boot.ini problem!

Sadly after doing a reinstall Windows Xp pro and replacing all the programmes i needed on the fresh install, I made the fatal error of ajusting the boot.ini. It was showing an option to boot from two drives where only one os was present!
After doing so my system will no longer boot! i have searched online and used my installation disc to get to the recovery part and done a boot/rebuild and fix/mbr to no avail. Any help on suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I know that when i usually post here if I dont figure out the solution somebody tends to know it and my issues are resolved! Thanks in advance, Rusty

 

Hi,

It has been a while since I ran XP so I may not be able to help. What exactly error message do you get when you start the computer or what screen does it hang on?

If you use your CD to get to recovery console go ahead and use the following command to see what is in your boot.ini and post the results here at MG.

If you are at the C:\Windows prompt use the commands:

cd..
type boot.ini

If you are at the C:\ prompt then then just

type boot.ini

 

Thanks for that but command not recognised, i have attached a picture of whats coming up.

 

You need to boot with your Windows install disk to get the Recovery Console.

For that, the boot sequence in the BIOS must have the CD drive before the actual OS disk.

The Windows install disk must be in the drive when you start the computer.

 

Yes im aware of that thanks and have done that, so once there what next? I was posting up the message what i get upon boot up as asked by Sach2
Rusty

 

Hi,

The BIOS screen that you showed seems to indicate that you have lost system settings that are unrelated to an XP boot.ini error.

I think you should be able to clear that message by hitting F2 to enter BIOS. Then selecting Drive Configuration. Using the Up/down arrow keys to highlight the Diskette drive and then using the Space Bar to toggle the setting from 3.5 inch to OFF/Disabled (picture isn't exact--you want to highlight the floppy/diskette rather than the slave drive). Then hitting Esc to exit and using the function key indicated for the choice of "Save Changes and Exit". Note: This loss of settings may be related to a bad CMOS battery which is easily replaced but that can be addressed later. http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/rogierius/P1010963.jpg


So once you get passed that screen what is the message that you get? Can you hit F12 during the Dell screen to select the HD as the boot device and read the error message?

When you got the command not recognized what prompt were you at--"C:\>" or something else? You went through these 6 screens here to get to the command prompt and got the not recognized message when trying the command type boot.ini?

 

Sorry not really quite sure what your suggesting here! i will post two more pics one before I enter into Bios and the other once in. Please tell me what may need to be changed. Just to add if i dont press any key to boot from cd, the pc boots up and just displays a blank screen! Thanks

 

Hi, I need you to post what you get once Windows has started to load or anything past the BIOS screens.

So when you get the message hit F1 to continue go ahead and hit F1. Then your PC should attempt to load Windows what do you see? A completely blank screen, any Microsoft or Windows logo for a brief time, or do you have a blinking underscore cursor at the top left.

When booting from CD, you should get to the recovery console by pressing "R" for repair, and get a prompt such as C:\ or C:\Windows which prompt do you see. Try the type boot.ini command again and give the exact error message.

 

Its a totaly blank screen and heres a shot of the error at C: prompt

 

Ok you are in the Windows folder so you want to go to the C: folder.

Type the following two commands, each followed by enter. After the cd.. (cd followed by two periods) command your prompt should change to C:\>

cd..
type boot.ini

 

The command is not recognised type help for a list of supported commands is all I get!

The first thing I typed is folder to recieve the above then I tried cd.. (I presume by periods you mean full stops?) remember your talking to a novice! ;p
Then I tried type boot.ini to recieve the same.

 

Yes, periods = full stops.

Did your prompt change from C:\Windows> to C:/> after the cd.. command?

If you are at the C:/> prompt then try a dir command and see if it gives a list of files including a Windows directory. I don't need the list of files I basically just want to know if you are at the C:/> prompt.
BTW the command at the C:\> prompt includes the word "type" as you want it to print out the contents of the file.

type boot.ini

 

Sadly it didnt change it although I can get a dir from C:\Windows>

 

It should absolutely change the prompt. You are saying change directory and the .. means change to parent folder.

Try this:

type C:\boot.ini

If that doesn't work we will just use

bootcfg /rebuild to add to the current boot.ini file. You can see if that command will begin to run. Then you say "y" to add the found installation to the boot menu. For description you type anything like "Windows XP". For options you should use "/fast detect". All of these are without the quotation marks.

If that lets you boot up we can take a look at the boot.ini from Windows and edit it down to just one choice later.

 

Well heres what hapened after the first command!

bootcfg/rebuild just got the command is not recognised message.

 

Your boot.ini is not valid so you do want to do a rebuild.

I'm not sure if deleting the current boot.ini would be best or just doing a rebuild. I think we should just try the rebuild again and then worry about editing it later.

The command is specific it has to have a space between the "g" in bootcfg and the "/" so try again with:

bootcfg /rebuild

Edit: Just so you know below is a valid boot.ini file. You are missing the multi(0) parameter and also the entry under Operating systems which tells it the location of your Windows installation.

 

Ok it worked with the space and it is presenting this screen

 

Sorry, again computers are unforgiving with syntax. It must be bootcfg /rebuild where there is a space between the "g" and the "/" but no space between the "/" and "rebuild".

 

Ok its now asking add installation to the boot list so i type y what next please?

 

You type y and then it will ask for a description. You can enter anything here. Something like Windows XP is fine.

Then it will ask for options. You will use /fastdetect all one word with no space between the / and fastdetect.

 

ok it asked load identifier which i typed Windows xp now its asking Os load options.

 

The load option will be /fastdetect

 

ok I have done this and it has returned to the C:\WINDOWS> promt is that correct and do I reboot?

 

Yes, try and reboot see if it has worked.

If you want you can try type C:\boot.ini before rebooting and save a picture in case you have a problem so that we know what the current boot.ini looks like.

 

Well upon rebooot we have lift off whooo hooo Thanks for your help and for being patient and perservering! I take my hat off to you sir lol. hope you have a great evening and enjoy the rest of your week!

 

Great!

Is there only one entry on the boot screen or are you back to a choice? We can fix up the file from Windows if you want to, or leave it as is if it is booting the way you want.

 

It only has one entry which is fine as ive decided to format the other drive! Thanks again for your help!

 

Well done, guys - I applaud you for sticking with this until the end. Good job!

 

You are very welcome.