subject: System inaccessibility due to missing Boot.ini file and guidelines for Hard drive data recovery [print this page] System inaccessibility due to missing Boot.ini file and guidelines for Hard drive data recovery
NTLDR is the boot loader program used in Windows XP. This critical file is responsible for displaying the startup menu and loading the Windows operating system. The Boot.ini' file is also an essential system file that contains configuration settings for the boot menu. If the file is missing, NTLDR will load the Windows present on the first partition of your first hard drive. But sometimes, the computer hangs in the middle of the boot process due to a damaged Boot.ini file. As a consequence, you may lose all the valuable data stored in your system. To overcome the problem, you need to go for hard drive recovery through a reliable third-party utility.
Let's consider a real time scenario wherein you use a Windows XP-based computer. Someday, when you try to start the system, you may encounter the following error message on your screen:
"Invalid Boot.ini"
OR
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
WindowsSystem32Hal.dll"
Cause:
The above error occurred due to the corrupt or missing Boot.ini file. The file may also have some incorrect entries.
This would prevent you from accessing the data you saved on your system hard drive. You may use a backup to perform hard drive data recovery. However, if the backup is missing, follow the below mentioned resolution steps.
Resolution:
Try the following procedure to fix the problem-
Configure the BIOS to boot the system from the Windows XP installation disc.
Insert the Windows XP bootable disc and restart the system.
When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears, press a key to boot the system from the Windows installation CD/DVD.
At the "Welcome to Setup" screen, press R to enter the recovery console.
Choose the Windows installation for which you want to rebuild the Boot.ini file.
Give the administrative password, if prompted.
Run bootcfg/list" command at the command prompt and press Enter' key. The Boot.ini file entries will be displayed on the screen.
Now, run bootcfg/rebuild' command at the command prompt and press the Enter' key again.
Now, enter bootcfg /rebuild and press the Enter key to scan hard disk and rebuild the Boot.ini file.
Follow the instructions as they appear.
Quit the Recovery Console by typing exit' at the command prompt. The computer will restart.
If the problem still persists, you should free download data recovery software of a reputed company having expertise in the field of data recovery. These software comprehensible and easy-to-use. They facilitate an efficient Windows hard drive recovery by using advanced scanning algorithms to recover all the lost hard drive data.
Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is a powerful utility that recovers lost, formatted, or deleted data from FAT, NTFS, and exFAT file systems. It is c compatible with Windows 7, Vista, Server 2003, XP, and 2000.
