NTLDR is compressed???

[Mini-Me]

Hi.

Got a computer come in with an odd error I have not seen before.

Compaq Presario S5010AN mini-tower P4 with XP.

Procedure:

1) Turn on PC
2) Machine completes POST with no error messages or other beeps
3) System tries to start
4) Message:
NTLDR is compressed.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart.

Same error over and over again, if you restart.

I am about to wipe this machine and reinstall their XP(they gave me the restore CD), but was wondering if anyone else has seen this, and perhaps there might be an easy fix rather then reinstalling...

I have seen the "NTLDR is missing" message, but have not seen this message about NTLDR being compressed before, and I don't even know why a compressed NTLDR is significant - OK, it's compressed - so what?

Could someone post what this message is actually telling me?
While I wait for any reply, I will search the net with that message - i'm sure others have seen it.
:)

ADDITIONAL:
Okey dokey, I have been able to fix the message, and get XP booting to the point where it insists on doing a file check. It now appears to be locked up checking the indexes, stage 2 of 3.

I'll leave it to it's own devices for a few hours, then check back.

I found out how to fix the problem here (http://www.madboot.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=30&topic=4.msg18;topicseen).

[mjc]

Since this is a Compaq...why not try their suggested fix?

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/fastFaqLiteDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=12455&docname=c00220758

[Mini-Me]

@ mjc: Not a fan of Compaq then? ;)

[mjc]

No, not really...:D

[Sylvander]

If there is a FDD:
Boot a Windows NT 4.0, 2000, XP or Server 2003 boot floppy disk (http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/ntboot/), and choose the partition you think holds the Windows folder.
[I ALWAYS have one of these within arms reach of my PC]

If no FDD, but instead an optical reader:
Use this ISO file made by Paul Komski (http://www.paulski.com/bootcds/bootxp.iso) to make/use the bootable CD version of the above floppy.

Once into Windows you can check on the C:\ntldr file.

"OK, it's compressed - so what?"
I assume Windows cannot read/use it if it's compressed.

Oops, just noticed you fixed it.
Worth making the disks anyway.