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From: John John - MVP on 8 Apr 2010 21:02 Colin Trunt wrote: > "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message > news:OGcvyI11KHA.5880(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >> Colin Trunt wrote: >>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>> news:O8Y2qNz1KHA.4724(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>> news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>> "Colin Trunt" <colin(a)trunt.com> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843(a)newsfe13.ams2... >>>>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:O88cbNx1KHA.6104(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I can boot either normally or to recovery as llong as I don't >>>>>>>>>> mess about to much and do it directly. >>>>>>>>> What exactly does that mean? Mess about with what and what do you >>>>>>>>> mean by "do it directly"? If the Recovery Console is installed you >>>>>>>>> get a boot menu when you boot the computer and you select to boot >>>>>>>>> the Recovery Console or the Windows installation, what is there to >>>>>>>>> mess about with there and what is there to do directly other than >>>>>>>>> selecting which option to boot? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> How many hard disks do you have and how many partitions do you have >>>>>>>>> on these hard disks? Where is the Windows installation and where >>>>>>>>> is the Command Console installed? To avoid confusion please don't >>>>>>>>> use the term "drive" when answering, use the terms "Hard Disk" and >>>>>>>>> "Partition". >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> John >>>>>>>> First I get a screen which says hit f10 for recovery, then it goes >>>>>>>> to a choice >>>>>>>> 1)windows >>>>>>>> 2)recovey >>>>>>>> 3)ubuntu >>>>>>> my boot.ini >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [boot loader] >>>>>>> timeout=15 >>>>>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>>>>>> [operating systems] >>>>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>>>> Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>>> Comes back to the question of how many hard disks and partitions do >>>>>> you have and where exactly is Windows installed. Also, where is this >>>>>> boot.ini file located? (on which hard disk and on which partition?) >>>>>> >>>>>> Also need the results of the set system command. >>>>>> >>>>>> The problem is most likely due to an incorrect ARC path in the >>>>>> boot.ini file. >>>>>> >>>>>> John >>>>> This is the boot.ini on drive d: (recovery drive) >>>>> >>>>> [boot loader] >>>>> timeout=15 >>>>> default=C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT >>>>> [operating systems] >>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>> Professional" /fastdetect >>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ah......im thinking >>>>> >>>>> I don;t know what happens at startup. >>>>> >>>>> Anyway partion 2 is c: I think and 1 is d: >>>>> When I list then in disk management they are show as d: then c : >>>>> in the bottom rigt panel >>>> Pulling a tooth from an angry lion would be easier than obtaining >>>> information from you... one more try: >>>> >>>> >>>> 1- How many physical hard disks do you have in the computer? >>>> >>>> 2- How many partitions do you have on each hard disk? >>>> >>>> 3- Please post the results of the SET SYSTEM command. >>>> >>>> Also, you are posting different variations of the boot.ini file, Windows >>>> only uses one boot.ini file. When you run the SET SYSTEM command it >>>> will return a line telling you: >>>> >>>> SystemDrive=?: >>>> >>>> (? will be C or D ...or ...) the correct boot.ini file will be in the >>>> root of the specified SystemDrive, for example C:\ or D:\ . Please post >>>> the contents of the correct boot.ini file. >>>> >>>> John >>> >>> two phyisical drives >>> one has partitios d: and c: >>> other is f: one parition f: >>> >>> There is an ini on both c: and d: as posted, they are different. >>> >>> ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users >>> APPDATA=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\Application Data >>> CLASSPATH=.;C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>> CLIENTNAME=Console >>> CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files >>> COMPUTERNAME=ZAX >>> ComSpec=C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe >>> DJGPP=c:\djgpp\djgpp.env >>> FP_NO_HOST_CHECK=NO >>> HOMEDRIVE=C: >>> HOMEPATH=\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>> LOGONSERVER=\\ZAX >>> NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=1 >>> OS=Windows_NT >>> Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;c:\Python22;C:\Program >>> Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;C:\Program >>> Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\;C:\MinGW\bin; >>> PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH >>> PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=x86 >>> PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=x86 Family 15 Model 47 Stepping 2, AuthenticAMD >>> PROCESSOR_LEVEL=15 >>> PROCESSOR_REVISION=2f02 >>> ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files >>> PROMPT=$P$G >>> QTJAVA=C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>> SAN_DIR=C:\Program Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite XII.SP2c >>> SESSIONNAME=Console >>> SonicCentral=c:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\ >>> SystemDrive=C: >>> SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS >>> TEMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>> TMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>> USERDOMAIN=ZAX >>> USERNAME=HP_Owner >>> USERPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>> windir=C:\WINDOWS >>> __COMPAT_LAYER=DisableNXShowUI >>> >>> >>> >>> c:boot.ini[boot loader] >>> timeout=15 >>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>> [operating systems] >>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home >>> Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >> Do you get a brief error message telling you that the boot.ini file is >> invalid when you boot Windows? Modify your c:\boot.ini file as such (to >> avoid errors you can copy and paste): > > > No I never get any errors on a normal boot, none whatsoever. > The only time I have had error is when I try to do a recovery, there > seems to be two paths to recovery. > > The only time I have ever got an error is when I have selected option 2 for > recovery, but 'bottled out' and decided to boot normally, this brings back > the > boot menu IIRC, and IIRC when I press 1 for a normal boot I get the hal.dll > error. That's the only time I get it on a normal boot. > > I suspect doing it that way may cause it to look on drive d: for