How To Repair or Replace Boot.

ini in Windows XP

The boot.ini file is a hidden file that is used to identify in what folder on which partition and on
which hard drive Windows XP is located. Boot.ini can become damaged, corrupted or deleted
for a number of reasons and is usually brought to your attention by an error message.

Follow these easy steps to repair the damaged/corrupted boot.ini file or replace it if it has
been deleted.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Repairing or replacing the boot.ini file usually takes less than 10 minutes
Here's How:

1. Enter Windows XP Recovery Console. The Recovery Console is an advanced diagnostic

mode of Windows XP with special tools that will allow you to restore the boot.ini file.

2. When you reach the command line (detailed in Step 6 in the link above), type the
following command and then press Enter.

bootcfg /rebuild

3. The bootcfg utility will scan your hard drives for any Windows XP installations and then
display the results. Follow the remaining steps to add your Windows XP installation to the
boot.ini file.

4. The first prompt asks Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All).

Type Y in response to this question and press Enter.

5. The next prompt asks you to Enter Load Identifier:.

This is the name of the operating system. For example, type Windows XP Professional
or Windows XP Home Edition and press Enter.

6. The final prompt asks you to Enter OS Load options:.

Type /Fastdetect here and press Enter.

7. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

Assuming that a missing or corrupt boot.ini file was your only issue, Windows XP should
now start normally.
How To Restore NTLDR and Ntdetect.com From the
Windows XP CD

The NTLDR and Ntdetect.com files are important system files that are used by your computer
to start the Windows XP operating system. These files can become damaged, corrupted or
deleted for a number of reasons and are usually brought to your attention by the "NTLDR is
Missing" error message.

Follow these easy steps to restore the damaged/corrupted or missing NTLDR and
Ntdetect.com files from the Windows XP CD using the Recovery Console.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Restoring the NTLDR and Ntdetect.com files from the Windows XP CD usually
takes less than 15 minutes
Here's How:

1. Enter Windows XP Recovery Console.

2. When you reach the command prompt (detailed in Step 6 in the link above), type the
following two commands, pressing Enter after each one:

copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\

copy d:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

In the command listed above, d represents the drive letter assigned to the optical drive
that your Windows XP CD is currently in. While this is most often d, your system could
assign a different letter. Also, c:\ represents the root folder of the partition that Windows
XP is currently installed on. Again, this is most often the case but your system could be
different.

3. If you're prompted to overwrite either of the two files, press Y.

4. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

Assuming that missing or corrupt versions of the NTLDR and/or Ntdetect.com files were
your only issues, Windows XP should now start normally.

How To Restore Hal.dll From the Windows XP CD

The hal.dll file is a hidden file that is used by Windows XP to communicate with your
computer's hardware. Hal.dll can become damaged, corrupted or deleted for a number of
reasons and is usually brought to your attention by the "missing or corrupt hal.dll" error
message.

Follow these easy steps to restore the damaged/corrupted or missing hal.dll file from the
Windows XP CD using the Recovery Console.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Restoring hal.dll from the Windows XP CD usually takes less than 15 minutes
Here's How:

1. Enter Windows XP Recovery Console.

2. When you reach the command line prompt (detailed in Step 6 in the link above), type
the following and then press Enter:

3.

4. expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32

Using the expand command as shown above, d represents the drive letter assigned to the
optical drive that your Windows XP CD is currently in. While this is most often d, your
system could assign a different letter. Also, c:\windows represents the drive and folder
that Windows XP is currently installed on. Again, this is most often the case but your
system could be different.

5. If you're prompted to overwrite the file, press Y.

6. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

Assuming that a missing or corrupt hal.dll file was your only issue, Windows XP should
now start normally.