ntldr, boot.ini, NTDETECT.com - On a different driver? How did this ha

[KrAzY]

Ok, I just formatted. I have one drive that has two partitions and then I have another drive with one partition:

C: (Drive 01, Partition 01)

E: (Drive 01, Partition 02)

D: (Drive 02, Partition 01)

For some reason when I installed XP, it placed these three files (ntldr, NTDETECT.com, boot.ini) on my E: . For one why the hell would it do this and two I don't like it one bit.

I wanted to change my drive letters around so E: would be D: and D: would be E:. When I tried to do it, it gave me an error that it couldn't modify the boot disk drive letter. This is when i discovered that it placed those three files on E:.

Is there anyway to get those files back onto C: and still have it boot properly?

Thanks in advance...

[KrAzY]

Could I edit the boot.ini:

[boot loader]

timeout=1

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

to:

[boot loader]

timeout=1

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

Basically changing 2 to 1 and then move all three files to C:

Sounds risky?!

[WarBUCKs]

Well... in the long run that is what you are going to have to do. First off though I would create an XP Emergency backup disk. I haven't created one myself, but I believe it is the same as a NT backup disk. Just copy NTDETECT.COM, NTLDR, and the BOOT.INI files to a floppy. (you might want to check up on this)

In Fact this is even better. Create the disk and just copy/paste the files you want moved to the location where you want them. Now insert the boot disk with the modified Boot.ini file and you should be able to test out your new locations

As long as you have an "emergency boot disk" you should be alright. With the disk you should technically be able to delete the files from your harddrive and still be able to boot up XP.

If you post what drives are Primary Master/Slave or however you have your rig setup I could probably setup the Boot.ini file for you.

Hope this helps.

:cool:

[WarBUCKs]

Wait... I saw your descriptions of your drives. I forgot to look again. Looks like that should be it, but I would still test it out with a EBD (Emergency Boot Disk).

[Steven]

  Quote

hey, i have screwed up my Windows XP boot . i dont what to do. How can i fix it so i boot back into xp again and have the right boot menu!?

Start your computer by using the Windows XP Setup floppy disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM. At the "Welcome to Setup" screen, press F10 or press R to repair, and start the Windows Recovery Console

use the XP Recovery Console and Blast Out the BOOTSECTOR

use FIXBOOT and FIXMBR and the command BOOTCFG to recreate the boot configuration.

these three will fix your setup

in this order

FIXMBR first then FIXBOOT then use BOOTCFG /rebuild or BOOTCFG /scan

Use this Page for more assistance with XP's Recovery Console its a very good page >> "Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console" >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...b;en-us;Q314058

i hope this makes any sense to you, i've spent about 3 mins perfecting this reply lol.

--Good Luck--

-xStainDx

P.S. You Dont Need backup floppies in XP when it comes to the boot setup, why? Windows XP stores all this information in the Driver Cache Directory. When you run these commands as listed above it'll recreate ntdetect and the others from the cache files.

[WarBUCKs]

Thanks for the info. I will remember that.

[KrAzY]

Thank you for the information... I will bookmark that page immediately.