Missing Boot.ini file

[keithp]

Hello,

I have XP on my PC. Its 5 years old and a MESH, It works fine for me. But when it starts now, I get an error message - 'invalid boot ini file', then 'booting from windows C.'

The PC then boots fine.

Checking the microsoft site it seems that the boot file may be missing. Searching the files on the PC reveals nothing. Also the MSCONFIG program does not have the boot tab.

So I think the file is missing(?). In order to repair it, I think I have to use the XP recovery console on the XP disk. Here lies my problem...when I run this, and click R, I have to enter a password. I do not have a password. I did not add passwords to the two accounts on my PC.

Clicking the enter/ return key makes no diference and after 3 tries the PC boots up.

I have been unable to get any help whatsoever from MESH and am now quite frustrated.

Does anyone have any idea how I can resolve this? Should I reinstall XP? Do I need to do anyhting as the PC boots ok, depsite the message - albeit without my old account icons.

Any help or advice would really be appreciated.

Keith

[keithp]

Apologies - but I forgot to say:

 

PC is a MESH 2gig (2002), Windows XP home, 512 RAM, SP1,2 & 3 - nothing extra has been added - apart form a nortons upgrade to 2009 version of anti-virus.

 

Keith

 

Hello,

 

I have XP on my PC. Its 5 years old and a MESH, It works fine for me. But when it starts now, I get an error message - 'invalid boot ini file', then 'booting from windows C.'

 

The PC then boots fine.

 

Checking the microsoft site it seems that the boot file may be missing. Searching the files on the PC reveals nothing. Also the MSCONFIG program does not have the boot tab.

 

So I think the file is missing(?). In order to repair it, I think I have to use the XP recovery console on the XP disk. Here lies my problem...when I run this, and click R, I have to enter a password. I do not have a password. I did not add passwords to the two accounts on my PC.

 

Clicking the enter/ return key makes no diference and after 3 tries the PC boots up.

 

I have been unable to get any help whatsoever from MESH and am now quite frustrated.

 

Does anyone have any idea how I can resolve this? Should I reinstall XP? Do I need to do anyhting as the PC boots ok, depsite the message - albeit without my old account icons.

 

Any help or advice would really be appreciated.

 

Keith

[Jelly Bean]

Hello and welcome.

 

Look here for the fix.

 

"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer

 

JB.

[keithp]

Hello and welcome.

 

Look here for the fix.

 

"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer

 

JB.

 

Hello,

 

Thanks - but the problem is the password issue when using the recovery console.

 

See my original post.

 

Keith

[Jelly Bean]

Are you sure you are full admin on the PC?

 

Have you tried not adding a password and just continue?

[keithp]

Are you sure you are full admin on the PC?

 

Have you tried not adding a password and just continue?

 

Hi Again,

 

I created two accounts - both have admin rights. They are the accounts that appear when you switch the PC on. Neither has a password.

 

I have tried leaving the password blank and hitting return.

 

There is no 'boot file' in the C directory. Could I copy one from another PC and just add that?

 

AS the PC works do I need a boot file?

 

Keith

[Jelly Bean]

Both accounts maybe admin but one may have fuller rights than the other.

 

It is against forum rules to actualy help with password issues.

 

But I would advise you to backup all your data you wish to save and just go ahead and reinstall XP.

 

:)

[keithp]

Both accounts maybe admin but one may have fuller rights than the other.

 

It is against forum rules to actualy help with password issues.

 

But I would advise you to backup all your data you wish to save and just go ahead and reinstall XP.

 

:)

 

Ok. I will try to paste a copy of the boot file first, then if that fails try a reinstall.

 

K

[Jelly Bean]

Ok babe.