A+: Windows XP/2000 Boot Errors

Windows XP and 2000 use the NTLDR, Boot.ini, NTDETECT.COM, and Ntoskrnl.exe files during the startup process. If these files are corrupted or missing, you will see corresponding error messages:

• NTDETECT failed— This message is displayed if the NTDETECT.COM file is missing or corrupted.

• NTLDR is missing— This message is displayed if the NTLDR file is missing or corrupted.

• Invalid boot.ini— This message is displayed if the boot.ini file is missing or corrupted. The system might boot anyway, particularly if there is only disk partition on the first hard disk. However, if the system is configured as a dual boot or if Windows is not installed on the first disk partition, you need to re-create or recopy the file to enable your system to boot.

An older message that you might still see once in a while is Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: C:\Winnt\ntoskrnl.exe. This message is typically displayed in Windows NT 4.0 only; Windows XP and 2000’s system file protection features should automatically restore deleted system files such as this one.

To fix these problems, you can

• Reboot with the Windows CD, select Repair, and run the Recovery Console (XP/2000) and recopy the file from the CD or a backup.

• Reboot with the Windows CD, select Repair, and run the Emergency Repair option (Windows 2000).

• Perform a Repair installation of Windows.