hal.dll > and it won't find it there, as it has no windows folder on it. > > I don't recall an error message about boot.ini at all, although there is > a small possibilty I might have missed it but I doubt it. > >> timeout=15 >> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS >> [operating systems] >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Partion 1 Microsoft Windows >> XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Partition 2 Microsoft Windows >> XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Phoney Baloney Operating >> System" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >> >> The changes above are obvious enough, when you boot the computer you will >> see the "Phoney Baloney Operating System" in the boot menu, this will >> confirm that you are indeed using the boot.ini file on C: Try booting the >> "Partition 1 Microsoft..." and the "Partition 2 Microsoft..." and see what >> happens. Also try booting the Recovery Console. After you confirm the >> proper Windows boot partition we can modify the boot.ini file again and >> remove the invalid entries. >> >> >> >> >>> Note it seems c: is partition 2 >> I don't think so, I think that it is partition 1 and that you get the >> error when you boot the Command Console because the boot.ini file on C: >> points to the wrong partition. > > > I don't get that error, at least not all the time, I have booted into the > Command Console before it must be the right partition I would imagine. > Also the way it is listed in disk management suggests partition 1 is d: > > When I google images of "disk management" > http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbs=isch:1&q=disk+management&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18 > > I can see mine is different, d: comes before c: > > > >> Do you see C: as partition 2 in the Disk Management Tool? To open the >> Disk Management tool enter diskmgmt.msc in the Start Menu Run box. You >> can also verify this at the Command Prompt with the Diskpart utility. > > Disk part confirms partition 2 is 69GB, and that's the size of C: > It says partion 1 is 6164MB which is the smaller recovery partition d: > > > SO I think that's established what partion is what, thus partion 2 is c: > >>> I am not syre if the d:boot.ini is ever used, there is no windows >>> directory on d: >>> there is I386 though, all the folders are locked >> The SystemDrive=C: above tells us that the c:\boot.ini file is the one >> used to boot the system, I don't know why you have this boot.ini file on >> D:\... But I think that it does have the correct ARC path and that the one >> on C: has an improper path, try the modified boot.ini file and then report >> your findings. >> >> John > > Well I may change those ini files on c: presumably between the quotes > is just a comment, so I can change without fear of damage? Yes, the stuff "between the quotes" is just descriptive text for human eyes, it's what you see on the boot menu when the computer boots, you can put anything you want there. > I will just stick a part 1 in or whatever so I can see what is what. Don't put just a single path in the test boot.ini file, an all purpose boot.ini file includes all the possible paths, you can clean it up after you do the tests. This boot.ini file will allow you to boot from two different partitions on two hard disks, it's a pretty safe bet that one of these options will boot your Windows installation: ========================================================= timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part1" /fastdetect multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part2" /fastdetect multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part1" /fastdetect multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part2" /fastdetect C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console" /cmdcons ======================================================================== > I am reluctant to do anything more yet because I am worried I might > not be able to boot up at all? With the above all purpose boot.ini file it's a pretty sure bet that one of the options will boot the Windows installation. > What if I make changes and it won't boot? > > How do I change the boot.ini then? With the Recovery Console and the bootcfg utility: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291980 A discussion about the Bootcfg command and its uses > I need to know that really. If your computer has a floppy drive you can also make an "NT floppy boot diskette" and in a pinch use it to boot the Windows installation: 1- Format the floppy with a Windows NT/2000/XP operating system. (It won't work if the floppy was formatted with a Windows 9x installation). 2 Copy the following files from the root of the System partition (C:\ ) to the floppy diskette: boot.ini NTDETECT.COM ntldr Boot the computer with the floppy diskette and see if you can boot the Windows installation. John
From: Colin Trunt on 8 Apr 2010 21:29 "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message news:%23z32bB41KHA.3320(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > Colin Trunt wrote: >> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >> news:OGcvyI11KHA.5880(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>> news:O8Y2qNz1KHA.4724(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>> news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>>> "Colin Trunt" <colin(a)trunt.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843(a)newsfe13.ams2... >>>>>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>>>>> news:O88cbNx1KHA.6104(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I can boot either normally or to recovery as llong as I don't >>>>>>>>>>> mess about to much and do it directly. >>>>>>>>>> What exactly does that mean? Mess about with what and what do >>>>>>>>>> you mean by "do it directly"? If the Recovery Console is >>>>>>>>>> installed you get a boot menu when you boot the computer and you >>>>>>>>>> select to boot the Recovery Console or the Windows installation, >>>>>>>>>> what is there to mess about with there and what is there to do >>>>>>>>>> directly other than selecting which option to boot? >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> How many hard disks do you have and how many partitions do you >>>>>>>>>> have on these hard disks? Where is the Windows installation and >>>>>>>>>> where is the Command Console installed? To avoid confusion >>>>>>>>>> please don't use the term "drive" when answering, use the terms >>>>>>>>>> "Hard Disk" and "Partition". >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> John >>>>>>>>> First I get a screen which says hit f10 for recovery, then it goes >>>>>>>>> to a choice >>>>>>>>> 1)windows >>>>>>>>> 2)recovey >>>>>>>>> 3)ubuntu >>>>>>>> my boot.ini >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> [boot loader] >>>>>>>> timeout=15 >>>>>>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>>>>>>> [operating systems] >>>>>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>>>>> Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>>>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" >>>>>>>> /cmdcons >>>>>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>>>> Comes back to the question of how many hard disks and partitions do >>>>>>> you have and where exactly is Windows installed. Also, where is >>>>>>> this boot.ini file located? (on which hard disk and on which >>>>>>> partition?) