I have windows vista ultimate (32). the machine im using is DELL INSPIRON 6400 (Notebook).

All of a sudden my system showed me black screen with the following message "NTLDR is missing". I have tried all the options, like loading a vista CD and running repairs, and restore points but i still get the same mesage.

Please help me out as i dont want to loose all my data.

Thanks,

sherjan.

Try loading the Command Console using the Windows Vista install CD to repair the Vista startup:

Quote:

1. Put the Windows Vista installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer. 2. Press a key when you are prompted. 3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next. 4. Click Repair your computer. 5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next. 6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt. 7. Type Bootrec.exe, and then press ENTER.

More information about this here:

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

Please let me know if this works for you.

Worked like a charm. Had to enter bootrec /fixmbr

Thanks for the proper commands.
Microsoft site didn't have this info.

its bootrec.exe and then,

the command is bootrec /fixboot

, this wasnt immediately clear to me so hope it helps

works a treat

I said it worked a treat, well it seems to have disabled media direct on my dell vostro. This isnt a big loss but one worth considering. I believe the problem in the first place is caused by the media direct partition as Vista doesnt use NTLDR. Any thoughts?

Thnx dude it works fine.

My first hard disk drive was to small and use the wdc lifeguard tool to clone my data.
After that i got the error NTLDR is missing and use these cmd and it works fine

Hi all

Information on the post for xp & vista users.

"NTLDR is missing" error message when you install or upgrade Windows XP over Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition

Simple "ntldr is missing" fix with boot floppy, CD-R, or USB flash