I cant install Windows 7 in it. The message refers to an issue with installing to a partitioned IDE drive. Microsoft help is of no value re solutions or actions (as usual).

First I have to assume that you are running Windows XP. This solution should work for other versions of Windows.
The "NTLDR is missing" error displays very shortly after the computer is first started, immediately after the Power On Self Test (POST) is complete. Windows XP has only initially begun to load when the NTLDR error message appears.
Causes of NTLDR Errors
There are a number of possible causes for NTLDR errors, including the most common "NTLDR is missing" error message.
The most common reason for this error is when your PC is trying to boot from a hard drive or flash drive that is not properly configured to be booted from; in other words, it's trying to boot from a non-bootable source. This also would apply to media on an optical drive or floppy drive that you're trying to boot from.
Other possible causes include corrupt and misconfigured files, hard drive and operating system upgrade issues, corrupt hard drive sectors, an outdated BIOS, and damaged or loose IDE cables.
How to Fix NTLDR Errors
1.Restart the PC. The NTLDR error could be a fluke.

2.Check your floppy and optical (CD/DVD/BD) drives for media and disconnect any external drives. Often times, the "NTLDR is Missing" error will appear if your PC is trying to boot to a non-bootable floppy disk, CD/DVD/BD, or external hard drive or flash drive.
Note: If you find that this is the cause of your problem and it's happening a lot, you might want to consider changing the boot order in BIOS so the hard drive with Windows installed is listed first.

3.Check the hard drive and other drive settings in BIOS and ensure they are correct. The BIOS configuration tells the computer how to use a drive so incorrect settings can cause problems, including NTLDR errors.
Note: There is usually an Auto setting for hard drive and optical drive configurations in BIOS which is usually a safe bet if you're not sure what to do.

4. Restore the NTLDR and ntdetect.com files from the Windows XP CD. Restoring these two important system files from the original Windows XP CD may do the trick.

5. Repair or replace the boot.ini file. This will prevent the NTLDR error if the cause of the problem is a boot.ini file that is not configured properly for your Windows XP installation.

6. Write a new partition boot sector to the Windows XP system partition. If the partition boot sector has become corrupt or isn't properly configured, you may receive the "NTLDR is Missing" error.

7. Repair the Windows XP master boot record. NTLDR error messages may also appear if the master boot record is corrupt.

8. Reseat all internal data and power cables. NTLDR error messages could be caused by loose or malfunctioning IDE cables.
Try replacing the IDE cable cable if you suspect it might be faulty.

9. Update your motherboard's BIOS. Occasionally, an outdated BIOS version can cause the "NTLDR is Missing" error.

10. Perform a repair installation of Windows XP. This type of installation should replace any missing or corrupt files. Continue troubleshooting if this does not resolve the issue.

11. Perform a clean installation of Windows XP. This type of installation will completely remove Windows XP from your PC and install it again from scratch. While this will almost certainly resolve any NTLDR errors, it is a time consuming process due to the fact that all of your data must be backed up and then later restored.
If you can't gain access to your files to back them up, understand that you will lose them all if you continue with a clean installation of Windows XP.

12. Replace the hard drive and then perform a new installation of Windows XP. If all else has failed, including the clean installation from the last step, you're most likely facing a hardware issue with your hard drive.
NTLDR Errors Apply To
This issue applies to the Windows XP operating system, including Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition.
Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista utilize BOOTMGR, not NTLDR.
Still Having NTLDR Issues?
See Get More Help for information about contacting me on social networks or via email, posting on tech support forums, and more. Be sure to let me know what steps, if any, you've already taken to fix the "NTLDR is missing" issue.

You may have a manufacturer recovery partion that windows installer see but it's uwriteable as it's protected. The usual partion is C:
Try again with C: as the partion, if it's not C: then look for the biggest partion, usually in Mb's.

Hi Keith Sr,

You can easily install the Windows 7 in your computer after checking and ensuring the system requirements. You can insert the Original Windows 7 OS in your drive and reboot your notebook; this will make your notebook boot from the DVD. Follow the installation wizard and after the installation, enter the product key and then register the product at the Microsoft website.

For additional information please follow the steps below.

1. Hook up the hard drive, then insert the install DVD, and boot from the DVD to start the installation.

2. Boot your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.

3. Restart your computer and then keep on tapping the F12 to enter the boot menu.

4. Refer to on screen instructions to select either CDROM/DVDROM or USB CDROM.

5. Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.

6. On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next .

-If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, please repeat step 3.

7. Once your on the Please read the license terms page, click I accept the license terms , and then click Next .

8. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom .

9. On the Where do you want to install Windows ? page, choose the partition that you want to install Windows 7 on, or click Unallocated Space if no partitions are listed, and then click Next .

10. If a dialog box appears saying that Windows might create additional partitions for system files, or that the partition you chose might contain recovery files or other types of files from your computer manufacturer, click OK .

11. Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7 , which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

Hope it helps.

Thank you for using FixYa.