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Also need the results of the set system command. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The problem is most likely due to an incorrect ARC path in the >>>>>>> boot.ini file. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> John >>>>>> This is the boot.ini on drive d: (recovery drive) >>>>>> >>>>>> [boot loader] >>>>>> timeout=15 >>>>>> default=C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT >>>>>> [operating systems] >>>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>>> Professional" /fastdetect >>>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ah......im thinking >>>>>> >>>>>> I don;t know what happens at startup. >>>>>> >>>>>> Anyway partion 2 is c: I think and 1 is d: >>>>>> When I list then in disk management they are show as d: then c : >>>>>> in the bottom rigt panel >>>>> Pulling a tooth from an angry lion would be easier than obtaining >>>>> information from you... one more try: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> 1- How many physical hard disks do you have in the computer? >>>>> >>>>> 2- How many partitions do you have on each hard disk? >>>>> >>>>> 3- Please post the results of the SET SYSTEM command. >>>>> >>>>> Also, you are posting different variations of the boot.ini file, >>>>> Windows only uses one boot.ini file. When you run the SET SYSTEM >>>>> command it will return a line telling you: >>>>> >>>>> SystemDrive=?: >>>>> >>>>> (? will be C or D ...or ...) the correct boot.ini file will be in the >>>>> root of the specified SystemDrive, for example C:\ or D:\ . Please >>>>> post the contents of the correct boot.ini file. >>>>> >>>>> John >>>> >>>> two phyisical drives >>>> one has partitios d: and c: >>>> other is f: one parition f: >>>> >>>> There is an ini on both c: and d: as posted, they are different. >>>> >>>> ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users >>>> APPDATA=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\Application Data >>>> CLASSPATH=.;C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>>> CLIENTNAME=Console >>>> CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files >>>> COMPUTERNAME=ZAX >>>> ComSpec=C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe >>>> DJGPP=c:\djgpp\djgpp.env >>>> FP_NO_HOST_CHECK=NO >>>> HOMEDRIVE=C: >>>> HOMEPATH=\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>>> LOGONSERVER=\\ZAX >>>> NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=1 >>>> OS=Windows_NT >>>> Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;c:\Python22;C:\Program >>>> Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;C:\Program >>>> Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\;C:\MinGW\bin; >>>> PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH >>>> PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=x86 >>>> PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=x86 Family 15 Model 47 Stepping 2, AuthenticAMD >>>> PROCESSOR_LEVEL=15 >>>> PROCESSOR_REVISION=2f02 >>>> ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files >>>> PROMPT=$P$G >>>> QTJAVA=C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>>> SAN_DIR=C:\Program Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite XII.SP2c >>>> SESSIONNAME=Console >>>> SonicCentral=c:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\ >>>> SystemDrive=C: >>>> SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS >>>> TEMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>>> TMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>>> USERDOMAIN=ZAX >>>> USERNAME=HP_Owner >>>> USERPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>>> windir=C:\WINDOWS >>>> __COMPAT_LAYER=DisableNXShowUI >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> c:boot.ini[boot loader] >>>> timeout=15 >>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>>> [operating systems] >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home >>>> Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>> Do you get a brief error message telling you that the boot.ini file is >>> invalid when you boot Windows? Modify your c:\boot.ini file as such (to >>> avoid errors you can copy and paste): >> >> >> No I never get any errors on a normal boot, none whatsoever. >> The only time I have had error is when I try to do a recovery, there >> seems to be two paths to recovery. >> >> The only time I have ever got an error is when I have selected option 2 >> for >> recovery, but 'bottled out' and decided to boot normally, this brings >> back the >> boot menu IIRC, and IIRC when I press 1 for a normal boot I get the >> hal.dll >> error. That's the only time I get it on a normal boot. >> >> I suspect doing it that way may cause it to look on drive d: for hal.dll >> and it won't find it there, as it has no windows folder on it. >> >> I don't recall an error message about boot.ini at all, although there is >> a small possibilty I might have missed it but I doubt it. >> >>> timeout=15 >>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS >>> [operating systems] >>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Partion 1 Microsoft Windows >>> XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Partition 2 Microsoft >>> Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Phoney Baloney Operating >>> System" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>> >>> The changes above are obvious enough, when you boot the computer you >>> will see the "Phoney Baloney Operating System" in the boot menu, this >>> will confirm that you are indeed using the boot.ini file on C: Try >>> booting the "Partition 1 Microsoft..." and the "Partition 2 >>> Microsoft..." and see what happens. Also try booting the Recovery >>> Console. After you confirm the proper Windows boot partition we can >>> modify the boot.ini file again and remove the invalid entries. