Well I'll be... I guess I'll have to eat crow! Hmmmm... yum, plus the
feathers make good toothpicks! I just deleted my boot.ini file and
tried it off the hard drive and off a boot diskette without the boot.ini
and in both cases ntdetect said that the boot.ini file was invalid and
passed it right on to %windir% and the pc booted!

Now, how do I cook crow?

John

Dixonian69 wrote:
> Thanks. Like I said I don't know for sure.
> I'll take your word for it. It only makes sense.

"Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:44F3DFC5-4E0E-43D2-95B5-A3F1F95CBD52@microsoft.com...
> live and learn.
> But at least, your getting errors for missing ini file, he didn't mention
> any errors.
>

I assume I'm booting up normally. No error messages unless they happen so
fast that I can't see them. My laptop does have boot.ini in msconfig but I
can't find it in a search for "all" files.

Thanks for everyone's input.
--
Bearman
America: Land of the free because of the brave.

In your OP, you said no boot.ini in msconfig. That definitely is misleading.
The boot.ini file has three attributes to prevent most people from messing
with it.
1) read only
2) hidden
3) system file

You have to remove those 3 attributes to view and change the file.
There are work arounds.

You can "view only" in 3 ways. that i know. probably more. no need to
discuss all.
1) Start>Run>c:\boot.ini
2) Start>Run>Msconfig>boot.ini tab
3) Start>My Computer/Explorer and enable folder view option to show hidden
"and" operating system files. Then make sure you search in hidden "and"
system folders.

You can "edit" the file in "at least" 3 ways.
1) Enable view in My Computer, then change file properties so it's no longer
"read only".
Note: the enable view described above, temporarily removes hidden attribute.
2) Thru commands in command prompt. Remove hidden and read only attributes.
3) Start>My computer>rt click, Properties>Advanced>Startup and
Recovery>Settings>Edit

Warning: Do NOT edit boot.ini, if you are not having any problems.
Just use this info for future reference.

--
Dennis S.
I''m from Illinois. I hope I helped you. Good Luck.


"bearman" wrote:

>
> "Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:44F3DFC5-4E0E-43D2-95B5-A3F1F95CBD52@microsoft.com...
> > live and learn.
> > But at least, your getting errors for missing ini file, he didn't mention
> > any errors.
> >
>
> I assume I'm booting up normally. No error messages unless they happen so
> fast that I can't see them. My laptop does have boot.ini in msconfig but I
> can't find it in a search for "all" files.
>
> Thanks for everyone's input.
> --
> Bearman
> America: Land of the free because of the brave.
>
>
>

I did not realize you were not talking about "problem" computer vs laptop.
Obviously, you know how to find boot.ini (ie on laptop).
So apparently you don't have boot.ini on "problem" computer.

Have a good day.

--
Dennis S.
I''m from Illinois. I hope I helped you. Good Luck.


"bearman" wrote:

>
> "Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9646925B-59BD-43AD-9D44-420EBC5DF853@microsoft.com...
> > In your OP, you said no boot.ini in msconfig. That definitely is
> > misleading.
> > The boot.ini file has three attributes to prevent most people from messing
> > with it.
> > 1) read only
> > 2) hidden
> > 3) system file
> >
> > You have to remove those 3 attributes to view and change the file.
> > There are work around.
> >
> > You can "view only" in 3 ways. that i know. probably more. no need to
> > discuss all.
> > 1) Start>Run>c:\boot.ini
> > 2) Start>Run>Msconfig>boot.ini tab
> > 3) Start>My Computer/Explorer and enable folder view option to show hidden
> > "and" operating system files. Then make sure you search in hidden "and"
> > system folders.
> >
> > You can "edit" the file in "at least" 3 ways.
> > 1) Enable view in My Computer, then change file properties so it's no
> > longer
> > "read only".
> > Note: the enable view described above, temporarily removes hidden
> > attribute.
> > 2) Thru commands in command prompt. Remove hidden and read only
> > attributes.
> > 3) Start>My computer>rt click, Properties>Advanced>Startup and
> > Recovery>Settings>Edit
> >
> > Warning: Do NOT edit boot.ini, if you are not having any problems.
> > Just use this info for future reference.
> >
> > --
> > Dennis S.
> > I''m from Illinois. I hope I helped you. Good Luck.
> >
> >
> > "bearman" wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> "Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:44F3DFC5-4E0E-43D2-95B5-A3F1F95CBD52@microsoft.com...
> >> > live and learn.
> >> > But at least, your getting errors for missing ini file, he didn't
> >> > mention
> >> > any errors.
> >> >
> >>
> >> I assume I'm booting up normally. No error messages unless they happen
> >> so
> >> fast that I can't see them. My laptop does have boot.ini in msconfig but
> >> I
> >> can't find it in a search for "all" files.
> >>
> >> Thanks for everyone's input.
> >> --
> >> Bearman
> >> America: Land of the free because of the brave.
>
>
> What's your point? What is misleading? In my OP I said I looked for "all"
> files including hidden and system files. I said boot.ini was not in
> msconfig and it wasn't. In a later post I said that boot.ini was in
> msconfig on my laptop. I did two out of the three ways you talked about and
> boot.ini was not there. I have no desire to edit boot.ini especially since
> it isn't there.
> --
> Bearman
> If it's got tits, tires, tubes, or transistors, it's trouble.
>
>
>

"Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9646925B-59BD-43AD-9D44-420EBC5DF853@microsoft.com...
> In your OP, you said no boot.ini in msconfig. That definitely is
> misleading.
> The boot.ini file has three attributes to prevent most people from messing
> with it.
> 1) read only
> 2) hidden
> 3) system file
>
> You have to remove those 3 attributes to view and change the file.
> There are work arounds.
>
> You can "view only" in 3 ways. that i know. probably more. no need to
> discuss all.
> 1) Start>Run>c:\boot.ini
> 2) Start>Run>Msconfig>boot.ini tab
> 3) Start>My Computer/Explorer and enable folder view option to show hidden
> "and" operating system files. Then make sure you search in hidden "and"
> system folders.
>
> You can "edit" the file in "at least" 3 ways.
> 1) Enable view in My Computer, then change file properties so it's no
> longer
> "read only".
> Note: the enable view described above, temporarily removes hidden
> attribute.
> 2) Thru commands in command prompt. Remove hidden and read only
> attributes.
> 3) Start>My computer>rt click, Properties>Advanced>Startup and
> Recovery>Settings>Edit
>
> Warning: Do NOT edit boot.ini, if you are not having any problems.
> Just use this info for future reference.
>
> --
> Dennis S.
> I''m from Illinois. I hope I helped you. Good Luck.
>
>
> "bearman" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:44F3DFC5-4E0E-43D2-95B5-A3F1F95CBD52@microsoft.com...
>> > live and learn.
>> > But at least, your getting errors for missing ini file, he didn't
>> > mention
>> > any errors.
>> >
>>
>> I assume I'm booting up normally. No error messages unless they happen
>> so
>> fast that I can't see them. My laptop does have boot.ini in msconfig but
>> I
>> can't find it in a search for "all" files.
>>
>> Thanks for everyone's input.
>> --
>> Bearman
>> America: Land of the free because of the brave.


What's your point? What is misleading? In my OP I said I looked for "all"
files including hidden and system files. I said boot.ini was not in
msconfig and it wasn't. In a later post I said that boot.ini was in
msconfig on my laptop. I did two out of the three ways you talked about and
boot.ini was not there. I have no desire to edit boot.ini especially since
it isn't there.
--
Bearman
If it's got tits, tires, tubes, or transistors, it's trouble.

Just a thought.

Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options,
View, Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden
files and folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files
" is unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You
should also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known
file types" is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View,
Details is selected and then select View, Choose Details and check
before Name, Type, Total Size, and Free Space.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FCA

Using invalid email address

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please tell the newsgroup how any
suggested solution worked for you.

http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"bearman" <noyb@home.com> wrote in message
news:yt6dnbJCYtVaL-neRVn-jQ@comcast.com...
>
>>> --
>>> Bearman
>>> America: Land of the free because of the brave.
>
>
> What's your point? What is misleading? In my OP I said I looked for
> "all" files including hidden and system files. I said boot.ini was
> not in msconfig and it wasn't. In a later post I said that boot.ini
> was in msconfig on my laptop. I did two out of the three ways you
> talked about and boot.ini was not there. I have no desire to edit
> boot.ini especially since it isn't there.
> --
> Bearman
> If it's got tits, tires, tubes, or transistors, it's trouble.
>
>

"Gerry Cornell" <gcjc@tenretnitb.com> wrote in message
news:OxxtDT35FHA.2600@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Just a thought.
>
> Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options,
> View, Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden
> files and folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files
> " is unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You
> should also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known
> file types" is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View,
> Details is selected and then select View, Choose Details and check
> before Name, Type, Total Size, and Free Space.


