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Tomster2

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13 years ago

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Tomster2

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May 24th, 2013 14:00

Latitude E6500 Windows 7 Pro ntldr is missing

1) What is the key sequence to restore the factory image?

 

2) I am asking question 1 because this machine had a virus... which upon rebooting to complete removal the machine would show the windows moths flying around and coming together, than a fast flash of a blue screen with white letters, then it would begin to boot again... in an endless loop.

Attempting safe mode gives the same loop.

Running a repair install - which failed - but provided details that said "bad patch" and it was unable to repair.

Had several system restore points, but they all threw errors as being corrupted.

Ran hardward diagnostics and everything passed... but still no boot.

I then restored a Ghost image, but upon booting I got the dreaded ntldr missing - press ctrl-alt-del to reboot.

I have tried various steps as outlined in other threads FixMBR and others... but no success. ntldr missing persists.

I have fixed this problem on other machines in the past, but this one is resisting all efforts.

Suggestions welcome.

  • Senthil S

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    Posted May 24th, 2013 15:00

    Hi Tomster2,

    Since you have installed a Ghost image in the system, it may not be possible to successfully implement the Dell PC restore (factory default settings), the next best option is to re-install the operating system using the disc.


    Retired

  • Tomster2

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    Posted May 24th, 2013 19:00

    Any ideas why the system is throwing the NTLDR missing message, or how to fix it?

  • Bugbatter

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    Posted May 24th, 2013 21:00

    I have tried various steps as outlined in other threads FixMBR and others...
    When it comes to virus removal, it is not good to follow instructions given to others because each system is configured differently. Did you make a backup of the Dell MBR before you ran FixMBR? FixMBR will not restore any OEM specific MBR's that allow the user to boot into the recovery partition and restore the system to the factory setting. You would have needed to make the backup, clean the infection, and restore the Dell specific MBR.

  • faizalenu

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    Posted May 24th, 2013 23:00

    but because it is missing or corrupt off of the boot sector.  

  • Tomster2

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    Posted May 25th, 2013 13:00

    When I restored the Ghost image I also selected restore MBR.

  • Philip_Yip

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    Posted May 27th, 2013 04:00

    It seems the virus has stopped the factory restore and left your system in a non-bootable state.

    I would advise manual clean installation after a wipe with DBAN. For details see Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7:

    http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/ 

    Follow the optional Step 7a (wiping with DBAN).

     

  • Bugbatter

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    Posted May 27th, 2013 09:00


    Please refer to the following article for information on how to replace Microsoft software or hardware, order service packs, and replace product manuals:
    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B326246

  • Tomster2

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    Posted May 30th, 2013 12:00

    I think the main issue here is that Dell puts the boot files in a different partition.  Anyone know what the reasoning is for this?  If you do an image restore, it is basically game over.

  • Tomster2

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    Posted May 30th, 2013 13:00

    I access the data by removing the drive and using a USB drive adapter.

    Removed everyone of the partitions, created a new partition, then reinstalled.

  • Senthil S

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    Posted May 30th, 2013 13:00

    Hi Tomster2,

    I am sorry that I am not aware of this, the best option is to re-install the operating system (factory default settings) using the CD.

    Note: This will cause to lose all the data.


    Retired