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Fix a corrupt Boot.ini on Windows XP Home

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by j genie

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Hi can someone advise me please, I need to remove a failed install of Windows XP Home.

I have followed the '10 things you can do when Windows XP won't start' downloaded from this website.
I have tracked the problem to Step 5: Fix a corrupt Boot.ini
When I set the Parameter to /List I can identify the failed install that needs to be remove but I do not know what to do next to remove it.

Can someone advise, thanks.

J

10 replies

by rob miners

Were you trying to dual boot and install to another Partition. If so use Disk Manager to remove the Partition and then recreate it. That will remove the failed install. To fix boot.ini follow the instructions below.

Insert your XP CD and when you see ?Press any key to boot from CD? press a key. Now wait for the XP installer to finish loading up and you will be presented with the option to press R to Repair.

Press R.
The next screen will ask you which Windows? installation you would like to log on to. Normally the following will be listed:
1: C:\WINDOWS

Press 1, then Enter to continue.
You may now be asked for the Administrator password. If you know this type it and press Enter. If you don't know the Administrators password it may be blank. Just press Enter or type your username and password.

At the command prompt type:

fixmbr and press Enter

fixboot and press Enter

Wait until you are returned to the Recovery Console.

Type bootcfg /rebuild

Once you are back to the Recovery Console remove the XP CD and restart your PC.

Keep us informed as to your progress if you require further assistance. ;) :D

by j genie

Hi Jacky

Thank you for your reply, sorry my information was abit thin on the ground. It's a real long and unusual srory that began with a persistant Trojan Horse and then the problems snowballed...

Yes I was installing a dual boot system on 2 hdd's and a windows setup was interrupted leaving the system intact but failing to go past setup...

I will look at you Disk Manager suggestion.

As for your 2nd suggestion I am with you down to 'Type bootcfg /rebuild' and thats the bit I get stck on, I follow the prompts but am unsure what I should be typing in?

All other boot option repairs have failed, so after your suggestions the next option is to Perform and in-place upgrade/Repair Install, I am hesitant to try this as I fear I will loose all my 'stuff' applications, programmes, emails, settings, files and folders etc... How I do not have recent backups is another long and wierd story...
Can I do this without loosing my 'stuff'?

J

by rob miners

interfere with any of your Data. If the repair option isn't successful you would be better off backing up all of your data and wiping the drive and reinstalling fresh.

by larryd4

If you have base system with a single drive and nothing like dual booting, just edit the file the command window when you recover. I would delete and recreate, here is an example of what the base boot.ini should look like...
If you copy and paste from here directly to notepad it should copy exactly how it should look, minus the annoying TR line breaks. :)

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="'Home' Windows" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

by peconet tietokoneet

Repair Install

If XP is corrupted to the point where none of the previous solutions get it to boot,
you can do a Repair Install that might work as well as keep the current settings.
Make sure you have your valid Windows XP key.
The whole process takes about half an hour depending on your computer
If you are being prompted for the administrator's password, you need to choose the 2nd repair option, not the first.

1.Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD

2.At the second R=Repair option, press the R key

3.This will start the repair

4.Press F8 for I Agree at the Licensing Agreement

5.Press R when the directory where Windows XP is installed is shown. Typically this is C:\WINDOWS

6.It will then check the C: drive and start copying files

7.It will automatically reboot when needed. Keep the CD in the drive.

8.You will then see the graphic part of the repair that is like during a normal install of XP (Collecting Information, Dynamic Update, Preparing Installation, Installing Windows, Finalizing Installation)

9.When prompted, click on the Next button

10.When prompted, enter your XP key

11.Normally you will want to keep the same Workgroup or Domain name

12.The computer will reboot

13.Then you will have the same screens as a normal XP Install

14.Activate if you want (usually a good idea)

15.Register if you want (but not necessary)

16.Finish

17.At this point you should be able to log in with any existing accounts.

I hope it works for you.

by j genie

Hi Peconet

Thanks for your helpful reply, this is the option that is near the end of my list as the others have not worked, I am concerned that this process will cause me to loose my applications, rogrammes, settings, emails, files and folders etc, as there was an odd series of problems that have left me without up-to-date backups.
Can you please advise if I can run as you advised and save my stuff too.

J

by mechanicalpc

Sorry...didn't fully read every post.

If fixboot and fix mbr didn't work...then you might want to put that drive into another working computer and get your data off it...then do a complete reload of windows.

by j genie

I will proceed and followyou helpful advice, thank you.

J

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