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> Note it seems c: is partition 2 >>> I don't think so, I think that it is partition 1 and that you get the >>> error when you boot the Command Console because the boot.ini file on C: >>> points to the wrong partition. >> >> >> I don't get that error, at least not all the time, I have booted into the >> Command Console before it must be the right partition I would imagine. >> Also the way it is listed in disk management suggests partition 1 is d: >> >> When I google images of "disk management" >> http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbs=isch:1&q=disk+management&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18 >> >> I can see mine is different, d: comes before c: >> >> >> >>> Do you see C: as partition 2 in the Disk Management Tool? To open the >>> Disk Management tool enter diskmgmt.msc in the Start Menu Run box. You >>> can also verify this at the Command Prompt with the Diskpart utility. >> >> Disk part confirms partition 2 is 69GB, and that's the size of C: >> It says partion 1 is 6164MB which is the smaller recovery partition d: >> >> >> SO I think that's established what partion is what, thus partion 2 is c: >> >>>> I am not syre if the d:boot.ini is ever used, there is no windows >>>> directory on d: >>>> there is I386 though, all the folders are locked >>> The SystemDrive=C: above tells us that the c:\boot.ini file is the one >>> used to boot the system, I don't know why you have this boot.ini file on >>> D:\... But I think that it does have the correct ARC path and that the >>> one on C: has an improper path, try the modified boot.ini file and then >>> report your findings. >>> >>> John >> >> Well I may change those ini files on c: presumably between the quotes >> is just a comment, so I can change without fear of damage? > > Yes, the stuff "between the quotes" is just descriptive text for human > eyes, it's what you see on the boot menu when the computer boots, you can > put anything you want there. > > > >> I will just stick a part 1 in or whatever so I can see what is what. > > Don't put just a single path in the test boot.ini file, an all purpose > boot.ini file includes all the possible paths, you can clean it up after > you do the tests. This boot.ini file will allow you to boot from two > different partitions on two hard disks, it's a pretty safe bet that one of > these options will boot your Windows installation: > > ========================================================= > timeout=30 > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS > [operating systems] > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part1" /fastdetect > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part2" /fastdetect > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part1" /fastdetect > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part2" /fastdetect > C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console" /cmdcons > > ======================================================================== > > >> I am reluctant to do anything more yet because I am worried I might >> not be able to boot up at all? > > With the above all purpose boot.ini file it's a pretty sure bet that one > of the options will boot the Windows installation. > > > >> What if I make changes and it won't boot? >> >> How do I change the boot.ini then? > > With the Recovery Console and the bootcfg utility: > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291980 > A discussion about the Bootcfg command and its uses > > > >> I need to know that really. > > If your computer has a floppy drive you can also make an "NT floppy boot > diskette" and in a pinch use it to boot the Windows installation: > > 1- Format the floppy with a Windows NT/2000/XP operating system. (It > won't work if the floppy was formatted with a Windows 9x installation). > > 2 Copy the following files from the root of the System partition (C:\ ) > to the floppy diskette: > > boot.ini > NTDETECT.COM > ntldr > > Boot the computer with the floppy diskette and see if you can boot the > Windows installation. > > John I don't have a floppy so if I make a mistake I am screwed. I am pretty reluctant to mess with boot.ini for that reason as my computer boots fine. However I did have it set up before to boot up in ubuntu but that was a while back. If I can still boot into ubuntu I will be happier making changes as I should have something to fall back on. I will try to boot into ubuntu later. I can aslo make it boot from a ubuntu CD too and I may have a recovery CD for windows so I think I will check out those things. I may try just changing the comments too as that may give some clues, if it using the d: boot.ini that should show up.
From: Colin Trunt on 8 Apr 2010 18:18 "Colin Trunt" <colin(a)trunt.com> wrote in message news:0qvvn.227986$0t.149913(a)newsfe17.ams2... > > "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message > news:%23z32bB41KHA.3320(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> Colin Trunt wrote: >>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>> news:OGcvyI11KHA.5880(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>> news:O8Y2qNz1KHA.4724(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>>>> "Colin Trunt" <colin(a)trunt.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843(a)newsfe13.ams2... >>>>>>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>> news:O88cbNx1KHA.6104(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I can boot either normally or to recovery as llong as I don't >>>>>>>>>>>> mess about to much and do it directly. >>>>>>>>>>> What exactly does that mean? Mess about with what and what do >>>>>>>>>>> you mean by "do it directly"? If the Recovery Console is >>>>>>>>>>> installed you get a boot menu when you boot the computer and you >>>>>>>>>>> select to boot the Recovery Console or the Windows installation, >>>>>>>>>>> what is there to mess about with there and what is there to do >>>>>>>>>>> directly other than selecting which option to boot? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> How many hard disks do you have and how many partitions do you >>>>>>>>>>> have on these hard disks? Where is the Windows installation and >>>>>>>>>>> where is the Command Console installed? To avoid confusion >>>>>>>>>>> please don't use the term "drive" when answering, use the terms >>>>>>>>>>> "Hard Disk" and "Partition". >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> John >>>>>>>>>> First I get a screen which says hit f10 for recovery, then it >>>>>>>>>> goes to a choice >>>>>>>>>> 1)windows >>>>>>>>>> 2)recovey >>>>>>>>>> 3)ubuntu >>>>>>>>> my boot.ini >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> [boot loader] >>>>>>>>> timeout=15 >>>>>>>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>>>>>>>> [operating systems] >>>>>>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>>>>>> Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>>>>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" >>>>>>>>> /cmdcons >>>>>>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>>>>> Comes back to the question of how many hard disks and partitions do >>>>>>>> you have and where exactly is Windows installed. Also, where is >>>>>>>> this boot.ini file located? (on which hard disk and on which >>>>>>>> partition?) