long story short, weeks ago got ntldr missing, ctrl/alt/del to start. No discs in drive. Did not have xp discs to boot from because came preinstalled on computer. I was able to get xp back up through my old computers xp upgrade disc. Bought an external hard drive to back up someof my programs and data etc. Did a complete destructive revoery through HP (its a hp pavilion a420n). Everything was going great except some issues with someof my software working properly. Was doing an update to my roxio software today and after computer restarted, got ntldr missing again.I run spyware/virus software regularly. AHHHHH!!! NO discs in drive. Did another destrutive recovery, all came back again. Windows started doingan automatic windows update and restarted the computer and low and behold; ntldr missing ctrl/alt/del to start. Would not let me boot through xp so i am in middle of doing destructive recovery again. I am broke and the computer help people at the local stores want 100$ per hour. Do you think my hard drive is fried and i just need a new one? and if so how can i make bootable discs from my xp if i can get i back up again? tyhanks