NTLDR is missing error - how to fix?

Hey everyone, I’m hoping someone here might have run into this before because I’ve been searching everywhere and coming up totally empty... So, basically, I was cleaning out some files on my computer, and when I went to reboot, I got slapped with an "NTLDR is missing" error screen. I tried looking for a fix online, but nothing seems to work for me...
1. I'm running a cracked version of Windows XP, so I don't actually have an official installation disc handy.
2. I can't get into Safe Mode; hitting F8 does absolutely nothing.
3. I checked under advanced BIOS features -> boot sequence, and I see "1st Boot Device" and "2nd Boot Device." I tried swapping them around thinking that might help, but no luck—even though I saw a YouTube tutorial where that supposedly fixed the issue for someone else.
Please, if anyone knows what to do, help me out!
Thanks...

Just download Windows XP or borrow a disc, there isn't really any other way...

Then you can run fixmbr and fixboot—I've got some instructions right here for you:
http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/fix-mbr-xp-vista/

Look, this doesn't guarantee anything will actually work... it all depends on how badly those system files are trashed.
If that doesn't cut it, your next move is Windows Repair, but for heaven's sake, back up your data first. It would be a smart move to boot from a Linux live DVD—maybe something like Linux Mint—so you can just grab your important files from the hard drive and toss them onto a thumb drive or an external disk. Honestly, though, this might be a bit too technical for you, so maybe find someone nearby who actually knows what they're doing.
I can't promise that the repair tool will just fix the corrupted files either... sometimes those things just end up wiping out your important data entirely.

I actually had Lazesoft Recovery Suite on a USB drive and gave it a shot... but nothing worked. Thanks for the reply, I guess, but how am I supposed to download anything when I'm stuck staring at a black screen that won't budge?
I'll just take it down to the local repair shop. Thanks anyway...

At least things aren't as bad on my end—if one machine craps out, I just pull tools and whatever else I need from the others...

Anyway, Windows XP is what, sixteen years old now? It’s ancient. They stopped pushing updates ages ago, so you're basically flying blind. If you can, I’d try to get Windows 7 on there instead... maybe kill off all the extra fluff like Aero to keep the thing snappy. Seems a bit safer, and honestly, just better...
Or, you know, maybe just think about buying something new?

Take a look at this page; it might actually be useful for you.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm

I managed to sort it out by jumping into the BIOS and manually setting the local hard drive as the primary drive. Honestly, I have no idea why the boot priority shifted on its own in the first place. 🤷