[RESOLVED] Root Directory of "C"

[pipercub]

Hi,
One would think I would know this but how do I get to the "root directory of C" to find "boot.ini", "NTLDR" and NTDETECT.COM" please? I have the message NTLDR is missing. Press control-alt-del to restart. In searching the forum I was told to copy these three files unto a cd or floppy.

Thanks

[Midknyte]

C: is the root directory.

Are you sure there isn't a floppy or CD in the drive?

You could boot to recovery console from the XP CD or even do a repair install.

Sounds like you have bigger problems. What's the back story?

[pipercub]

Thanks for the reply.

I had formatted the hard drive and was installing the windows updates and had installed AVG. Then I obtained the files from ABIT because I did not have an installation CD. And when I did install one of the files, I can't remember which one, it asked me to restart the computer and that is when the message came up "NTLDR is missing". So I tried to get to the recovery console of the XP CD but I could not access it or a repair install. I don't know why I couldn't get those choices as the CD just wanted to install XP again and only gave me the choice of what partition to install XP on. So, I have another computer with XP on it and went to the "C" drive and tried to find those three files with no luck. I did a search making sure to open all the hidden files. They wern't there. I'm asking myself how can they not be there? Why can't I find them? The "C" drive is the root isn't it? I must be missing something.

[foxy]

They're right near the bottom of the file list, and ntldr has no extension.

[Ridgerunr]

If your very sure you have gone into 'folder options'/'view' button and have everything hidden set to show in the C:\ folder,you should see these files.

If not, you can run system file check to fix any system files. To do this, have your Windoze CD handy and go to Start>run and type in: sfc /scannow (with the space between c and /). Click ok or hit enter to run it. It will ask for your CD many times,so be patient. When done,reboot. Then check to see if the files are now in the C:\ folder...

[Midknyte]

So you just did a fresh install? Why? Did you check that your hardware was good first?

Did you use a slipstreamed SP3 disc? SP2 at least?

We can go hunting for ntldr and other boot files, but that might be a sign of a bigger problem.

[SpywareDr]

... how do I get to the "root directory of C"

1. If you are already on drive C:, simply type:
   cd\
   and press [Enter].
   
   
2. If you are on a drive other than C:, the old way to do it is to first type:
   c:
   and press [Enter], and then, if you're not in the root directory of drive C:, type:
   cd\
   and press [Enter].
   
   
3. With newer Windows OSs, if you are on a drive other than C: you can also use the single command:
   cd /d c:\
   and press [Enter].

[SuperSparks]

Or you can use cd.. to move up a level each time until you get to the C:\> prompt:

[foxy]

Unfortunately, PC users have been trained by online help desks and the Geek Squad to format every time there's anything wrong with the system.

[pipercub]

Thanks for all of the replies! Dear old Comcast did something to the service last night and I couldn't get back on the internet until today. So I just reinstalled XP and everything works. My XP disk is SP2 to answer that question. I have no idea what a "slipstreamed SP3" is. Maybe if I explain how I look for the files it will help. From "start" to "My Computer" to under "hard disk drives" then click on "local disk drives" "C" drive comes up and I click on that. I also tried on the bar just above "Systems Task" typing C:\. I did do Ridgrunr's suggestion and couldn't find the files. Hope this helps.

[foxy]

If you couldn't find those files, then you didn't unhide the system files. You've reinstalled XP completely again, or did a repair install? Is your data backed up?

[Midknyte]

Slipstreaming would integrate the service pack onto the installation disc.
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/u...streamer.shtml

ntldr, boot.ini etc are hidden system files, so you would have choose to show hidden files and system files.

Tools - Folder options - Show hidden files and folders
AND
uncheck hide protected operating system files

[pipercub]

To answer foxy's question yes I did a reinstall and I did back up all documents first. I learned that the hard way when Big John was around. I followed Midknyte's instructions and there they are!!!! All three of them! I am for sure going to print this and make a CD with the files on it. Thanks for all the help!

[foxy]

pipercub--

Many problems can be solved without doing reinstalls. Keep us in mind next time before going through all that.