Troubleshoot Boot.INI Corruption

Observations

You power up your computer and received one of the following error messages:

• Invalid Boot.INI
  
  
• Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Hal.dll

Possible Causes

• Boot.INI file is missing or corrupted

Resolution

These are two methods to fixing a damaged boot.ini file. These steps are for advanced users. If you are unsure, you are recommended to consult a data recovery expert.

1. Using BootCfg Command
   
   This utility scans your disk for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Windows XP installations and adds them to an existing boot.ini file. It also rebuilds the file if the boot.ini file is not detected in your computer.
   
   To start, follow these steps:
   
   
   1. Insert your Windows CD into your computer. You need to select CD as the boot device. See how to select a boot device if you are unsure.
      
      
   2. Enter Windows Recovery Console
      
      
   3. At the command prompt, type in: bootcfg /rebuild
      
      Bootcfg will now attempt to search your disks and rebuild a new boot.ini file. If you have installed more than one operating system, you will receive a message that is similar to the following:

      Totally Identified Windows Install: 3
      
      [1] C:\Windows
      Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
      Enter Load Identifier:
      Enter Operating System Load Options:

      [2] D:\WINNT
      Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
      Enter Load Identifier:
      Enter Operating System Load Options:
      
      [3] E:\Windows
      Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
      Enter Load Identifier:
      Enter Operating System Load Options:
      

   4. The example above is a result of a configuration which consists of an installed Windows XP under your C drive and Windows 2000 under D drive and Windows 98 under E drive. When asked to add installation to boot list, type in Y to add the installation to the boot list. Under the load identifier, enter the description of the operating system that is located under the corresponding partition. For example, type in: Windows 2000 to specify that the partition volume D contains a Windows 2000 installation. Under the operating system load options, type in: /fastdetect
   
   
2. Manually Editing the Boot.ini File
   
   
   1. Insert your Windows CD in your computer
      
      
   2. Enter Windows Recovery Console
      
      
   3. Type in: type c:\Boot.ini
      
      This command checks for a valid Boot.ini file. If your boot file is working fine, you should see the following:
      
      This is a default boot.ini file for a Windows 2000 operating system and may differ from your system configuration.
      
      [boot loader]
      timeout=30
      default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
      
      [operating systems]
      multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
      
      
   4. If you receive the following error messages instead of the above message being displayed, your boot.ini file is corrupted or missing:
      
      
      • The system cannot find the file or directory specified
        
        
      • File not found - boot.ini
        
        
   5. To write a new boot.ini file, follow these steps:
      
      
      • Type in: edit.com
        
        The MS-DOS editor will launch.
        
      • Type in the following and save it as a boot.ini
        
        For Windows 2000 users, type in:
        
        [boot loader]
        timeout=30
        default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
        
        [operating systems]
        multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
        
        For Windows XP users, type in:
        
        [boot loader]
        timeout=30
        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
        
        IMPORTANT: partition(1) refers to your first partition of your hard disk which Windows is typically installed on. You may need to change the value if Windows is installed in a different partition.
        
        
   6. Reboot your computer and the problem should be resolved.

Further Recommendations

The boot.ini file is a critical system file that is required during the system booting up process. The purpose of this file is to provide a boot menu so as to allow you to select from various operating systems that might be installed in your computer. By default, this system configuration file resides in the system root partition(example C:\) of your hard disk and is usually marked as a hidden file. This file contains information that NTLDR uses to display the startup menu. The startup menu is only displayed when more than one operating system is installed. Otherwise, the system typically starts automatically. Generally, it is recommended that you keep a backup of this file in a diskette or removable drive for easy restoration when file gets corrupted or infected with a virus.