[skydog]

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...

[Gary Richardson]

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.

[skydog]

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.

[Gary Richardson]

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.

[skydog]

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.

[skydog]

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

[lkroll]

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...leID=185301251

[skydog]

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?

[Gary Richardson]

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.

[skydog]

[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.

[Gary Richardson]

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
Virtual Dr.

[skydog]

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

[Cameraken]

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.

Ken.

[skydog]

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

[Cameraken]

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.