"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer (330184)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
This article was previously published under Q330184

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer after you upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive one or both of the following error messages:
Invalid Boot.ini
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

Windows\System32\Hal.dll

CAUSE

This issue may occur if the Boot.ini file is missing, damaged, or contains incorrect entries.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer.
  2. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.
  3. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.
  4. When you receive the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to start the Recovery Console.
  5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console.
  6. When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.
  7. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen.
  8. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the results. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. For example, follow these steps to add a Windows XP installation to the Boot.ini file:
    1. When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press Y: Total Identified Windows Installs: 1

      [1] C:\Windows
      Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)
    2. You receive a message that is similar to the following message: Enter Load Identifier This is the name of the operating system. When you receive this message, type the name of your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
    3. You receive a message that is similar to the following: Enter OS Load options When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER.

      Note The instructions that appear on your screen may be different, depending on the configuration of your computer.
  9. Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the "Please select the operating system to start" message.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Bootcfg.exe tool, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

291980 A discussion about the Bootcfg command and its uses

For additional information about the Recovery Console, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

289022 How to edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP

307654 How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/2/2004
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB330184
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.