New Install WinXP Pro Sp2 on new HD...problems already?

by zmark Jun 12, 2005 8:03AM PDT

Greetings. I bought a new retail version of WinXP Pro SP2 to install on a brand new Seagate 80g Hd (presently use WinMe). I am not doing the upgrade. This is a new full install on new HD. After going through the formatting of the HD (using Seagate's software), I started install of WinXP, using the ntfs format. The very first thing that popped up on my screen was this:

NTLDR is missing
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.

So I naturally pressed CTRL+ALT+DEL--------I got a restart----only to have the very same message. I looked this message at MS support-----this is what it states:

CAUSE
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 of this article.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the Bcupdate2 utility. For more information about how to contact Microsoft Product Support Services, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/selectassist

First of all.....How can the "MFT root folder" become "severely fragmented" when there is technically NO operating system on the hard drive? I never got the chance to really begin the install.
Secondly, has anyone here had this experience and were they able to get it resolved through microsoft? Is this a forerunner of problems I may have with XP Pro SP2? I presently use WinMe, and I have been very happy with it. Thanks so much. Mark

Discussion is locked

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There's your clue.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 12, 2005 8:09AM PDT

"After going through the formatting of the HD (using Seagate's software"

XP didn't need such a step to install and by formatting in a non-native way you tripped up XP's install.

Start over and go native.

Bob

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re:

by zmark Jun 12, 2005 8:30AM PDT

Thanks for the response, Bob. This is my fisrt time installing new OS on new hd. I apologize in not understanding ''go native''...lol. Mark

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The short version.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 12, 2005 8:36AM PDT

While the long version is out there, I only need to boot the XP CD and use the installer to remove old partitions, create new ones and let XP do the formatting.

Formatting is what we did in the DOS based Windows. The rules changed so we get to learn the new ways.

Bob

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by zmark Jun 12, 2005 9:36AM PDT

thanks for your assist in this. Much appreciated. Regards, Mark

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Supplied tools often fail

by Yew Jun 12, 2005 8:10AM PDT

I've found that the programs supplied with HDDs don't really do an adequate job of formatting a partition. Best to let XP's setup program do that for you.

Since you've already formatted, and you haven't even gotten the thing to boot for the first time, there's no real harm in starting over again. This time, when you're asked where you want to install Windows, manually delete all partitions and recreate them, then format them using XP's setup program. You can use the quick format to save time. Just be sure to use NTFS, not FAT.

After which, if you get the same problem, my guess would be either your install media's bad, or your drive may be bad.

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re:

by zmark Jun 12, 2005 8:33AM PDT

thank you, yewanchors. I'm not familiar with this procedure of manually deleting all partitions and recreating them. How do I do this? Thanks, Mark

New Install WinXP Pro Sp2 on new HD...problems already?

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