XP Upgrade unable to access c:\boot.ini

I am attempting to upgrade from XP Home to Pro so I can use remote desktop. When the upgrade starts I get the following error: Setup was unable to access you existing boot configuration file, C:\BOOT.INI
It then tells me to go into the Recovery Console and choose the option to repair/recover my boot & configuration files. Since I’m not an advanced user I’m leary of going in there and making any changes. How can I be sure that I’m not changing anything that will keep my system from opening as it says it might MS help? Can anyone give me the steps I should take to get this ini file open or installed so the upgrade can go forward?