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Also need the results of the set system command. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The problem is most likely due to an incorrect ARC path in the >>>>>>>> boot.ini file. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> John >>>>>>> This is the boot.ini on drive d: (recovery drive) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [boot loader] >>>>>>> timeout=15 >>>>>>> default=C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT >>>>>>> [operating systems] >>>>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>>>> Professional" /fastdetect >>>>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" >>>>>>> /cmdcons >>>>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ah......im thinking >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I don;t know what happens at startup. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Anyway partion 2 is c: I think and 1 is d: >>>>>>> When I list then in disk management they are show as d: then c : >>>>>>> in the bottom rigt panel >>>>>> Pulling a tooth from an angry lion would be easier than obtaining >>>>>> information from you... one more try: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> 1- How many physical hard disks do you have in the computer? >>>>>> >>>>>> 2- How many partitions do you have on each hard disk? >>>>>> >>>>>> 3- Please post the results of the SET SYSTEM command. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, you are posting different variations of the boot.ini file, >>>>>> Windows only uses one boot.ini file. When you run the SET SYSTEM >>>>>> command it will return a line telling you: >>>>>> >>>>>> SystemDrive=?: >>>>>> >>>>>> (? will be C or D ...or ...) the correct boot.ini file will be in >>>>>> the root of the specified SystemDrive, for example C:\ or D:\ . >>>>>> Please post the contents of the correct boot.ini file. >>>>>> >>>>>> John >>>>> >>>>> two phyisical drives >>>>> one has partitios d: and c: >>>>> other is f: one parition f: >>>>> >>>>> There is an ini on both c: and d: as posted, they are different. >>>>> >>>>> ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users >>>>> APPDATA=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\Application Data >>>>> CLASSPATH=.;C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>>>> CLIENTNAME=Console >>>>> CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files >>>>> COMPUTERNAME=ZAX >>>>> ComSpec=C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe >>>>> DJGPP=c:\djgpp\djgpp.env >>>>> FP_NO_HOST_CHECK=NO >>>>> HOMEDRIVE=C: >>>>> HOMEPATH=\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>>>> LOGONSERVER=\\ZAX >>>>> NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=1 >>>>> OS=Windows_NT >>>>> Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;c:\Python22;C:\Program >>>>> Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;C:\Program >>>>> Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\;C:\MinGW\bin; >>>>> PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH >>>>> PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=x86 >>>>> PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=x86 Family 15 Model 47 Stepping 2, AuthenticAMD >>>>> PROCESSOR_LEVEL=15 >>>>> PROCESSOR_REVISION=2f02 >>>>> ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files >>>>> PROMPT=$P$G >>>>> QTJAVA=C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>>>> SAN_DIR=C:\Program Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite XII.SP2c >>>>> SESSIONNAME=Console >>>>> SonicCentral=c:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\ >>>>> SystemDrive=C: >>>>> SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS >>>>> TEMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>>>> TMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>>>> USERDOMAIN=ZAX >>>>> USERNAME=HP_Owner >>>>> USERPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>>>> windir=C:\WINDOWS >>>>> __COMPAT_LAYER=DisableNXShowUI >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> c:boot.ini[boot loader] >>>>> timeout=15 >>>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>>>> [operating systems] >>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home >>>>> Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>> Do you get a brief error message telling you that the boot.ini file is >>>> invalid when you boot Windows? Modify your c:\boot.ini file as such >>>> (to avoid errors you can copy and paste): >>> >>> >>> No I never get any errors on a normal boot, none whatsoever. >>> The only time I have had error is when I try to do a recovery, there >>> seems to be two paths to recovery. >>> >>> The only time I have ever got an error is when I have selected option 2 >>> for >>> recovery, but 'bottled out' and decided to boot normally, this brings >>> back the >>> boot menu IIRC, and IIRC when I press 1 for a normal boot I get the >>> hal.dll >>> error. That's the only time I get it on a normal boot. >>> >>> I suspect doing it that way may cause it to look on drive d: for hal.dll >>> and it won't find it there, as it has no windows folder on it. >>> >>> I don't recall an error message about boot.ini at all, although there is >>> a small possibilty I might have missed it but I doubt it. >>> >>>> timeout=15 >>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS >>>> [operating systems] >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Partion 1 Microsoft >>>> Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Partition 2 Microsoft >>>> Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Phoney Baloney Operating >>>> System" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>> >>>> The changes above are obvious enough, when you boot the computer you >>>> will see the "Phoney Baloney Operating System" in the boot menu, this >>>> will confirm that you are indeed using the boot.ini file on C: Try >>>> booting the "Partition 1 Microsoft..." and the "Partition 2 >>>> Microsoft..." and see what happens. Also try booting the Recovery >>>> Console. After you confirm the proper Windows boot partition we can >>>> modify the boot.ini file again and remove the invalid entries. