text: what does "ntldr is missing" mean on a dell computer (windows xp)? when i trun on the computer ntldr is missing shows up on a black sreen and promps to: ctrl+alt+delet to restart, but the same thing shows up after it restarts.  already tried running a diagnostic test and the utilities & devises cd to try booting from it. it is fixable without reinstalling the os.  from kb article 315261:   "using the recovery console, copy the ntldr file from the windows xp cd-rom to the root directory of the current active partition. follow these steps:   1.. start your computer by using the windows xp setup floppy disks or by using the windows xp cd-rom.   2.. at the "welcome to setup" screen, press f10, or press r to repair.   3.. press c to start the recovery console.   4.. copy the ntldr file from the windows xp cd-rom to the root of your system partition by using the following commands, pressing enter after each command:     1.. type cd .. to go to the root of drive c.     note that there is a space between the d and the two periods (..).     2.. type the letter of the cd-rom drive.     3.. type cd i386.     4.. type copy ntldr c:.     5.. type exit. if the partition was not formatted by using windows, you might also need to run the recovery console fixboot command to make the active partition bootable."   you might also boot from the windows cd, press r at the first input screen.  then go to c:&#92;windows&#92;, enter in your admin password if you set one (otherwise it's blank) and then type in fixmbr and press enter.  answer y to the warning and see if that helps.