Description
After switching on your computer or after restarting Windows XP you receive the error NTLDR is compressed. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart on a black screen with white writing when trying to boot into Windows.
Symptoms
- Error appears after performing a System Restore using the Destructive Option
- You receive the following the following error message when starting or rebooting your computer:
NTLDR is compressed. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.
Explanation
The above error is appearing due to a problem with the attributes of the Windows boot files. Continue below for your solution.
Solutions
Solution 1 – Attrib NTLDR
The NTLDR file must be altered in order to clear this error and correctly boot.
- Boot into the Recovery Console
- When the console asks you to choose a Windows install to work with, enter 1 and press Enter
- When prompted, enter your Administrator password
- At the command prompt, enter the following commands, pressing Enter after each:
cd \attrib -c c:\ntldrexit
[...] Click here for the NTLDR is compressed troubleshooting guide Related Articles:Non-System Disk or Disk ErrorNTLDR is compressed. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restartNTLDR is missing. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restartMissing Operating System or Operating System Not FoundInvalid Boot.ini or Missing Windows/System32/Hal.dll [...]
those commands one after another look confusing to the average person. It should be:
at the C:\WINDOWS> prompt, type cd \
then type attrib -c c:\ntldr
if you just do attrib -c ntldr it won’t work.
Hi, Thanks for pointing that out. It was actually a problem with the formatting of the site since it was redesigned recently. I’ve updated the text now. I must check all my other posts! That could take a while
Cheers
Rosco
[...] Welcome to WindowsBBS Without an XP install CD you are in real trouble – see if you can borrow one and boot to the Recovery Console and try the fix outlined here …. NTLDR is compressed. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart [...]
Wenever u do the attrib -c c:\ntldr and press enter itcsays invalid switch – -c
anybody know how to fix this?
Hi Trevor,
The -c switch is only valid when using the Attrib command from the Recovery Console. If you are trying to use it from a regular command prompt on XP Safe or Normal mode then you will get an Invalid Switch.
Hope this helps.
R.
After I type in “attrib -c c:\ntldr” The response is :The file cannot be opened” I am using XP PRO in a Dell E6400 and I need to retrive the files on there. Please help
ntldr file missing Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restrat option show my computer.
How to install this file to my computer i tried to some step
there was a problem created admistrator password is invalid, but the password i am type the password and the computer shows this password is not valid password.
So, what i done ?
same message again i am using Window XP
I have an emachine XP that does have a restore disk although when I did a reboor with save I got the error ntldr is compressed I have tried all the steps but it won’t allow me to type the comand prompts. I can’t type anything. What can I do I need help!!!!