Windows does not start due to error message: " Invalid Boot.ini File"

Posted by Rohit in computer problems, troubleshooting tips, windows, xp 

26

Mar

Trouble:

One of readers faced this trouble, when Windows XP refuses to boot due to changed or corrupted boot.ini file.

This error may appear if the Boot.ini file is missing, damaged, or contains incorrect entries of the operating system.

This is how error seems like at the time of boot: (see the image below)

Invalid Boot.ini

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

invalid boot.ini file

Lets see how can we repair the altered or damaged boot.ini file.

Fix:

Follow the procedure below to repair original boot.ini file

  1. Firstly arrange a Bootable Windows XP setup CD.
  2. Boot from bootable Windows XP setup CD and press R to enter recovery console which allows to restore the corrupted boot.ini file to original.
  3. Now enter your administrative username and password, when you get the command prompt type the following command “bootcfg /rebuild” (without double quotes) and press Enter.
  4. Bootcfg utility on the Windows XP setup CD will scan your drives for any Windows XP installations and then display the results which you can select to repair the corresponding boot.ini file.
  5. The first prompt asks to Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All). type “Y” (without double quotes) and press enter.
  6. The next prompt asks to Enter Load Identifier ” This is nothing but the name of the operation system which appears at the time of Booting ” :type Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition or simply Windows XP and press Enter.
  7. Now it will ask to Enter OS Load options: type /Fastdetect and press Enter.
  8. Take the Windows XP bootable CD out from the tray and Type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

The above solution provided will help to fix the trouble!

This time your Windows XP should start normally with out any problems, if you still have any concerns regarding this problem or solution, please leave a comment.

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Author + Admin: Rohit Khurana
Software Engineer by profession. I am a part time tech blogger and believe in blogging because I enjoy writing on technology. I also write about Cars and Bikes at www.carblogindia.com. You can catch me on twitter @rohit_khurana. Get in touch with me at RohitKhurana.in.

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12 Users Commented In This Post

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azzzbreaker says, April 8th, 2008   

i’ve done the above instructions, but still no luck in booting my pc.

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afie says, April 18th, 2008   

i want to enter to the regstry key using Run but i cant fint the the Run it is hidne.

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How to fix - hal.dll is missing or corrupt in windows - TroubleFixers - All about fixing computer troubles says, June 5th, 2008   

[...] Step 2: If the above step does not solve your problem, then you need to repair the boot.ini file. See this link for the same. [...]

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Iyanggg says, March 11th, 2009   

It’s done.
Working normally
Thanks for sharing, Have a nice day…CheersS.

Regard,
Iyanggg

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Talha says, March 13th, 2009   

THanks buddy’

my PC Works fine
thanks alot

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Jesse says, May 16th, 2009   

i’ve done the above instructions, but still no luck in booting my pc.

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Harsha says, May 24th, 2009   

Thanks a lot!….

My pc is workin fine now..

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Matt says, June 11th, 2009   

I have this problem.
The only thing that comes up is

Invalid boot.INI
Booting from C:/WINDOWS (nothing else)

Then goes to the safe mode, start windows normally screen. Tried putting in the setup CD. Never recognizes it. It just keeps restarting and goes directly to the safe mode screen. Can’t go to any other command prompt screens either.

Any Suggestions?

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mowgli says, July 9th, 2009   

i do all of the above and windows starts up normal…but then when i shut off my pc and start it up again, the same error screen shows up “\system32\hal.dll is missing or corrupt please reinstall the copy of above file”

Please Help!!!!

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Ether says, August 13th, 2009   

I started my lenovo laptop this AM and recieved the hal.dll missing error. I replaced the hal.dll from the recovery console, restarted, no go. I checked and the file was there and copied correctly as the one from the cd was smaller in size. The error message persisted. Restored all the boot files, Checked boot.ini, even ran fixboot etc, still no go. Proceeded to reinstall xp as the D-Partition retained all my data files. It got to the end 99% and recieved an error that it couldnt load ntdetect.com and after that ntldr. So tried a backup winxp install disk, no change. Ran the bios hd diagnostic program, that stuck on “0% done” for about 30 minutes. I am convinced that the 2 year old 80gig hd has crashed permanently but cant be sure.

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chris says, August 23rd, 2009   

i have a laptop when i go to start it up it gives an error message of invalid boot.ini file it then goes to try and boot but just recycles back to the error screen after starting back up no futher then that i do not have a recovery disk and the laptop did not come with a original windows xp cd please help i have tried everything that i know to do i have a lot of pictures and music that i really dont want to lose on that computer thank you for your time and any help with this matter

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Alan says, September 22nd, 2009   

Tried the fix for boot ini, not getting error message but after welcome screen dialogue says “this copy of windows needs to be registered with Microsoft before you can log on” Yes/No. When I click yes the screen remaiins blank with my background. NB it is a gen valid copy of Win XP and was previously registered and running.

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