"Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... >I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? > Maybe he's excited Mine's all caps, too. -- SC Tom "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." Lt. Col. J.D. "Jeff" Cooper, USMC, Ret.
"SC Tom" <sc@tom.net> wrote in message news:uRjyWve1KHA.348@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > > "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message > news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... >>I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? >> > > Maybe he's excited > Mine's all caps, too. > -- > SC Tom > > "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed > any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." > Lt. Col. J.D. "Jeff" Cooper, USMC, Ret. > Is that hal.dll used in a normal boot? When I try to do a recovery boot it says it can't find it.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm -- Peter Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged. "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... >I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? >
"Peter Foldes" <okf22@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:eXvqSih1KHA.5328@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm > > -- > Peter > > Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others > Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged. > > "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message > news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... >>I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? >> > Thanks, it turns out that the problem is not significant for me. IT only occurs under certain circumstance so I can always boot and boot into recovery if I 'don't mess around too much'. However I will have look at the solutios on the link, but I notice a link it gives for help just points to segates website!! Also no way I am reinstalling windows as a 'solution', I don't rebuild my house because I have loose tile on the roof!! I will have a look at the rest later
On Apr 6, 9:13 pm, "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote: > "SC Tom" <s...@tom.net> wrote in message > > news:uRjyWve1KHA.348@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > > > > > "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote in message > >news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... > >>I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? > > > Maybe he's excited > > Mine's all caps, too. > > -- > > SC Tom > > > "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed > > any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." > > Lt. Col. J.D. "Jeff" Cooper, USMC, Ret. > > Is that hal.dll used in a normal boot? > > When I try to do a recovery boot it says it can't find it. My hal.dll shows uppercase when displayed in Windows Explorer. I am pretty sure it is an important file and necessary for a successful boot. If your system is afflicted in such a way that you are seeing a message about hal.dll being missing or corrupt, this is generally a trivial issue to resolve after you do this first: You should first boot your PC into the XP Recovery Console using a bootable XP installation CD or a bootable CD with the XP Recovery Console on it. This is not the same as any Recovery or System CDs that may have come with a store bought system. If you are not sure what you have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is available: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html For each of your hard disks, you should then run: chkdsk /r For example, from the Recovery Console prompt, enter: chkdsk c: /r
"Jose" <jose_ease@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:629d5ed5-4e8b-4a6a-ba81-e0c4d9f3aa55@r18g2000yqd.googlegroups.com... On Apr 6, 9:13 pm, "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote: > "SC Tom" <s...@tom.net> wrote in message > > news:uRjyWve1KHA.348@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > > > > > "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote in message > >news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... > >>I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? > > > Maybe he's excited > > Mine's all caps, too. > > -- > > SC Tom > > > "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed > > any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." > > Lt. Col. J.D. "Jeff" Cooper, USMC, Ret. > > Is that hal.dll used in a normal boot? > > When I try to do a recovery boot it says it can't find it. My hal.dll shows uppercase when displayed in Windows Explorer. I am pretty sure it is an important file and necessary for a successful boot. If your system is afflicted in such a way that you are seeing a message about hal.dll being missing or corrupt, this is generally a trivial issue to resolve after you do this first: You should first boot your PC into the XP Recovery Console using a bootable XP installation CD or a bootable CD with the XP Recovery Console on it. This is not the same as any Recovery or System CDs that may have come with a store bought system. If you are not sure what you have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is available: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html For each of your hard disks, you should then run: chkdsk /r For example, from the Recovery Console prompt, enter: chkdsk c: /r
"Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message news:nB5vn.159208$E66.127316@newsfe22.ams2... > > "Jose" <jose_ease@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:629d5ed5-4e8b-4a6a-ba81-e0c4d9f3aa55@r18g2000yqd.googlegroups.com... > On Apr 6, 9:13 pm, "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote: >> "SC Tom" <s...@tom.net> wrote in message >> >> news:uRjyWve1KHA.348@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> >> >> >> > "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote in message >> >news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... >> >>I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? >> >> > Maybe he's excited >> > Mine's all caps, too. >> > -- >> > SC Tom >> >> > "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed >> > any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." >> > Lt. Col. J.D. "Jeff" Cooper, USMC, Ret. >> >> Is that hal.dll used in a normal boot? >> >> When I try to do a recovery boot it says it can't find it. > > My hal.dll shows uppercase when displayed in Windows Explorer. > > I am pretty sure it is an important file and necessary for a > successful boot. > > If your system is afflicted in such a way that you are seeing a > message about hal.dll being missing or corrupt, this is generally a > trivial issue to resolve > after you do this first: > > You should first boot your PC into the XP Recovery Console using a > bootable XP installation CD or a bootable CD with the XP Recovery > Console on it. This > is not the same as any Recovery or System CDs that may have come with > a store bought system. If you are not sure what you have, make a > bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. > > You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is > available: > > http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html > > For each of your hard disks, you should then run: > > chkdsk /r > > For example, from the Recovery Console prompt, enter: > > chkdsk c: /r I think the file is finebut it just gets confused as to where it is. I can boot either normally or to recovery as llong as I don't mess about to much and do it directly. > >
On Apr 7, 4:09 pm, "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote: > "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote in message > > news:nB5vn.159208$E66.127316@newsfe22.ams2... > > > > > > > > > "Jose" <jose_e...@yahoo.com> wrote in message > >news:629d5ed5-4e8b-4a6a-ba81-e0c4d9f3aa55@r18g2000yqd.googlegroups.com.... > > On Apr 6, 9:13 pm, "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote: > >> "SC Tom" <s...@tom.net> wrote in message > > >>news:uRjyWve1KHA.348@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > > >> > "Colin Trunt" <co...@trunt.com> wrote in message > >> >news:eFPun.684404$5n1.467294@newsfe01.ams2... > >> >>I notice ny hal.dll is in upper case, is this normal? > > >> > Maybe he's excited > >> > Mine's all caps, too. > >> > -- > >> > SC Tom > > >> > "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed > >> > any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." > >> > Lt. Col. J.D. "Jeff" Cooper, USMC, Ret. > > >> Is that hal.dll used in a normal boot? > > >> When I try to do a recovery boot it says it can't find it. > > > My hal.dll shows uppercase when displayed in Windows Explorer. > > > I am pretty sure it is an important file and necessary for a > > successful boot. > > > If your system is afflicted in such a way that you are seeing a > > message about hal.dll being missing or corrupt, this is generally a > > trivial issue to resolve > > after you do this first: > > > You should first boot your PC into the XP Recovery Console using a > > bootable XP installation CD or a bootable CD with the XP Recovery > > Console on it. This > > is not the same as any Recovery or System CDs that may have come with > > a store bought system. If you are not sure what you have, make a > > bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. > > > You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is > > available: > > >http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html > > > For each of your hard disks, you should then run: > > > chkdsk /r > > > For example, from the Recovery Console prompt, enter: > > > chkdsk c: /r > > I think the file is finebut it just gets confused as to where it is. > I can boot either normally or to recovery as llong as I don't > mess about to much and do it directly. > > > > The hal.dll (or HAL.DLL) file XP really cares about should only be in one place: cwindows\system32. You may see it in a few other places depending on your setup, but those other ones are not the ones XP "uses". Nobody or nothing should be getting confused about where it is or have any trouble finding it. If you think there is osme problem regarding hal.dll I would figure it out and fix it. The set up is quite resilient (hard to break),
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
"John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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
"Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843@newsfe13.ams2... > > "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message > news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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 CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons cwubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" >
Colin Trunt wrote: > "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message > news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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, That (F10) has nothing really to do with Windows per se, it's a factory restore thing. > then it goes to a choice > > 1)windows > 2)recovey > 3)ubuntu Is that *after* pressing the F10 key? Or does it go to this menu without pressing the F10 key? Did you install Ubunto, is the above a Lilo/Grub boot menu? Or is it the Windows boot menu? You didn't answer my question about your hard disks and partitions... I need this information to offer additional help. Also, while booted to the Windows installation could you please run this command at a Command Prompt and post the results of the command: set system John