Thanks for that. The key was to uncheck "Hide protected operating system
files." I can see boot.ini in Windows Explorer. But it still doesn't show
up in msconfig. I don't want to change anything ("if it ain't
broke....etc.). I was just curious.
--
Bearman
Occasionally proud but always happy to be an American.

What is the path for the boot.ini file. Do you also have a
boot.ini.backup file on your system? If yes what file path?

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FCA

Using invalid email address

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please tell the newsgroup how any
suggested solution worked for you.

http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"bearman" <noyb@home.com> wrote in message
news:mpCdnU3eptnQjevenZ2dnUVZ_v-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Gerry Cornell" <gcjc@tenretnitb.com> wrote in message
> news:OxxtDT35FHA.2600@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> Just a thought.
>>
>> Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options,
>> View, Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden
>> files and folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system
>> files
>> " is unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item.
>> You
>> should also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for
>> known
>> file types" is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View,
>> Details is selected and then select View, Choose Details and check
>> before Name, Type, Total Size, and Free Space.
>
>
> Thanks for that. The key was to uncheck "Hide protected operating
> system files." I can see boot.ini in Windows Explorer. But it still
> doesn't show up in msconfig. I don't want to change anything ("if it
> ain't broke....etc.). I was just curious.
> --
> Bearman
> Occasionally proud but always happy to be an American.
>
>
>

Boot.ini is in the root of my main drive (F. I don't have a boot.ini
backup.
--
Bearman
America: Land of the free because of the brave.


"Gerry Cornell" <gcjc@tenretnitb.com> wrote in message
news:OJt805$5FHA.2888@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> What is the path for the boot.ini file. Do you also have a boot.ini.backup
> file on your system? If yes what file path?
>
> --
>
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Gerry
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> FCA
>
> Using invalid email address
>
> Stourport, Worcs, England
> Enquire, plan and execute.
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Please tell the newsgroup how any
> suggested solution worked for you.
>
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>
> "bearman" <noyb@home.com> wrote in message
> news:mpCdnU3eptnQjevenZ2dnUVZ_v-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Gerry Cornell" <gcjc@tenretnitb.com> wrote in message
>> news:OxxtDT35FHA.2600@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>> Just a thought.
>>>
>>> Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options,
>>> View, Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden
>>> files and folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files
>>> " is unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You
>>> should also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known
>>> file types" is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View,
>>> Details is selected and then select View, Choose Details and check
>>> before Name, Type, Total Size, and Free Space.
>>
>>
>> Thanks for that. The key was to uncheck "Hide protected operating system
>> files." I can see boot.ini in Windows Explorer. But it still doesn't
>> show up in msconfig. I don't want to change anything ("if it ain't
>> broke....etc.). I was just curious.
>> --
>> Bearman
>> Occasionally proud but always happy to be an American.
>>
>>
>>
>

Do you have multiple drives/volumes? If so, which one is designated as
"active"? Are the system and boot volumes the same or different? Msconfig
looks to the volume designated as "system" for this file, so if it is not
there it will not see it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"bearman" <noyb@home.com> wrote in message
news:qMmdnbbFvPBeLevenZ2dnUVZ_vmdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>
> Boot.ini is in the root of my main drive (F. I don't have a boot.ini
> backup.
> --
> Bearman
> America: Land of the free because of the brave.
>
>
> "Gerry Cornell" <gcjc@tenretnitb.com> wrote in message
> news:OJt805$5FHA.2888@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> What is the path for the boot.ini file. Do you also have a
>> boot.ini.backup file on your system? If yes what file path?
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>> Gerry
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> FCA
>>
>> Using invalid email address
>>
>> Stourport, Worcs, England
>> Enquire, plan and execute.
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Please tell the newsgroup how any
>> suggested solution worked for you.
>>
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
>>
>> "bearman" <noyb@home.com> wrote in message
>> news:mpCdnU3eptnQjevenZ2dnUVZ_v-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>
>>> "Gerry Cornell" <gcjc@tenretnitb.com> wrote in message
>>> news:OxxtDT35FHA.2600@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>>> Just a thought.
>>>>
>>>> Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options,
>>>> View, Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden
>>>> files and folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system
>>>> files
>>>> " is unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You
>>>> should also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known
>>>> file types" is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View,
>>>> Details is selected and then select View, Choose Details and check
>>>> before Name, Type, Total Size, and Free Space.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks for that. The key was to uncheck "Hide protected operating
>>> system files." I can see boot.ini in Windows Explorer. But it still
>>> doesn't show up in msconfig. I don't want to change anything ("if it
>>> ain't broke....etc.). I was just curious.
>>> --
>>> Bearman
>>> Occasionally proud but always happy to be an American.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>