Hello RJP,
This type of situation usually calls for some corrective work to be done
thru the use of XP Recovery Console.
Given that you have no XP CD from the manufacturer.....
A couple of starter points.
Q: Does this laptop have a diskette drive? (Even if it just has a connector
to allow an external diskette drive !)
Important, since I'm going to suggest getting & making XP startup diskettes.
Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks MS-KB Article 310994
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310994
You need to do 1 download. Follow instructions. This process makes
a set of 6 diskettes
Get the version that is proper to your edition of XP, and to the service
pack on it.
Obviously, you need to mark each diskette (1 to 6) so you know which is
which. <g>
Once you have the diskettes, boot up from diskette 1. And follow the
prompts for other diskettes.
After the last diskette, you should begin to see options.
Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your
Windows partition by number. Usually it is 1 .
Login to XP with administrator password. (If there is no password,
press TAB key, and press Enter).
The Boot.ini can be rebuilt (repaired) by using BOOTCFG command from the
XP Recovery Console.
To save the old 'boot.ini' first, you first run "bootcfg /copy".
Running "bootcfg /rebuild" rebuilds the BOOT.INI .
Exit the Recovery Console and then see if you can get back into XP.
For later:
HIGHLY Recommend: Make yourself a "save diskette / emergency XP boot"
diskette!
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable
to Start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314079/
References for Recovery Console:
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console - Article ID 314058
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058/
HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/