Missing BOOT.INI file

Can anyone help with this one please? -

When I switch on my PC and in the DOS booting up procedure I get a message saying:

INVALID BOOT.INI FILE
Booting from C/WINDOWS

and then booting completes and all is well. But I was trying to install XP from its master CD after having a problem with OE, it gets so far, then a message appears saying the BOOT.INI file is missing and is required to install XP.

What can I do? Where can I find that file? I'd appreciate any DETAILED help please, this is unknown territory for me.

 

We'll need to see what your existing boot.ini file contains, if indeed you have one.

Right click the "My Computer" icon and select "Properties. "

Then click on "Advanced. "

Then in the Startup and Recovery field, click the Settings button.

Then click the "Edit" button.

Copy that text to your Clipboard and Paste it into your next post here.

 

After clicking 'settings' I get a message: C:\boot.ini file cannot be opened.

Operating System and Timeout settings cannot be changed.

 

It sounds like it may be totally missing or perhaps misnamed.

It is normally located on the root of your C: drive. It's a hidden file so you'll have to adjust your system settings in order to see it.

In addition, there is often a backup copy of the bot.ini file that is named boot.bak.

If you have boot.bak, you can rename it to boot.ini and you should be back in business.

Post back if you don't find either of those files - we can build you a new one from scratch.

 

Sorry to say, but I am rather a novice in these matters. I searched for boot.bak but nothing was found. Maybe I should use some other means to find it? My guess is that boot.ini is missing

 

Do you have a floppy disk drive in that computer?

 

Yes.

 

That makes it easier!

What I want you to do is download This File. Send it to your Desktop or any other folder that you can find easily.

Then place a blank floppy in your drive and double click on that downloaded file. It will create a boot floppy for you.

Leave that floppy in the drive and reboot the computer. If your BIOS is set to read the floppy drive first, which most are by default, you will be presented with a choice menu as to which partition you want to boot. Select the first one listed. If it then boots into Windows without any error message, post back and we'll copy the boot.ini file from that floppy onto your C: drive and edit it for final usage.

Using this method, we are keeping you safe from directly editing the boot.ini file and possibly getting into a non bootable computer situation.

 

Will do, thanks. I may be little while before I get back to you.

 

Oh, dear. I had to remove the disk before it would boot up

 

What was the error message at boot?

Did the floppy get created without any error message? Format the floppy and run the downloaded file again if in doubt.

Did you get the menu at boot from the floppy? If so, try selecting the second item listed instead of the first.

 

The application is on the floppy. No problem.

No, my PC booted up in the usual way after I removed the floppy from its drive Should I press F11 when given the choice in the DOS window?

 

Non-system disk or disk error

Replace and strike any key when ready

 

What does it indicate that pressing F11 will do for you. If it is to allow you to boot from the floppy, then do so. If it is anything else, don't do it.

If your BIOS isn't set properly to read the floppy first, you may need to change the settings. That floppy should be giving you a choice menu for selecting which partition to boot.

 

That means the floppy didn't get created properly. Do it again and let's see if it can succeed. Format it first this time.

Perhaps the download was corrupt so if there is any doubt, download the file again.

I'm assuming you are creating this floppy on the same computer that has the problem. Is that correct? If not, it has to be done on a computer that is running the XP system.

 

F11 gave the floppy option first. I clicked on that and then got the same error message, so I removed the disk and it booted up as usual.

 

Okay. I'll do it again/ Yes, it is the same PC/

 

I downloaded the file again, same size etc. Disk already formatted. Same result and error message. I removed the disk and boot up took place as usual

 

What would happen if I clicked on the file on the disk?

 

Look on the floppy and tell me what files it contains. Open the boot.ini file it contains and let's see what it says.