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> Note it seems c: is partition 2 >>>> I don't think so, I think that it is partition 1 and that you get the >>>> error when you boot the Command Console because the boot.ini file on C: >>>> points to the wrong partition. >>> >>> >>> I don't get that error, at least not all the time, I have booted into >>> the >>> Command Console before it must be the right partition I would imagine. >>> Also the way it is listed in disk management suggests partition 1 is d: >>> >>> When I google images of "disk management" >>> http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbs=isch:1&q=disk+management&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18 >>> >>> I can see mine is different, d: comes before c: >>> >>> >>> >>>> Do you see C: as partition 2 in the Disk Management Tool? To open the >>>> Disk Management tool enter diskmgmt.msc in the Start Menu Run box. >>>> You can also verify this at the Command Prompt with the Diskpart >>>> utility. >>> >>> Disk part confirms partition 2 is 69GB, and that's the size of C: >>> It says partion 1 is 6164MB which is the smaller recovery partition d: >>> >>> >>> SO I think that's established what partion is what, thus partion 2 is c: >>> >>>>> I am not syre if the d:boot.ini is ever used, there is no windows >>>>> directory on d: >>>>> there is I386 though, all the folders are locked >>>> The SystemDrive=C: above tells us that the c:\boot.ini file is the one >>>> used to boot the system, I don't know why you have this boot.ini file >>>> on D:\... But I think that it does have the correct ARC path and that >>>> the one on C: has an improper path, try the modified boot.ini file and >>>> then report your findings. >>>> >>>> John >>> >>> Well I may change those ini files on c: presumably between the quotes >>> is just a comment, so I can change without fear of damage? >> >> Yes, the stuff "between the quotes" is just descriptive text for human >> eyes, it's what you see on the boot menu when the computer boots, you can >> put anything you want there. >> >> >> >>> I will just stick a part 1 in or whatever so I can see what is what. >> >> Don't put just a single path in the test boot.ini file, an all purpose >> boot.ini file includes all the possible paths, you can clean it up after >> you do the tests. This boot.ini file will allow you to boot from two >> different partitions on two hard disks, it's a pretty safe bet that one >> of these options will boot your Windows installation: >> >> ========================================================= >> timeout=30 >> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS >> [operating systems] >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part1" /fastdetect >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part2" /fastdetect >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part1" /fastdetect >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part2" /fastdetect >> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console" /cmdcons >> >> ======================================================================== >> >> >>> I am reluctant to do anything more yet because I am worried I might >>> not be able to boot up at all? >> >> With the above all purpose boot.ini file it's a pretty sure bet that one >> of the options will boot the Windows installation. >> >> >> >>> What if I make changes and it won't boot? >>> >>> How do I change the boot.ini then? >> >> With the Recovery Console and the bootcfg utility: >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291980 >> A discussion about the Bootcfg command and its uses >> >> >> >>> I need to know that really. >> >> If your computer has a floppy drive you can also make an "NT floppy boot >> diskette" and in a pinch use it to boot the Windows installation: >> >> 1- Format the floppy with a Windows NT/2000/XP operating system. (It >> won't work if the floppy was formatted with a Windows 9x installation). >> >> 2 Copy the following files from the root of the System partition (C:\ ) >> to the floppy diskette: >> >> boot.ini >> NTDETECT.COM >> ntldr >> >> Boot the computer with the floppy diskette and see if you can boot the >> Windows installation. >> >> John > > I don't have a floppy so if I make a mistake I am screwed. > I am pretty reluctant to mess with boot.ini for that reason as > my computer boots fine. > However I did have it set up before to boot up in ubuntu but that > was a while back. > > If I can still boot into ubuntu I will be happier making changes > as I should have something to fall back on. > > I will try to boot into ubuntu later. > I can aslo make it boot from a ubuntu CD too and I may have > a recovery CD for windows so I think I will check out those > things. > I may try just changing the comments too as that may give some clues, > if it using the d: boot.ini that should show up. > > Well I booted into ubunti but I can't remember the login. Also I notice now on the d:boot.ini the comment says "multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect Note it say *professional* and I only have the home edition. I have never seen 'profesional' on the menu so it has never used that boot.ini as far as I know. Anyway I found some hp stuf on recovery http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=bph07145 http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=bph07144 Anyway that got me thinking a bit and I was wondering if I could make my second drive bootable in windows so for example if one drive failed I could boot from the other? Would that be possible? I did something like that on my old windows 98 PC where I had two drives and I could swop the drives, I actually copied the original drive so if I ever had a problem I could put the copied drive back on as master and I would be up and running if the original drive failed, I don't see why I should not be able to do this. I also have a big USB drive which I could copy the stuff on the second drive onto if necesssary. However basically I have not been getting any errors recently, I am not sure why, may it did some auto-restore. I get a bit confused about some of this restore stuff because it does not say exactly what it does when a restore is done. I was happier to mess around with the old computer because I didn't not have broadband then so losing internet access was not the big deal it would be now.
