Boot.ini Bad? - Am I screwed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Confused Caren
  • Start date Start date
C

Confused Caren

Hi,
I'm new to Win2k Pro. Got an old Tecra 8000 working which has Win2k installed.
I have no win2k disk. I used partition magic 8 to copy/hide the partition to
the end of the drive so I could install win98se. When I copy win2k back to the
start of the drive and delete Win98se it fails boot with "invalid boot.ini"
message. How do I reset/repair it? Currently looks like this.

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=C:\
[operating systems]
[operating systems]


thanks
 
Not too clear what or why but try something like this;

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnt
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnt="Windows01" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\winnt="Windows02" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\winnt="Windows03" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\winnt="Windows04" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
Microsoft Certified Professional [Windows 2000]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
| Hi,
| I'm new to Win2k Pro. Got an old Tecra 8000 working which has Win2k
installed.
| I have no win2k disk. I used partition magic 8 to copy/hide the partition
to
| the end of the drive so I could install win98se. When I copy win2k back to
the
| start of the drive and delete Win98se it fails boot with "invalid
boot.ini"
| message. How do I reset/repair it? Currently looks like this.
|
| [boot loader]
| timeout=0
| default=C:\
| [operating systems]
| [operating systems]
|
|
| thanks
 
[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
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

Note: this is from the sys I'm using. It's for an IDE, not a SCSI, boot
configuration. A SCSI boot.ini is different.

The above says the W2k directory is \WINNT. Change that name if
necessary on your machine.

The "multi...partition(1)" lines say the system directory will be found
on the IDE primary controller, master HDD (which is rdisk 0), first
primary partition (which is 1). Change those last 2 values if necessary,
on both lines.

A tip: take an empty floppy. Put 3 files on it:
ntdetect.com (from any W2k machine)
ntldr (from any W2k machine)
the above boot.ini
Set BIOS to boot from floppy,
If the boot.ini on the floppy points to the right HDD/partition/sysdir,
and the W2k in that dir is operable (not corrupt), the boot will be
successful and W2k will start properly.

It's a bit easier to edit/adjust boot.ini on that floppy than on the
HDD. Once you get W2k booting from that floppy, copy the good boot.ini
from the floppy to the HDD. Set BIOS to boot from HDD. Boot again to
make sure all is well. If it is, put that floppy in a cool dark place
with your birth certificate and mad money.

Post back in this thread if the above doesn't work, or if you discover
W2k is corrupt for some reason, or if all this is gibberish.
 
"Dave Patrick"
Not too clear what or why but try something like this;

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnt
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnt="Windows01" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\winnt="Windows02" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\winnt="Windows03" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\winnt="Windows04" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"
Click to expand...

That did it, I'll play with it a little. Much Thanks.
 
You're welcome.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
Microsoft Certified Professional [Windows 2000]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
|
| That did it, I'll play with it a little. Much Thanks.
|
|
 
Dan Seur (e-mail address removed)
[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
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

Note: this is from the sys I'm using. It's for an IDE, not a SCSI, boot
configuration. A SCSI boot.ini is different.

The above says the W2k directory is \WINNT. Change that name if
necessary on your machine.

The "multi...partition(1)" lines say the system directory will be found
on the IDE primary controller, master HDD (which is rdisk 0), first
primary partition (which is 1). Change those last 2 values if necessary,
on both lines.

A tip: take an empty floppy. Put 3 files on it:
ntdetect.com (from any W2k machine)
ntldr (from any W2k machine)
the above boot.ini
Set BIOS to boot from floppy,
If the boot.ini on the floppy points to the right HDD/partition/sysdir,
and the W2k in that dir is operable (not corrupt), the boot will be
successful and W2k will start properly.

It's a bit easier to edit/adjust boot.ini on that floppy than on the
HDD. Once you get W2k booting from that floppy, copy the good boot.ini
from the floppy to the HDD. Set BIOS to boot from HDD. Boot again to
make sure all is well. If it is, put that floppy in a cool dark place
with your birth certificate and mad money.

Post back in this thread if the above doesn't work, or if you discover
W2k is corrupt for some reason, or if all this is gibberish.

Confused said:
Hi,
I'm new to Win2k Pro. Got an old Tecra 8000 working which has Win2k installed.
I have no win2k disk. I used partition magic 8 to copy/hide the partition to
the end of the drive so I could install win98se. When I copy win2k back to the
start of the drive and delete Win98se it fails boot with "invalid boot.ini"
message. How do I reset/repair it? Currently looks like this.

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=C:\
[operating systems]
[operating systems]


thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, lots to learn about my new toy.
 
Whoopee, hope it works out! [vroom vroom] :-)
Dan Seur (e-mail address removed)

[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
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

Note: this is from the sys I'm using. It's for an IDE, not a SCSI, boot
configuration. A SCSI boot.ini is different.

The above says the W2k directory is \WINNT. Change that name if
necessary on your machine.

The "multi...partition(1)" lines say the system directory will be found
on the IDE primary controller, master HDD (which is rdisk 0), first
primary partition (which is 1). Change those last 2 values if necessary,
on both lines.

A tip: take an empty floppy. Put 3 files on it:
ntdetect.com (from any W2k machine)
ntldr (from any W2k machine)
the above boot.ini
Set BIOS to boot from floppy,
If the boot.ini on the floppy points to the right HDD/partition/sysdir,
and the W2k in that dir is operable (not corrupt), the boot will be
successful and W2k will start properly.

It's a bit easier to edit/adjust boot.ini on that floppy than on the
HDD. Once you get W2k booting from that floppy, copy the good boot.ini
Click to expand...
from the floppy to the HDD. Set BIOS to boot from HDD. Boot again to
Click to expand...
make sure all is well. If it is, put that floppy in a cool dark place
with your birth certificate and mad money.

Post back in this thread if the above doesn't work, or if you discover
W2k is corrupt for some reason, or if all this is gibberish.

Confused said:
Hi,
I'm new to Win2k Pro. Got an old Tecra 8000 working which has Win2k
installed.

I have no win2k disk. I used partition magic 8 to copy/hide the partition
to

the end of the drive so I could install win98se. When I copy win2k back to
the

start of the drive and delete Win98se it fails boot with "invalid boot.ini"
message. How do I reset/repair it? Currently looks like this.

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=C:\
[operating systems]
[operating systems]


thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, lots to learn about my new toy.
Click to expand...
 
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