Invalid Boot.ini file. NTDETECT failed

[zoeythecat]

Hi All,

Have a Windows2000 professional workstation that will not bootup. The message, "Invalid Boot.ini file. NTDETECT failed". I tried the FIXBOOT and FIXMBR but no go.

TIA.

ZOey

 

[1stITMAN]

Ok have a read of this before u go any further

http://fp.computers.pcc.edu/pmcg/boot_process_2000.htm

then try this

http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/8918/pg/2/2.html

 

[1stITMAN]

http://www.wilsonmar.com/1compu.htm

 

[zoeythecat]

Thanks for your links, appreciate it. However, nothing relates to the error I have. I'm thinking about copying the NTLDR, NTDETECT,Boot.ini files from another Windows2000 Pro computer to see if I can copy these files onto the system having the problem. Last resort will be to reintall/reformat.

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q311073

I know this article suggests downloading and booting from the Windows XP set of boot disk images. MS for example recommends the same initial course to resolve Win2k if there are registry problems under Win2k:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...01-2c68-4de8-9229-ca494362419c&displaylang=en

 

[zoeythecat]

Bcastner,

Thanks for the links. I will follow these instructions to create the boot disk.

Thanks

 

[zoeythecat]

Hey all,

Thanks for all the links you provided. Tried everything. Did not resolve problem. Only solution was to wipe it clean and reinstall. At least the links provided me some possibilities without having to wipe the system.

Thanks for the help.

 

[bcastner]

If you have not done the clean wipe/install yet, go back into Recovery Console:

bootcfg /Rebuild

fixboot c:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=314058

 

[zoeythecat]

Bcastner,

I believe the bootcfg /rebuild works only for XP. I tried that step already and it couldn't find the bootcfg command (wasn't part of the command list). Also tried the fixboot and fixmbr with no luck.

During the wipe of the system it did see the c partition as damaged and unformatted so I wonder if there was just too many problems?

I'm wiping the system now.

Thanks again for your help.

Zoey

 

[bcastner]

My error, up above I had you download and extract the XP boot disks, and use them to access Recovery Console.

The commands are available with that approach. I know it sounds odd, but MS itself recommends this approach for Win2k:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...01-2c68-4de8-9229-ca494362419c&displaylang=en

 

[zoeythecat]

That's the only thing I did not try. I didn't think it was a registry problem but who knows? I will try that next time.

Thanks

 

[bcastner]

zoethecat,

Sorry we did not try this earlier.

Merry Christmas,
Bill

 

[sharjohn]

Is there anything similar to a small program called Boot Log Analyzer (used with Win 95 and Win 98) that I can get for Windows 2000 Professional? The old program would show file/driver name, whether or not it loaded and the time it took to load. You could sort by time to load. I liked the program because it would help to find start up delays.