Boot.ini file

I mean where is it located in the files system (i.e. I suspect system32 file? -- I deleted mine and I made XP boot disk which got my system running -- but I won't to place the file in the proper location - I can edit it -- but when I go into control panel to look at it -- nothing is their -- not even default -- except when I click the edit button.

It's a hidden file in the root directory.
C:\
Tools>Folder Options View show hidden files.

thanks for the suggestion -- but when I did that -- show hidden files, and system files I saw the old boot.ini file in the root directory with nt loader and nt detect -- I copied my backup boot.ini file to the directory -- but still when I go to control panel/advance to look at boot.ini nothing is there? I am the only user -- the only other thing I will try is log on as administrator to see if that is why it doesn't take -- but it doesn't stop me from copying to the folder -- really confused :( also the only way I can boot the computer is because I have the XP startup disk with NT loader,detect and boot.ini file -- if I pull the disk out of the a drive the computer will not boot

Well I forgot the obvious -- I did a system restore, after restore -- the Boot.ini showed up in advanced settings (control panel) Startup/recovery - where it's normally located, but computer only made it to win XP at reboot, reboot again -- did the f8 and was able to boot using last known good configuration, now it's working :)