How many times did I tell you not to touch that?



One of your users has managed to delete the NTLDR file in the root directory of their Windows XP computer, and now it starts with the message, “NTLDR is missing.” Which of these would be the best way to resolve this issue?

A) Run fixboot from the recovery console

B) Reinstall Windows from the original media

C) Bypass the startup message with F8

D) Start the recovery console and manually copy NTLDR to the hard drive

E) Someone needs a stern talking to


The answer: D) Start the recovery console and manually copy NTLDR to the hard drive

NTLDR is just a file, but without it the operating system won’t load. And without the operating system, you can’t access the file system! With the recovery console, you can boot a command prompt and replace the deleted file.

Want to know more? Watch “Troubleshooting Error Messages.”

Understanding the error message from your computer can be an important step to resolving the issue. In this video, you’ll learn how to troubleshoot and resolve boot errors, resolve operating system startup problems, and gather information using the Windows Event Viewer.