If too many files are copied to the root folder of a boot volume that uses the NTFS file system, you may receive the following error message the next time that you restart the computer:
NTLDR is missing
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.
If you remove files from the root folder, the master file table (MFT) allocation index does not reduce to its original size.
Note If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or you are using Microsoft Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 (SP4), this is not your issue.
This problem may occur if the MFT root folder is severely fragmented. If the MFT root folder contains many files, the MFT may become so fragmented that an additional allocation index is created. Because files are mapped alphabetically in the allocation indexes, the NTLDR file may be pushed to the second allocation index. When this occurs, you receive the error message that is described in the "Symptoms" section.
Typically, files are not written to the root folder. This condition may occur if a program regularly creates and removes temporary files in the root folder, or if many files are copied to the root folder by mistake.
To resolve this problem, follow these steps.
Contents
- Introduction
- Windows Registry Basic
- Creating Backup of Windows Registry
- How to Install Windows XP on your CD/DVD/Pen drive
- How to quickly reset all the System Restore points
- How to Repair Install XP without data loss
- Installing the Recovery Console
- Giving Recovery Console access to all directories
- How to Repair a corrupt or damage Boot Sector
- Can't Start Windows XP
- "NTLDR is missing" error message
- Removing invalid entries from Add or Remove Programs
- Change the Registered Owner and Organization in the registry
- Remove or modify the arrow used on shortcuts
- How to delete a zero byte file that cannot be deleted in windows
- Fixing Windows XP forgets my folder view settings
- Jump to a registry key directly
- Disable the Windows XP Splash Screen / logo at startup
- Change the Windows Logon screen background color
- How To Change the Windows Logon Screen Saver
- Stop long delay in My Computer
- How to Use Driver Verifier to Troubleshoot Windows Drivers
- What is Spyware and Adware?
- Do your Windows need a Registry Repair Software?
- Six Criteria of a good registry repair software