Hi,
Create new partition and format ,and install.

Here is your installation guide ,you can create partition through installation.,just click on the bellow link.
XP INSTALLETIONGUIDE http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx http://www.windowsreinstall.com/articles/bios/ http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx
INSTALLETION http://www.techtalkz.com/windows-7/514412-windows-7-installation-guide-tutorial.html http://mygeekreview.blogspot.com/2009/01/installing-windows-7-step-by-step.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139824/Windows_7_installation_how_to_step_by_step http://www.windowsreference.com/windows-7/windows-7-beta-step-by-step-installation-procedure/If you need more information, reply me soon.

Thanks

According to Microsoft, Windows 7 must be installed on a primary partition. This error code means the installer hasn't found a primary partition on the target drive. The primary partition must be on the first hard drive in the boot order, and if you have more than one user partition (not counting the small drive table partition), you must install to the first user partition. Unfortunately MS doesn't seem to have a clear, comprehensive answer to the issue. I've gleaned the following from various forum responses.

For some reason the installer is date sensitive, so make sure the time and date are correct in the BIOS. Time your next install attempt so it will NOT go past midnight during the installation.

Check your BIOS settings to make sure the drive is listed as a "primary" drive (drive 0, not drive 1) rather than a secondary.

Some people have had problems with the Windows 7 installer on drives that have the Master Boot Record from previous installations. Try a FORMAT /MBR using the Windows 7 install CD. If this doesn't work,

1. Use the partition command to remove the target partition from the drive to wipe this out
2. Partition the now unused space and reformat (again!), and
   
3. If the partition command or installer has an option to set a partition as primary (or something else), choose primary (disk 0) for the partition you want to use for Windows 7.

If all else fails, use your HP Software Recovery CD to do a complete repartition and reformat. You could use the Windows 7 partition command to do the same thing, but then you would lose the HP System Recovery partition. However, if HP is marking the System Recovery partition as partition 0, it could be causing the problem. In that case, see if HP has an updated version of the CD that includes a fix for this, or do without it and turn it all over to Windows 7.

#1 Use windows backup in Windows 7 to create a full system backup of the OS to DVD or a removable drive. (And well as any data on any other partition)
#2 Repartition drive to roughtly 50 50 split
#3 Install XP to partition 1, Install 7 to partition 2 then restore the backup of 7 to partition 2,

1. If you are just setting up your computer to have an a regular HDD and Backup HDD, i would think you should be able to set that up by booting onto your computer regularly, go to start, then into My Computer and right clicking on the HDD you want to set as Raid 1.

But if just want that other HDD for Space on your computer, all you had to do was plug it in and there you go... extra space.

Now if your installing windows 7 on the other drive i would find that pointless because you already have it on your first drive unless your putting 2 operating systems onto your computer.

Hope this helps.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} To install Windows XP, use the following steps.
These steps are similar to other Windows OS installations (Vista, Windows 7).
Below is the detailed procedure of installing Microsoft Windows XP:

• Before installing Windows XP or any other operating system, you should backup all your data. Data can be backed up on a separate partition, if the hard disk is partitioned or you can back it up on external storage devices like CDs or on a network.
• Restart the computer and go to the Setup menu by pressing F2 and change the first boot device to CD, press Esc and save settings.
• Insert the CD labeled Microsoft Windows XP into the computer and restart the computer.
• When the pc restarts, a message will appear telling you to press any key to boot from CD, press a key immediately the message appears and the setup process will begin.
• After the files have been loaded, Windows will start and it will give you an option of repairing using Recovery Console by pressing “R” or continue with setup by pressing “ENTER”; press enter to continue with setup.
• Setup will list all your disk partitions, highlight the partition where you want to install Windows, this is mainly partition “C”, press “D” to delete the partition, then press “L” to confirm.
• Highlight the partition you deleted, and then press “C” to create a new partition, press “ENTER” to create the partition.
• Press “ENTER” again to install Windows on the New (Raw) Partition you have created.
• Format the partition using NTFS file system.
• After format has completed, Windows will restart and setup will prompt you to boot from CD again. Ignore the message and let setup continue automatically.
• Follow the next steps which will ask you to setup the system Time and Date, Network and enter a serial key, until setup finishes.
• After setup has finished, Windows will restart and will welcome you for the first time; Microsoft Windows XP will have successfully been installed on your computer.

Make sure to back up the registry before modifying it. For more information about the registry, refer to your Windows documentation or contact Microsoft.

1. Choose Start > Run.
2. In the Open box type Regedit and click OK.
3. Browse to the following keys:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
4. Verify the drive, path, or variables are valid for each of the keys.
   For each of these keys on the right hand side there is a Data column. Each entry that refers to a variable or a path name - each value needs to refer to a valid drive, path or variable. These path names may be unique to your individual PC - to restore the defaults it may be necessary to examine a known working machine, or contact a Microsoft Windows technician for additional help.

try other memory or if you have 2 dimms take one out and try same to both dimms