I have Windows XP and my "start-up" file has been corrupted. Fortunately, I have a CD which allows me to boot from my A drive.

Is there an easy way to repair the start-up file on my hard drive without reinstalling Windows XP?

Thanks...

Any number of reasons your computer won't boot, do you get any messages ?

What version of XP do you have ?

Have you tried booting to last known good configuration?


If your computer is running, shut down Windows, then turn the power off.
Wait 30 seconds, then turn the computer on, and begin tapping the F8 key.
The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. (If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again).
Select Last known good configuration using the up/down arrow keys.
Press Enter.
Log on to your normal account.


Have you tried doing a System Restore?


Could be your Boot.ini file has got corrupted.


Click Start > Run type Notepad then click OK.
This will open a blank Notepad document.
Click File > Open and Navigate to C:\Boot.ini (you'll need to set Files of type to All Files to see it).
Double click on Boot.ini to open it in Notepad.
Save as Boot.ini Copy.txt to your Desktop.
Copy paste the contents of that file to your next post please.


DO NOT CHANGE YOUR BOOT.INI FILE IN ANY WAY, JUST COPY AND PASTE IT BACK HERE.

Error Message:

NON-SYSTEM DISK OR DISK ERROR
REPLACEMENT AND PRESS ANY KEY WHEN READY

I don't know how to check which version of XP I have.

I did what you said and I no longer have a Boot.ini file.

I will try booting to last known configuration when I return tonight.

The error you are getting is because there is a disk in your floppy or CD drive.

Depending on how your BIOS is set up, it will look in your other drives before trying to boot from your hard drive, if it finds a disk it will try to boot from it. If its not a system disk, then it will give you that error.

Remove any disks from your floppy or CD/DVD drive and try again.


To check which versions of windows do the following.

Right click on My Computer
Click Properties
In the General tab it will tell you which version.

When searching for your boot.ini file with Notepad did you set file types to all files, if not you won't see the Boot.ini file (by default Notepad only shows txt files).

You do have one, or you would not be able to boot at all.

Gary,

I've got Windows XP Version 2002 Service Pack 2

I unplugged all external connections to my computer and made sure nothing was in my CD drives.

I shut down and restarted. Error: Non-system disk or disk error. Replace and press any key when ready.

I then restarted (with startup CD in F drive - this CD was given to me by a friend). I then restored my computer to an earlier date when I knew I wasn't having the problem. When the computer restarted I got the non system disk error as above. I then restarted the computer with the CD in F and returned to today's set point.

I then went looking for the boot.ini in C drive. I still couldn't find it....see attachment. I then looked for boot.ini as a search function in explore and only found boot.ini.backup in C:windows\pss. I then pulled up this boot.ini.backup in the note pad and got:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

And still have the boot up problem from my hard drive.

Should I copy the boot.ini.backup to C?

Looks like you diagnosed it right. Without boot.ini, you won't boot. Just make sure your OS is on that partition (usually 1 unless you have a hidden partition with diagnostic tools like what Dell's like to do). If so, the the 2 that yours show is probably correct. Best to open up Computer Management (if you have XP Pro that is) for partition info.

Another thing you can try to do is fix your boot by booting with your OS CDR and choosing the R (repair) option and going to the DOS prompt and at the prompt, run Fixboot.

As a side note, if you have some additional strangeness with bootup, see the artical from Fred Langa below. :)

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=185301251

Ikroll..

Hmm...not sure I understand these partitions. I know I have a C and a D drive partitioned on the hard drive. Not sure what the 2 is that you refer to.

So copying the back up that is in Windows\pss to C is not a fix for the problem? I must fix the boot via repair?

Do not copy your backup to C:\ we have yet to establish your Boot.ini is missing.

There are a number of things that can cause the symptoms you're experiencing.

OK, another way to find and open your Boot.ini file.

Right click on My Computer
Click Properties
Click on Advanced tab
Go to Startup and Recovery and click Settings
Click the Edit button
This will open your Boot.ini file
Copy paste it back here please.



One other thing you could check, might save a bit of time. Can you check the cable to your Hard Drive is properly connected at both ends, and that the cable looks good.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn


I have an internal drive...so I assume you want me to remove the casing and check my connections...I will do that today.

Well its not a problem with your Boot.ini file, that looks fine as far as I can tell.

Problem is down to a few things.

BIOS not seeing your hard drive.
No bootable partition on your hard drive (or its been corrupted).
Drive Cable loose or faulty.
Faulty hard drive.

Most likely it's a cable has come loose, hence having you check that.

The rest are difficult for me to diagnose from here. Hardware is not really my area of expertise, I'm OK hands on, but talking you through would be difficult and would give a large chance of borking your machine totally.

