi everyone,

I received a T400 from work yesterday, so it's not mine. They seem to use images for their configuration. It's WIN XP Pro.

Yes, I confess. I'm to be blamed. The laptop tempted me ("Press the ThinkVantage button...") to push that attractive and irresistible blue shiny "ThinkVantage" button during the boot.

And now I can't boot... I'm getting this "NTLDR is missing. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart" error. No BIOS or ThinkVantage menu entry helps. It's not a boot order problem, partition boot flag unset (cfdisk tested). I can assure. I'm reasonable when it comes to computers in general (not much, but I generaly find my way).

What I've found so far

This seems to be a corrupted boot file on Windows or something like that. It probably can be fixed by starting the Win Xp CD and using the " fixboot" command.

I have such a CD that I bought years ago for my older notebook. But I don't have the required (asked before fixing) administrator password (for obvious reasons).

What can I do?

I can tell and ask them to fix (I'm sure it will be a 5 minute solution for the IT guy), but I would prefer not to.

I may (and here you guys go) find a boot CD that will just fix the files, or any other solution for this problem, and then I can leave the ThinkVantage button alone forever.

Thank you very much.

 

Just go get it re-imaged. Its the easiest way, and just as an FYI, we do not allow discussions on how to bypass system security on the forums.

 

You dont need to do that. I see a lot of wasted time of this channel trying to fix things that should be addressed by trained personel. But you, you came in with a problem I've fixed before. All you need to do is take an ntloader.exe from the same type of os and load onto C:/. That should do it.
Renee

 

Renee and Patrick, thanks. I know it's easier, but it will take like a week with the IT guys for a 5 minute solution. Seemed like a waste if there was a quick fix I could do, and I have work done on it. But perhaps you're right, may be better to just wait.

I understand. Together with real life, I'm also on some forums over the net and I know the (n)etiquette (besides my childish username---long story). Don't worry, I would never discuss anything that could pose a risk to this valuable resource (NBR), and neither I would do such a thing. First, it's wrong in itself. Second, it's against the law around here. Third, my work involves law, which would make things twice as wrong for me.

I never asked or discussed how to bypass any system security. You probably went in a "correlation does not imply causation" way of thinking.

Just because I mentioned that the easiest solution would be to have the password, and people in that situation generally are willing to break it, does not mean I am. Actually, if you read my message with care, you will see that I dismissed that option---fixboot of the Windows CD specifically---exactly for "obvious reasons".

Anyway, I'm sorry about this misunderstanding. I know it's up to the MODs to keep everything in good shape, that they need to "keep their radars turned on".

Best regards!

 

Do you have a vista installation dvd on hand? You could try using the "Startup Repair" utility in the System Recovery Tool.

More info here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392
http://lifehacker.com/251733/vista-tip--repair-bootmgr-is-missing-error

 

It's OK now! Renee nailed it: it should be addressed by trained personel indeed. But instead of taking it for repair or re-imaging, I gave them a call.

After some talk, he noticed I knew what should be done. I told that "fixboot" would probably solve, but I didn't do because it required the admin password. Then he told me the password and I fixed the problem. I even received a compliment since he was surprised I would know how to fix that problem.
Now let's get back to my unfinished work.

Thanks everyone!

To sum up and help (I hope) others searching for a solution, this is the problem:
- Lenovo T400.
- Custom image, OEM system of Windows XP SP3.
- "NTLDR is missing" problem after pressing the ThinkVantage button when booting the laptop.

This is how I fixed:
1- Booted the Windows XP CD SP1 (seems it does not matter if it's not SP3) I had from my other laptop.
2- Used the "(R) Repair" option.
3- It asks which Windows system I want to repair. "C:\Windows" (mine).
3- It asks for the Administrator password. I typed it and pressed [Enter].
4- A command prompt appears. I typed "fixboot" and pressed [Enter].
5- I confirmed the message with an "y", [Enter].
6- After finishing, I typed "exit", [Enter]. The computer reboots and now I have a working system.

Disclaimer: it fixed *my* problem. I'm not responsible for whatever it happens to you if you do this.