Cannot create boot.ini file. "NTLDR missing"

Hello,
I'm having troubles booting after moving a hard drive to a new computer. I'm getting the infamous "ntldr missing" message. After I booted with a floppy, I tried creating a boot.ini file along with copying the ntldr and ntdetect files from the WinXP CD to the C: drive. The ntldr and the ntdetect copy ok but the boot.ini file won't show up. Whenever I try to create a new file, I get an error message saying the file already exists. The problem is I can't see it. I've changed the folder options to show hidden files, I've even done a search for it. I've recopied and overwritten it. Still nothing. Am I missing something simple here?

The system I'm upgrading is a Dell Optiplex, 900Mhz, 256MB, 20 gig. Upgraded from Win98 to XP HE. Still using FAT32... if it matters

Thanks for your help
Hammer

 

I tried the repair once already. I'll give it another shot. I'll let you know.
Hammer

 

The boot.ini is a hidden file. If you're running from a command line you need to use attrib to remove the hidden attribute in order to be able to see it. At the command prompt type attrib -h c:\boot.ini. If you get an error about attrib missing you'll have to change to the windows\system32 folder and then run the command from there.

 

A Repair Install is confusing if you have never done one.
follow these steps to the SECOND REPAIR OPTION as indicated from -->

http://motherboard.windowsreinstall...Place Upgrade to force hardware re-detection:




Boot the system from the WinXP CD. Have your CDKEY ready.

Select the "Install" option. (Don't select repair! The first repair option only verifies XP files against the XP CD versions and makes no system setting changes).

Setup will find the XP install that is already there and ask if you wish to repair it. Say yes.

Setup will run the upgrade code that will re-enumerate the hardware and set itself to boot from the new controller.
Install newer drivers as needed.

 

As a tech i never "upgrade" OSes. It never works out for some reason or another, and is never as good as a fresh install of an OS. I suggest backing up your data by putting your disk into another PC (use a tech if you cant do this) and at the same time you can scan the disk for errors.

Boot from the XP CD, and if it isnt doing this, check your BIOS settings and see that they are allowing you to boot from the CD as the first boot device. If set then you usually have to hit a key (i use space bar) when prompted just after the POST, to boot from the CD. Some PCs will just boot from a CD anytime a bootable CD is put in the CD drive, some won't without doing what i just said.

Once booted to CD, format the disk as NTFS when asked, and install fresh. Dont use the antique FAT32 file system, there is no advantage, all my software and games, including some older ones, run fine on NTFS.

If you use an upgrade version of XP, you dont need to have a prevoius OS installed on the disk, only the CD for it, and when asked provide the path to your CD drive.