Loader error 3 in W2K

[Veronica]

I have a Dell Latitude C600 and recently got my motherboard replaced and when I tried booting up I got the following error :

Windows 2000 could not start because of an error in the software. loader error 3. Any suggestions?

[Mntsnow]

Welcome to XPC Veronica!

As for the loader error are you using a drive overlay? (a program that allows a larger than normally supported HD to be used).

Does this error occur if you try to boot up in safe mode?

Has this error occurred ever since the Motherboard change? if not when..what were the circumstances just prior to the problem (Ie power outage etc)

[lcruisader]

This exact same error occured on a Compaq Armada E500. Our user is Over seas and unable to help other than by phone. We will attempt to send a Windows 2000 cd and do a repair and see where we are then. I'll keep you all posted as to what fixes this problem. F.Y.I no parts where replaced that would have caused this error. However I am led to believe that the NTLDR is damaged. Ha, we are uncertain if the HD is fat32 or NTFS. Not that it really matters, but...Puzzler...

[lcruisader]

Replacing the NTLDR file worked. Get yourself a windows 2000 cd
Boot up the computer from the cd.
Once at the c: prompt do the following
The commands in the quotes are what you should type. Do not actually type the quotes. The enter after the quotes is the key you should press to execute the command.

type "cd .." enter (this will take you to the root of the c:\ drive)
"ren ntldr ntloader" enter
"d:" enter (changes to your cdrom drive)
"cd i386" enter
"copy ntldr c:\" enter
"exit" enter

Eject the cd and your good to go.

[vcohen_1]

This is very strange : I hace a Dell Latitude C600 and got the same error.
I have checked and replaced the files NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM and boot.ini but it didn't solve the problem !

Help me please.

Vincent.

[streetskater]

NTLDR can certainly be responsible for errors in the same ballpark as Loader error 3. I haven't seen that particular one from NTLDR but I sometimes see something like "unable to load winnt\system32\system..." or something similar indicating a problem finding the Registry files.

Loader Error 3 tends to happen a little earlier in the process --for example if your hardisk partitions have changed letter id's or more essential characteristics since the registry was created. Then the information in the System file of the Registry will not be in synch with your actual hardware layout and Windows is flat out unable to load essential device definitions n stuff.

The bottom line with loader error 3 is a problem with the Registry file called system. If you are able to overwrite that file with a good backup--which you can only do from a boot source external to the one flagging the error--like from another bootable partition or from a utility like Winternals ERD --which boots from CD, then you'll be back in business.

[PVerspeek]

Hi,

Got today same problem on a Dell Latitude C840 with Windows 2000 SR-2. Tried installing an Adaptec USB2 PCMCIA card (model AUA-1420).

Initially card was recognized by Windows automatically as a Nec USB host. Then deceided to update the drivers to the latest Adaptec ones delivered on cdrom. Windows recognized new drivers as better ones then current ones, and replaced all.

Needed to restart, that's were errors started.

Same error message as above. Windows can not start, due to blablabla. Loader error 3. Contact support.

First I tried replacing NTLDR with a good one, of one of the other machines. Worked fine. Everything looked ok, deceided to reboot one more time, to show user everything is fine.

Same error. GGrrrmmmbbblll

Tried several ways to start up. Save mode, VGA mode, last known config, all same problem. Suddenly I got the screen where line / line drivers are loaded. He got stuck at the AGP440.sys driver. Booted from Dosboot with NTFS Pro, and renamed file to AGP440.SY_ Restart ok.

Then deceided to remove the USB drivers of Adaptecs card. Seemed to go ok, had to restart. NOK.

Don't know what to do now. can't even get the system to reboot safe by loading driver / driver...

Thanks

Pascal
Belgium

[PVerspeek]

Located the problem. Caused by driver of Adaptec cd. Succeeded in starting Windows in complete save mode. Downloaded latest video driver for device, installed and restarted. OK. Downloaded newest driver for Adaptec USB-2. installed, restarted. ok.

Thanks anyway guys

Pascal