Best place I know of for online help of that sort is PC Pitstop, if they're busy Virtual Dr is a good alternative.

Hardware Support Forums
PC Pitstop (http://www.pcpitstop.com)
Virtual Dr. (http://www.virtualdr.com)

Gary thanks for your help. If I get this resolved I will let you know what I did.

Hi Gary.

I think this error is possible if Command.com is missing or corrupt?

Also If MBR has gone bad (fixmbr)

Just a thought.:blank:

Ken.

Ken...how would I check for either possibility? What is the MBR?

Hi Skydog.

I posted my comments to Gary because he knows more about this stuff than I do.
I just threw in a couple of suggestions because I do think a virus infected or corrupt command.com can cause this error.

I would suggest you wait for a response from Gary before acting my suggestions.

MBR is the Master Boot Record. An important area of the hard disk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_boot_record


My Boot.ini is

Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

but yours should still be ok.


Do you remember installing any programs at the time things went wrong?

Ken.

As Ken says, your problem can be caused by a corrupted MBR (Master Boot Record) on your Hard Drive. Don't know about Command.com causing this problem, that's a new one on me.

Corrupted MBRs used to be caused by Boot Sector viruses, but they haven't really been common for quite some time. They used to be installed when exchanging files by means of floppy disks was common practice. Since that practice is no longer common, it's unlikely you've been infected. Besides disk boot sectors are now much more protected than they used to be, so BS viruses have pretty much died out.

Course there can be other reasons your MBR got corrupted.

Corrupted MBRs can sometimes be fixed using Recovery Console on your Windows Install disk. This is not without risk, and you could bork your system by doing it.

It is not something I have any personal experience of doing, which is why I directed you towards PC Pitstop, where you will be directed by people with greater expertise than me.

Instructions for it are as follows.

Boot with the XP installation CD.

When prompted, press R to repair a Windows XP installation.

If repairing a host with multiple operating systems, select the appropriate one (XP) from the menu. If you have only one operating system, enter 1 to select it.

Enter the administrator password if prompted.

To fix the MBR, use the following command:

fixmbr

This assumes that your installation is on the C:\ drive. You will be presented with several scary warning lines the reading of which will make you want to say no. Microsoft is exceptionally vague regarding the conditions under which fixmbr can cause problems although they are clear about the consequences (losing all data on the hard drive), so use this at your own risk.

Type y and ENTER to fix the MBR.

Type exit to leave the recovery console and reboot.

As you have a 2 partition disk, the above instructions may not be completely right and I don't know enough about this to help you if things go horribly wrong from using them, I still recommend you to contact PC Pitstop.


Ken, the reason your Boot.ini is different to skydog's is that your disk is not partitioned, his is. It's also XP Pro his is XP Home.

Hi Skydog.

And here
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000715.htm

Are the instructions to replace Command.com.

But, as Gary mentioned, these steps are not without risk.
It would be sensible to have a backup of your data before attempting either of these repairs. And it may be worth waiting for a response at PCPitstop before attempting them.

Good Luck.
Let us know if you find the problem.

Ken.

Okay...off to pitstop

The day the problem started I downloaded a new upgrade to itunes 7.3 (I did not reboot after this installation) and at another time during the day I lost power (my computer was idle). Since then, I've had the problem.

An uncontrolled stop (as caused by a power outage) could conceivably have caused disk damage, though modern disks are not as prone to head/disk contact as they once were.

Can't see that an iTunes update would be suspect, as long as it's from a legit update source.

Yesterday was Friday the 13th wasn't it.
I took my computer to a knowledgeable computer friend yesterday and he suggested an XP repair - the repair ended up as an XP installation which wiped out the everything I had on my hard drive -programs, favorites, fonts, plugins, you name it (fortunately, I didn't lose my photos - these are on an external drive). I guess you can imagine how I am going to spend my weekend and I feel I can get it all back. It's just those little freebees I've picked up over the years that I may not be able to find again).

So...after the installation and the wipe out the computer still would not boot and we still could not understand...then we looked. I have a closed partition on my computer that has an old floppy drive. It seems my son was recently home and installed the floppy and never removed it. When my power when off last week and the computer tried to restard when the power came back on it got hung up on this floppy. If I had only looked in this drive I could have avoided this whole @#$!@ problem. I haven't used that drive in years and I forgot it was even there.

Gary and others...thanks for the help...sometimes it's just those little things...

I did say check your floppy drives :wink:. However I can see how you might have overlooked it (bet you check them all next time :tongue: ).

