C: directory files

[kurtismonger]

The other day I had a problem with a utility I use writing thousands of tiny random files to several of my drives (C & D). I went through and cleaned them up, carefully watching out for files that belonged there. Windows continued to run fine. Now 3 days later I had to reboot my machine (XP Pro) and I got the 'ol NTLDR missing. I was able to copy it over from the install CD using the recovery console. My question is, are there any other boot files, etc that are kept on the root of C: and if so, can I restore them from the install CD as I did NTLDR.

I also used bootcfg /rebuild to create my boot.ini

Before I try to boot from the HD I just want a sanity check.

 

[kurtismonger]

Well, I guess I answered my own question. The system appears to boot fine after I copied ntdetect.com from the cd to the C: directory.
I guess I will ask a slightly different question. Is there anything else I might be missing after doing such a boneheaded thing?

Other than the pagefile.sys and DAT files related to my AV software, which I did not delete, there doesn't appear to be anything else missing.

 

[Frank4d]

The following files are required to be in the root directory:
io.sys
msdos.sys
boot.ini
ntldr
ntdetect.com
pagefile.sys (but Windows can recreate it if missing)
autoexec.bat (only for some apps)
config.sys (only for some apps)

boot.ini is specific to your hardware so you can't just copy it from a CD or from another system (except boot.ini copied from a system with only one OS, one IDE drive, and one partition will usually work).

 

[linney]

For this drive to boot XP must access the Boot.ini file, NtLdr and NtDetect.com. These are hidden and system files on the C: drive root.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q291/9/80.asp

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP (Q314079)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q314/0/79.asp

Q305595 - HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

The boot process.

The PC Boot Process - Windows XP

http://www.dotnetjunkies.com/WebLog/unknownreference/articles/12284.aspx

http://www.winntmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?IssueID=62&ArticleID=3952

The last link requires a subscription.