From: Colin Trunt on 8 Apr 2010 18:22 "Colin Trunt" <colin(a)trunt.com> wrote in message news:0qvvn.227986$0t.149913(a)newsfe17.ams2... > > "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message > news:%23z32bB41KHA.3320(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> Colin Trunt wrote: >>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>> news:OGcvyI11KHA.5880(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>> news:O8Y2qNz1KHA.4724(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>>>> "Colin Trunt" <colin(a)trunt.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843(a)newsfe13.ams2... >>>>>>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>> news:O88cbNx1KHA.6104(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I can boot either normally or to recovery as llong as I don't >>>>>>>>>>>> mess about to much and do it directly. >>>>>>>>>>> What exactly does that mean? Mess about with what and what do >>>>>>>>>>> you mean by "do it directly"? If the Recovery Console is >>>>>>>>>>> installed you get a boot menu when you boot the computer and you >>>>>>>>>>> select to boot the Recovery Console or the Windows installation, >>>>>>>>>>> what is there to mess about with there and what is there to do >>>>>>>>>>> directly other than selecting which option to boot? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> How many hard disks do you have and how many partitions do you >>>>>>>>>>> have on these hard disks? Where is the Windows installation and >>>>>>>>>>> where is the Command Console installed? To avoid confusion >>>>>>>>>>> please don't use the term "drive" when answering, use the terms >>>>>>>>>>> "Hard Disk" and "Partition". >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> John >>>>>>>>>> First I get a screen which says hit f10 for recovery, then it >>>>>>>>>> goes to a choice >>>>>>>>>> 1)windows >>>>>>>>>> 2)recovey >>>>>>>>>> 3)ubuntu >>>>>>>>> my boot.ini >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> [boot loader] >>>>>>>>> timeout=15 >>>>>>>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>>>>>>>> [operating systems] >>>>>>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>>>>>> Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>>>>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" >>>>>>>>> /cmdcons >>>>>>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>>>>> Comes back to the question of how many hard disks and partitions do >>>>>>>> you have and where exactly is Windows installed. Also, where is >>>>>>>> this boot.ini file located? (on which hard disk and on which >>>>>>>> partition?) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Also need the results of the set system command. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The problem is most likely due to an incorrect ARC path in the >>>>>>>> boot.ini file. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> John >>>>>>> This is the boot.ini on drive d: (recovery drive) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [boot loader] >>>>>>> timeout=15 >>>>>>> default=C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT >>>>>>> [operating systems] >>>>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>>>>> Professional" /fastdetect >>>>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" >>>>>>> /cmdcons >>>>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ah......im thinking >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I don;t know what happens at startup. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Anyway partion 2 is c: I think and 1 is d: >>>>>>> When I list then in disk management they are show as d: then c : >>>>>>> in the bottom rigt panel >>>>>> Pulling a tooth from an angry lion would be easier than obtaining >>>>>> information from you... one more try: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> 1- How many physical hard disks do you have in the computer? >>>>>> >>>>>> 2- How many partitions do you have on each hard disk? >>>>>> >>>>>> 3- Please post the results of the SET SYSTEM command. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, you are posting different variations of the boot.ini file, >>>>>> Windows only uses one boot.ini file. When you run the SET SYSTEM >>>>>> command it will return a line telling you: >>>>>> >>>>>> SystemDrive=?: >>>>>> >>>>>> (? will be C or D ...or ...) the correct boot.ini file will be in >>>>>> the root of the specified SystemDrive, for example C:\ or D:\ . >>>>>> Please post the contents of the correct boot.ini file. >>>>>> >>>>>> John >>>>> >>>>> two phyisical drives >>>>> one has partitios d: and c: >>>>> other is f: one parition f: >>>>> >>>>> There is an ini on both c: and d: as posted, they are different. >>>>> >>>>> ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users >>>>> APPDATA=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\Application Data >>>>> CLASSPATH=.;C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>>>> CLIENTNAME=Console >>>>> CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files >>>>> COMPUTERNAME=ZAX >>>>> ComSpec=C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe >>>>> DJGPP=c:\djgpp\djgpp.env >>>>> FP_NO_HOST_CHECK=NO >>>>> HOMEDRIVE=C: >>>>> HOMEPATH=\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>>>> LOGONSERVER=\\ZAX >>>>> NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=1 >>>>> OS=Windows_NT >>>>> Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;c:\Python22;C:\Program >>>>> Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;C:\Program >>>>> Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\;C:\MinGW\bin; >>>>> PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH >>>>> PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=x86 >>>>> PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=x86 Family 15 Model 47 Stepping 2, AuthenticAMD >>>>> PROCESSOR_LEVEL=15 >>>>> PROCESSOR_REVISION=2f02 >>>>> ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files >>>>> PROMPT=$P$G >>>>> QTJAVA=C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >>>>> SAN_DIR=C:\Program Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite XII.SP2c >>>>> SESSIONNAME=Console >>>>> SonicCentral=c:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\ >>>>> SystemDrive=C: >>>>> SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS >>>>> TEMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>>>> TMP=C:\DOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >>>>> USERDOMAIN=ZAX >>>>> USERNAME=HP_Owner >>>>> USERPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner >>>>> windir=C:\WINDOWS >>>>> __COMPAT_LAYER=DisableNXShowUI >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> c:boot.ini[boot loader] >>>>> timeout=15 >>>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS >>>>> [operating systems] >>>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home >>>>> Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>> Do you get a brief error message telling you that the boot.ini file is >>>> invalid when you boot Windows? Modify your c:\boot.ini file as such >>>> (to avoid errors you can copy and paste): >>> >>> >>> No I never get any errors on a normal boot, none whatsoever. >>> The only time I have had error is when I try to do a recovery, there >>> seems to be two paths to recovery. >>> >>> The only time I have ever got an error is when I have selected option 2 >>> for >>> recovery, but 'bottled out' and decided to boot normally, this brings >>> back the >>> boot menu IIRC, and IIRC when I press 1 for a normal boot I get the >>> hal.dll >>> error. That's the only time I get it on