A hard lesson to learn though. Might I suggest a cattle prod is the most painful way to admonish your son. :) :).

Thanks Gary...no I have a good kid...just stupid errors all around. I totally forgot about that drive. As mentioned, it is at the bottom of my tower behind a flip down panel...I never go there. Today is painful trying to reload and remember all that was lost. I've been wanting to clean up my hard drive!

Hi Skydog

A tough and time consuming lesson.

An 'expert' should have spotted this straight away.

On most PC's it is possible to switch off 'boot from floppy' in the bios to avoid this problem ever happening again. (It would also speed up the boot process and make your PC more secure)

You will need to check your computer's manual on the procedure to do so (as each computer is different), but typically you can either disable the A: drive's boot ability, or set the computer's boot sequence from A:-C: to C:-A, that is, boot from the hard disk first.

Or you may wish to wedge the cattle prod into the floppy drive slot:)

Hope this helps

Ken.

Thanks Gary...no I have a good kid...just stupid errors all around. I totally forgot about that drive. As mentioned, it is at the bottom of my tower behind a flip down panel...I never go there. Today is painful trying to reload and remember all that was lost. I've been wanting to clean up my hard drive!

Only kidding about the cattle prod :) , don't suppose for a moment what happened was deliberate.

Been there with the reloading, it's always a pain and it's always amazing just how much stuff you forget you've got until you lose it.

Luckily I'm fanatically organised about keeping all my software installers, and backing up all the stuff I use regularly. I have stuff backed up to USB drives and secondary DVD backups just in case of problems with the USB drives.

All my personal files and pics are backed up to archive quality discs and I usually have hard copies of all the pics as well (or at least all the ones I'm bothered about).

At least you didn't lose your pics, so every cloud does have at least in some part a silver lining.

weekend nightmare...just had to share...

Points often discussed on formum
Always have a backup. - for my photos, fortunately, I keep two.
Always backup your favorites
Create a restoration DVD of you system
Keep a log of all your programs, plugins and serial keys
Keep organized copy of all programs and updates - you never know when a someone goes out of business.

Quick summary: 74 Windows upgrades and 63 Sony V10 computer upgrades for factory installed software...this took most of Friday and Sat morning.

After upgrades and restoration, I realized all the original software was not there. Upon search the web for the software (which is no longer available) I found that Sony had a probem with the restoration CD and a patch was available on the Sony website. I had to download the fix, create a new restoration CD (2 hours) restore and then download 74 window upgrades and 63 Sony V10 computer upgrades. On top of all this, I made another fatal error...I failed to unplug my external hard drive (backup) when I did the restore. The restore corrupted my external drive...my computer now wants to reformat my drive but I feel confident that the data is there, I just now have to figure out how to get it - again thankfully i have two backups...but I am missing some favorite music which is on the corrupted backup drive. That was basically my weekend...now on to uploading all the my software and plugins,etc.

I don't wish this experience on anyone...

On the positive side, I have clean internal drives and I'm now better organized!

Owwww!

I feel for you. Hope you had a fast connection for all your updates, it'd take me days with the wet string connection I've got.

It wouldn't really cos I'd use my brother in laws connection to DL them and then blow em to disk, he owes me for all the times I've fixed his box.

Painful news for your external drive though, always, always, always check the small details before hitting the go button (100% hindsight is a wonderful thing), but I bet you never need telling that in the future.

Still now you're organised any future mishaps won't seem so bad (lets hope you don't have any).

After two weeks I'm about 95% back. Another suggestion...save all upgrades of any software to a "backup program upgrade folder" and make sure the upgrade is clearly identified...trust me...it will save you a lot of time if you have this folder.

I made one other FATAL mistake. When I did a "system restore" which took my computer back to the state when it was first purchased, I failed to unplug my 500 GB external "backup" hard drive. When I restarted the computer, the hard drive was no longer acknowledged. The computer wanted to format it. This I didn't do!..I knew the data was still there. I just had to find a way to access it. I have gotten hold of a RECOVERY PROGRAM which has allowed me to retrive all my photos and mp3s. The downside is that nothing is organized or identified. Is any one alway of a RECOVERY PROGRAM that also identifies the item...like an mp3..I've lost the name of the song, the artist and the album.

http://www.cgsecurity.org/

If you know of something better let me know. This software was "free" and did find all recover all my files...however...nothing was identified or dated.

>>>>> The computer wanted to format it. This I didn't do!..I knew the data was still there. I just had to find a way to access it.

The drive couldn't be treated as a new hardware addition? I've never added a hard drive to a system, but it must be a simple task.

My computer no longer acknowledges the data on the drive. I believe the drive's allocation table must be corrupt.