HI Everyone..Requesting help/guidance!!

Ok problem is...on XP-Pro...Sys Specare at footer!
For some reason My BOOT.INI has gone astray or corrupt!
Each time I log on I get message ! Invalid BOOT.INI File....Booting from C:Windows.
I tried going MSCONFIG..and looking for the bit about boot there but its not showing .
Tried a Repair installation OR at least tried to but didnt give me a Repair option..maybe due to this ***** Boot.ini file grrrrr...
Then tried to instal the Recovery Console but wouldnt allow me to to that either came up with error message couldnt proceed or similar with again ref to need BOOT.INI file...
Looking about on the net I did see windows back up this file in WINDOWS and found the back up ..... as follows....

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

Im wondering is there any place I can copy this to to remedy the situation???? If not how may I without a reformat put things right??
Many thanks for help suggestion
Les

Windows: Windows XP5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.2180
Memory (RAM): 2048 MB
CPU Info: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 4.00GHz
CPU Speed: 2990.1 MHz
Sound card: C-Media Wave Device
Display Adapters: MEDION RADEON 9800XL | MEDION RADEON 9800XL Secondary
Screen Resolution: 1024 X 768 - 32 bit
Network: Network Present
Network Adapters: PRISM 802.11g Wireless Adapter (3890) - Packet Scheduler Miniport | VIA VT6105 Rhine III Fast Ethernet Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
CD / DVD Drives: K: SONY DVD-ROM DDU1612 | L: PIONEER DVD RW DVR-106D
:
COM Ports: COM3 | COM1
LPT Ports: LPT1
Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 249.0GB | D: 195.0GB | F: 154.1GB
Hard Disks - Free: C: 229.4GB | D: 142.6GB | F: 138.5GB
USB Controllers: 5 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): 1 host controllers.
PCMCIA (Laptops): Not Installed
Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Product Make: MS-7012
:
AC Power Status: OnLine
BIOS Info: AT/AT COMPATIBLE | 09/29/03 | IntelR - 42302e31
Time Zone: GMT Standard Time
Battery: No Battery
Motherboard: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-7012
Modem: Creatix V.9X DSP Data Fax Modem

hello no123les,

unfortunatly it is not my area of expertise and i am sure that one of the techs will be on shortly. to do a repair install you need to boot from windows xp cd and choose new install and it will detect your current install of windows and it will give you the option to repair it

hope this helps
genie3251

edit: Please do not double post your problem

Hie thanks for reply ..I did try as you say ...BUT wouldnt NEW INSTALL as opposed to REPAIR ..just do that NEW!!! Esp as it cant see the **** BOOT.INI...
It wouldnt allow me to do a repair even without the boot.ini!Grrrrrrrrrr
Ive so much on my pc I couldntrisk it being over written and lost!! Ok back up I know but right now Im looking for a easier option..
But thanks for taking time out to reply..
Les

hey no123les,

lets just wait for the techs to get here maybe they can find an easier way to fix this problem

genie3251

Are you saying that the tab boot.ini isn't showing or the information in the tab isn't there?

If you right click on "My Computer" > properties > Advanced tab > Start up and Recovery > settings > Edit - you can check/add your boot.ini script in there.

Did you put the space into Microsoft here? Or is that how it appears in your boot.ini?

Hi Hengis.Thanks for message and trying to help...to clarify in msconfig window ie tab boot,ini isnt showing and niether is any info there!!
I tried the right click on My Computer ,,says.....
The c:\boot.ini can not be opened. Operating System and Timeout Settings can not be changed.
Soooo still baffled !!!

I believe that this could solve your problem, although it applies to 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you open the System tool in Control Panel, and then click the Advanced tab in the System Properties dialog box to make changes to your System Startup options on a Windows Server 2003-based computer, you may receive the following error message: The C:\boot.ini file can not be opened. Operating System and Timeout settings can not be changed.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, manually edit the Boot.ini file in Notepad. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.
2. On the File menu, click Open.
3. In the Open dialog box, change the selection in the Files of type box to All Files, and then change the selection in the Look in box to the root of your startup (boot) drive.
4. In the root folder of your startup drive, open the Boot.ini file.
Note The Boot.ini file is a hidden operating system file. To find the Boot.ini file, change your folder options in Windows. To do this, follow these steps:a. Right-click Start and then click Explore.
b. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options.
c. On the View tab, double-click Hidden files and folders, and then click Show hidden files and folders.
d. Click to clear the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box.
e. Click Yes to the following message:
You have chosen to display protected operating system files (files labeled System and Hidden) in Windows Explorer.
These files are required to start and run Windows. Deleting or editing them can make your computer inoperable. Are you sure you want to display these files?
f. Click OK to close the Folder Options dialog box.

5. Make the changes that you want to the Boot.ini file, and then on the File menu, click Save.
6. On the File menu, click Exit to close the Boot.ini file and to quit Notepad.