Hi everyone
I am new here, and i am hoping to find the solution to my problem.
I have a compaq laptop 6720S running windows XP professional, i have had the laptop for about 4 years and never had any problems with it.
Recently i wanted to do a recovery, to reinstall everything from scratch, i don't know what happened but now, everytime i switch it on, i get this error message:

"Press F1 for recovery,
NTLDR is missing,
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"

I do not have the original Windows CD with me, i am in Spain and i have left the CD in the UK!
I need to use the laptop urgently!

I have a hiren's boot CD and it has on the menu an option: "fix NTLDR is missing"
if i select that, the laptop boots ok and starts fine, although there is nothing in windows, not even internet explorer.

Also, if i remove the hiren CD and restart the PC, i'm back to same problem.
I think the HDD has been formatted...

Can someone please give an idea as to what to do to fix this? do i need the original CD?

Thanks in advance

First of all as you says you have Hiren's BOOT Cd than choose "Mini XP" Option and boot from LiveXP (PE) and see in "C" or in your System Drive ....see are there any Folders like WINDOWS,Documents and Settings,Program Files etc......if you have files there than it's not Formatted..than we will see Step two for Repairing your XP or do a Clean Install If you want

@

Don't Worry ..if you have valid license than i Provide you Original CD Image in FREE

Enjoy !

Hi
Thank you very much for your help.
I have done exactly what you said, and I checked in C drive, and there is :
Documents and settings
Program files
Windows
System recovery
Temp
......etc

Waiting for your instructions as to what to do next...

Thanks again

boot from xp cd and follow this video



you can use "map" command for Drives info

At the moment, I do not have the XP CD, but I will hopefully receive it on Monday.
I will let you know when I receive it

Thanks

If you don'thave cd than I give you cd image than. Ypu can. Burn to blank cd

Hi
Finally. i have received my original XP CD today.
I have followed your video but when i select R to repair, then select the volume C, it's asking me for admin password which i don't know...
So i am doing a fresh installation of Windows, i will let you how i get on

Thanks

you need to hit enter..leave blank that Space...but If you Backed up all data from your Pc ..than Do A Clean Install

Hi UVAIS
I did a clean install because I didn't have any important files on the laptop, I don't save anything on it, I only use it to diagnose cars..
The fresh install solved my problem and the laptop is working perfect.

Thank you very much for all your help

Your Welcome