Colin Trunt wrote: > "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message > news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843@newsfe13.ams2... >> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >> news88cbNx1KHA.6104@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>> >>>> I can boot either normally or to recovery as llong as I don't >>>> mess about to much and do it directly. >>> What exactly does that mean? Mess about with what and what do you mean >>> by "do it directly"? If the Recovery Console is installed you get a boot >>> menu when you boot the computer and you select to boot the Recovery >>> Console or the Windows installation, what is there to mess about with >>> there and what is there to do directly other than selecting which option >>> to boot? >>> >>> How many hard disks do you have and how many partitions do you have on >>> these hard disks? Where is the Windows installation and where is the >>> Command Console installed? To avoid confusion please don't use the term >>> "drive" when answering, use the terms "Hard Disk" and "Partition". >>> >>> John >> First I get a screen which says hit f10 for recovery, then it goes to a >> choice >> 1)windows >> 2)recovey >> 3)ubuntu > > my boot.ini > > [boot loader] > timeout=15 > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS > [operating systems] > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home > Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut > CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons > cwubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" Comes back to the question of how many hard disks and partitions do you have and where exactly is Windows installed. Also, where is this boot.ini file located? (on which hard disk and on which partition?) Also need the results of the set system command. The problem is most likely due to an incorrect ARC path in the boot.ini file. John
"John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > Colin Trunt wrote: >> "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message >> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843@newsfe13.ams2... >>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>> news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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 >> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >> cwubildr.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=CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons cwubildr.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
"John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message news:uowuzZy1KHA.2156@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > Colin Trunt wrote: >> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >> news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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, > > That (F10) has nothing really to do with Windows per se, it's a factory > restore thing. What is a factory restore? What does that do? > >> then it goes to a choice >> >> 1)windows >> 2)recovey >> 3)ubuntu > > Is that *after* pressing the F10 key? Or does it go to this menu without > pressing the F10 key? Did you install Ubunto, is the above a Lilo/Grub > boot menu? Or is it the Windows boot menu? > > You didn't answer my question about your hard disks and partitions... I > need this information to offer additional help. > > Also, while booted to the Windows installation could you please run this > command at a Command Prompt and post the results of the command: > > set system > > John > I normally wait and it goes to the menu by itself however sometime I have hit f10 but I may not have hit it fast enough and it would in that case go to the menu as if I had hit f10 to make it go there. Thats what it seems like anyway. I think what often happens is I got to option 2 for recovery and then change my mind, then when I select option one for normal boot I get the hal.dll error.
Colin Trunt wrote: > "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message > news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> Colin Trunt wrote: >>> "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message >>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843@newsfe13.ams2... >>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>> news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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 >>> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>> cwubildr.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=CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT > [operating systems] > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP > Professional" /fastdetect > CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons > cwubildr.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
"John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message news8Y2qNz1KHA.4724@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > Colin Trunt wrote: >> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >> news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>> "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message >>>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843@newsfe13.ams2... >>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>> news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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 >>>> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>> cwubildr.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=CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT >> [operating systems] >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >> Professional" /fastdetect >> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >> cwubildr.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=CDocuments and Settings\All Users APPDATA=CDocuments and Settings\HP_Owner\Application Data CLASSPATH=.;CProgram Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip CLIENTNAME=Console CommonProgramFiles=CProgram Files\Common Files COMPUTERNAME=ZAX ComSpec=CWINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe DJGPP=cdjgpp\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=CWINDOWS\system32;CWINDOWS;CWINDOWS\System32\Wbem;cPython22;CProgram Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;CProgram Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\;CMinGW\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=CProgram Files PROMPT=$P$G QTJAVA=CProgram Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip SAN_DIR=CProgram Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite XII.SP2c SESSIONNAME=Console SonicCentral=cProgram Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\ SystemDrive=C: SystemRoot=CWINDOWS TEMP=CDOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp TMP=CDOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp USERDOMAIN=ZAX USERNAME=HP_Owner USERPROFILE=CDocuments and Settings\HP_Owner windir=CWINDOWS __COMPAT_LAYERisableNXShowUI 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 CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons cwubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" d: boot.ini [boot loader] timeout=15 default=CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons cwubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" Note it seems c: is partition 2 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