a normal boot. >>> >>> I suspect doing it that way may cause it to look on drive d: for hal.dll >>> and it won't find it there, as it has no windows folder on it. >>> >>> I don't recall an error message about boot.ini at all, although there is >>> a small possibilty I might have missed it but I doubt it. >>> >>>> timeout=15 >>>> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS >>>> [operating systems] >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Partion 1 Microsoft >>>> Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Partition 2 Microsoft >>>> Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Phoney Baloney Operating >>>> System" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut >>>> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>> c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >>>> >>>> The changes above are obvious enough, when you boot the computer you >>>> will see the "Phoney Baloney Operating System" in the boot menu, this >>>> will confirm that you are indeed using the boot.ini file on C: Try >>>> booting the "Partition 1 Microsoft..." and the "Partition 2 >>>> Microsoft..." and see what happens. Also try booting the Recovery >>>> Console. After you confirm the proper Windows boot partition we can >>>> modify the boot.ini file again and remove the invalid entries. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> Note it seems c: is partition 2 >>>> I don't think so, I think that it is partition 1 and that you get the >>>> error when you boot the Command Console because the boot.ini file on C: >>>> points to the wrong partition. >>> >>> >>> I don't get that error, at least not all the time, I have booted into >>> the >>> Command Console before it must be the right partition I would imagine. >>> Also the way it is listed in disk management suggests partition 1 is d: >>> >>> When I google images of "disk management" >>> http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbs=isch:1&q=disk+management&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18 >>> >>> I can see mine is different, d: comes before c: >>> >>> >>> >>>> Do you see C: as partition 2 in the Disk Management Tool? To open the >>>> Disk Management tool enter diskmgmt.msc in the Start Menu Run box. >>>> You can also verify this at the Command Prompt with the Diskpart >>>> utility. >>> >>> Disk part confirms partition 2 is 69GB, and that's the size of C: >>> It says partion 1 is 6164MB which is the smaller recovery partition d: >>> >>> >>> SO I think that's established what partion is what, thus partion 2 is c: >>> >>>>> I am not syre if the d:boot.ini is ever used, there is no windows >>>>> directory on d: >>>>> there is I386 though, all the folders are locked >>>> The SystemDrive=C: above tells us that the c:\boot.ini file is the one >>>> used to boot the system, I don't know why you have this boot.ini file >>>> on D:\... But I think that it does have the correct ARC path and that >>>> the one on C: has an improper path, try the modified boot.ini file and >>>> then report your findings. >>>> >>>> John >>> >>> Well I may change those ini files on c: presumably between the quotes >>> is just a comment, so I can change without fear of damage? >> >> Yes, the stuff "between the quotes" is just descriptive text for human >> eyes, it's what you see on the boot menu when the computer boots, you can >> put anything you want there. >> >> >> >>> I will just stick a part 1 in or whatever so I can see what is what. >> >> Don't put just a single path in the test boot.ini file, an all purpose >> boot.ini file includes all the possible paths, you can clean it up after >> you do the tests. This boot.ini file will allow you to boot from two >> different partitions on two hard disks, it's a pretty safe bet that one >> of these options will boot your Windows installation: >> >> ========================================================= >> timeout=30 >> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS >> [operating systems] >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part1" /fastdetect >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD0 Part2" /fastdetect >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part1" /fastdetect >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS="XP HD1 Part2" /fastdetect >> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console" /cmdcons >> >> ======================================================================== >> >> >>> I am reluctant to do anything more yet because I am worried I might >>> not be able to boot up at all? >> >> With the above all purpose boot.ini file it's a pretty sure bet that one >> of the options will boot the Windows installation. >> >> >> >>> What if I make changes and it won't boot? >>> >>> How do I change the boot.ini then? >> >> With the Recovery Console and the bootcfg utility: >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291980 >> A discussion about the Bootcfg command and its uses >> >> >> >>> I need to know that really. >> >> If your computer has a floppy drive you can also make an "NT floppy boot >> diskette" and in a pinch use it to boot the Windows installation: >> >> 1- Format the floppy with a Windows NT/2000/XP operating system. (It >> won't work if the floppy was formatted with a Windows 9x installation). >> >> 2 Copy the following files from the root of the System partition (C:\ ) >> to the floppy diskette: >> >> boot.ini >> NTDETECT.COM >> ntldr >> >> Boot the computer with the floppy diskette and see if you can boot the >> Windows installation. >> >> John > > I don't have a floppy so if I make a mistake I am screwed. > I am pretty reluctant to mess with boot.ini for that reason as > my computer boots fine. > However I did have it set up before to boot up in ubuntu but that > was a while back. > > If I can still boot into ubuntu I will be happier making changes > as I should have something to fall back on. > > I will try to boot into ubuntu later. > I can aslo make it boot from a ubuntu CD too and I may have > a recovery CD for windows so I think I will check out those > things. > I may try just changing the comments too as that may give some clues, > if it using the d: boot.ini that should show up. > > Ubunto boots up but I forgot login. I note the boot.ini on d: says windows *profressional*, I have never seen that hence that ini must never have been used in the past! I can't seem to get the hal.dll error now anyway, Woul dit be possible to make my other drive bootable as windows XP? Then if one disk failed I could use the other drive!
From: vinod kumar vinod on 10 Apr 2010 15:55
hi, hal.dll can be recovered or the error can be prevented by doing the following steps. >put cd into cd tray >boot into recovery console (choose R to repair). >then type bootcfg /rebuild. >type exit >reboot |