Colin Trunt wrote: > "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message > news8Y2qNz1KHA.4724@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> Colin Trunt wrote: >>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>> news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>> "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843@newsfe13.ams2... >>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>> news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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 >>>>> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>>> cwubildr.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=CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT >>> [operating systems] >>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>> Professional" /fastdetect >>> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>> cwubildr.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=CDocuments and Settings\All Users > APPDATA=CDocuments and Settings\HP_Owner\Application Data > CLASSPATH=.;CProgram Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip > CLIENTNAME=Console > CommonProgramFiles=CProgram Files\Common Files > COMPUTERNAME=ZAX > ComSpec=CWINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe > DJGPP=cdjgpp\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=CWINDOWS\system32;CWINDOWS;CWINDOWS\System32\Wbem;cPython22;CProgram > Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;CProgram > Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\;CMinGW\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=CProgram Files > PROMPT=$P$G > QTJAVA=CProgram Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip > SAN_DIR=CProgram Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite XII.SP2c > SESSIONNAME=Console > SonicCentral=cProgram Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\ > SystemDrive=C: > SystemRoot=CWINDOWS > TEMP=CDOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp > TMP=CDOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp > USERDOMAIN=ZAX > USERNAME=HP_Owner > USERPROFILE=CDocuments and Settings\HP_Owner > windir=CWINDOWS > __COMPAT_LAYERisableNXShowUI > > > > 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 > CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons > cwubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" Do you get a brief error message telling you that the boot.ini file is invalid when you boot Windows? Modify your cboot.ini file as such (to avoid errors you can copy and paste): 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 CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons cwubildr.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. 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. > 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 cboot.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
"John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message newsGcvyI11KHA.5880@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > > Colin Trunt wrote: >> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >> news8Y2qNz1KHA.4724@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>> news:e%23YfUgy1KHA.3744@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>> Colin Trunt wrote: >>>>>> "Colin Trunt" <colin@trunt.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:xflvn.2326$LS2.1843@newsfe13.ams2... >>>>>>> "John John - MVP" <audetweld@nbnot.nb.ca> wrote in message >>>>>>> news88cbNx1KHA.6104@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 >>>>>> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>>>> cwubildr.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=CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT >>>> [operating systems] >>>> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >>>> Professional" /fastdetect >>>> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >>>> cwubildr.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=CDocuments and Settings\All Users >> APPDATA=CDocuments and Settings\HP_Owner\Application Data >> CLASSPATH=.;CProgram Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >> CLIENTNAME=Console >> CommonProgramFiles=CProgram Files\Common Files >> COMPUTERNAME=ZAX >> ComSpec=CWINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe >> DJGPP=cdjgpp\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=CWINDOWS\system32;CWINDOWS;CWINDOWS\System32\Wbem;cPython22;CProgram >> Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;CProgram >> Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\;CMinGW\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=CProgram Files >> PROMPT=$P$G >> QTJAVA=CProgram Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip >> SAN_DIR=CProgram Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite XII.SP2c >> SESSIONNAME=Console >> SonicCentral=cProgram Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\ >> SystemDrive=C: >> SystemRoot=CWINDOWS >> TEMP=CDOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >> TMP=CDOCUME~1\HP_Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp >> USERDOMAIN=ZAX >> USERNAME=HP_Owner >> USERPROFILE=CDocuments and Settings\HP_Owner >> windir=CWINDOWS >> __COMPAT_LAYERisableNXShowUI >> >> >> >> 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 >> CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons >> cwubildr.mbr="Ubuntu" > > Do you get a brief error message telling you that the boot.ini file is > invalid when you boot Windows? Modify your cboot.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 > CCMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons > cwubildr.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?u...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 cboot.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? I will just stick a part 1 in or whatever so I can see what is what. I am reluctant to do anything more yet because I am worried I might not be able to boot up at all? What if I make changes and it won't boot? How do I change the boot.ini then? I need to know that really.