I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot system and after
copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I receive a
disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.

Details:

Computer Dell Dimension 4100
Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating system and
assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.

Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating system and
associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB. I've used
the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a new
replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new drives in
the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old drive and
substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot selection screen
and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk configuration
error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of Windows 2000.

Frank

"frank" wrote:

> I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot system and after
> copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I receive a
> disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
>
> Details:
>
> Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating system and
> assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
>
> Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating system and
> associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB. I've used
> the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a new
> replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new drives in
> the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old drive and
> substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot selection screen
> and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk configuration
> error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of Windows 2000.
>
> Frank
>

Additional facts that I thought might be useful:
New drive is an Ultra DMA. It can be seen in the system as a third drive
when the old harddrive is installed and it is connected to the CDROM drive
cable.

Frank

"frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:C7E3F083-5F0E-4BBE-9051-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot system and
after
> copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I receive
a
> disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
>
> Details:
>
> Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating system and
> assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
>
> Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating system and
> associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB. I've used
> the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a new
> replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new drives
in
> the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old drive and
> substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot selection
screen
> and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk configuration
> error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of Windows
2000.
>
> Frank
>

How exactly did you copy the old disk to the new disk? You mention
"software supplied with the drive" (which works independently of
Windows!), and you also say "I did this . . . by booting to Windows"
(which implies that you performed the copy process from within
Windows).

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>
> "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:C7E3F083-5F0E-4BBE-9051-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot system and
> after
> > copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I receive
> a
> > disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
> >
> > Details:
> >
> > Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> > Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating system and
> > assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
> >
> > Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating system and
> > associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB. I've used
> > the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a new
> > replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new drives
> in
> > the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old drive and
> > substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot selection
> screen
> > and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk configuration
> > error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of Windows
> 2000.
> >
> > Frank
> >
>
> How exactly did you copy the old disk to the new disk? You mention
> "software supplied with the drive" (which works independently of
> Windows!), and you also say "I did this . . . by booting to Windows"
> (which implies that you performed the copy process from within
> Windows).
>
>
>

The disk drive manufacturer provided a CD-ROM with a Windows and a DOS based
setup program. I've used both with the same results. With the windows based
program, I booted to Windows 2000 and installed and ran the program from
there. It let me select whether this was a boot drive and what the partition
configuration would be. It then automatically went through a process of
copying all of the files. When I replaced the old drive with the new drive,
I got the error I described.

I also used the DOS version (I think it was called Candelara dr2 or
something like that). That software also allowed me to select that this was
a boot drive and it copied all of the files. Results were the same.

I also tried partitioning the drive as a non-boot drive and copied all of
the files using this utility with the same results.

I've reinstalled the old disk with the new one as a secondary slave and
booted into Windows 2000 properly (the old drive still works) and checked the
winnt\system32 folders on the copied drive to be sure that the NTOSKRNL.exe
and hal.dll files were both available and they are.

The way the failure occurs is that I get the os boot menu and make a
selection. The screen then goes black for about 30 seconds before the error
message appears. The error message is:

"Windows 2000 could not start because of a computer disk hardware
configuration problem.

Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path and disk
hardware.

Check Windows 2000 documentation about hardware disk configuration and your
hardware reference manuals for additional information."

Since I can read the system files on the new drive, it appears that the
drive is working ok and since the old drive sill boots up properly, it seems
that the boot process that goes to the drive is still working .... so I'm
completely stumped???

One other thing ... I've looked at the drives in the disk manager and this
is what they show:

Disk 0 Basic 38.16 GB FAT32 Healthy (System)
Disk 1 Basic 42.09 GB FAT32 Healthy (Boot)
Disk 2 Basic 74.53 GB FAT32 Healthy (Active)

I hope I've not been too long winded. Thanks for your help.

"frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8037543B-2861-4FFD-A1EE-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:C7E3F083-5F0E-4BBE-9051-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot system
and
> > after
> > > copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I
receive
> > a
> > > disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
> > >
> > > Details:
> > >
> > > Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> > > Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating system
and
> > > assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
> > >
> > > Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating system
and
> > > associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB. I've
used
> > > the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a new
> > > replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new
drives
> > in
> > > the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old drive
and
> > > substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot selection
> > screen
> > > and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk
configuration
> > > error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of
Windows
> > 2000.
> > >
> > > Frank
> > >
> >
> > How exactly did you copy the old disk to the new disk? You mention
> > "software supplied with the drive" (which works independently of
> > Windows!), and you also say "I did this . . . by booting to Windows"
> > (which implies that you performed the copy process from within
> > Windows).
> >
> >
> >
>
> The disk drive manufacturer provided a CD-ROM with a Windows and a DOS
based
> setup program. I've used both with the same results. With the windows
based
> program, I booted to Windows 2000 and installed and ran the program from
> there. It let me select whether this was a boot drive and what the
partition
> configuration would be. It then automatically went through a process of
> copying all of the files. When I replaced the old drive with the new
drive,
> I got the error I described.
>
> I also used the DOS version (I think it was called Candelara dr2 or
> something like that). That software also allowed me to select that this
was
> a boot drive and it copied all of the files. Results were the same.
>
> I also tried partitioning the drive as a non-boot drive and copied all of
> the files using this utility with the same results.
>
> I've reinstalled the old disk with the new one as a secondary slave and
> booted into Windows 2000 properly (the old drive still works) and checked
the
> winnt\system32 folders on the copied drive to be sure that the
NTOSKRNL.exe
> and hal.dll files were both available and they are.
>
> The way the failure occurs is that I get the os boot menu and make a
> selection. The screen then goes black for about 30 seconds before the
error
> message appears. The error message is:
>
> "Windows 2000 could not start because of a computer disk hardware
> configuration problem.
>
> Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path and disk
> hardware.
>
> Check Windows 2000 documentation about hardware disk configuration and
your
> hardware reference manuals for additional information."
>
> Since I can read the system files on the new drive, it appears that the
> drive is working ok and since the old drive sill boots up properly, it
seems
> that the boot process that goes to the drive is still working .... so I'm
> completely stumped???
>
> One other thing ... I've looked at the drives in the disk manager and this
> is what they show:
>
> Disk 0 Basic 38.16 GB FAT32 Healthy (System)
> Disk 1 Basic 42.09 GB FAT32 Healthy (Boot)
> Disk 2 Basic 74.53 GB FAT32 Healthy (Active)
>
> I hope I've not been too long winded. Thanks for your help.

What you wrote is about the level of detail required to make some
suggestions.

Your Win2000 boot files are currently located on drive C:. This
must also be your primary master disk, as determined by its
jumpers and by the motherboard socket used for its ribbon cable.

The hidden file c:\boot.ini should look like so:

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
c:\="Windows ME"

I expect values of x=1 and y=1. I now suggest you try this:

- Launch WinME.
- Start a DOS prompt.
- Type these commands:
attrib -s -h -r c:\boot.ini
notepad c:\boot.ini
- Make sure that x=1.
- Make y=1, 2, 3 between reboots

If unsuccessful, make x=0 and y=1.

This won't affect your ability to boot into Windows ME.

Thanks for your help, I think we are getting to the cause of the problem.

OK the boot.ini file is as follows:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=signature(88f7d69e)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
signature(88f7d69e)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows
2000" /fastdetect
c:\="Microsoft Windows"

So, it doesn't follow the format that you listed, but uses a signature
parameter.

This file does boot successfully to the old drive, so I wonder if the
signature parameter is somehow specifing that particular drive hardware????

Is it OK to modify this file to use the format that you provided?

Thanks again!!!!


"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>
> "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:8037543B-2861-4FFD-A1EE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > news:C7E3F083-5F0E-4BBE-9051-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot system
> and
> > > after
> > > > copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I
> receive
> > > a
> > > > disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
> > > >
> > > > Details:
> > > >
> > > > Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> > > > Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating system
> and
> > > > assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
> > > >
> > > > Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating system
> and
> > > > associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB. I've
> used
> > > > the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a new
> > > > replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new
> drives
> > > in
> > > > the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old drive
> and
> > > > substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot selection
> > > screen
> > > > and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk
> configuration
> > > > error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of
> Windows
> > > 2000.
> > > >
> > > > Frank
> > > >
> > >
> > > How exactly did you copy the old disk to the new disk? You mention
> > > "software supplied with the drive" (which works independently of
> > > Windows!), and you also say "I did this . . . by booting to Windows"
> > > (which implies that you performed the copy process from within
> > > Windows).
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > The disk drive manufacturer provided a CD-ROM with a Windows and a DOS
> based
> > setup program. I've used both with the same results. With the windows
> based
> > program, I booted to Windows 2000 and installed and ran the program from
> > there. It let me select whether this was a boot drive and what the
> partition
> > configuration would be. It then automatically went through a process of
> > copying all of the files. When I replaced the old drive with the new
> drive,
> > I got the error I described.
> >
> > I also used the DOS version (I think it was called Candelara dr2 or
> > something like that). That software also allowed me to select that this
> was
> > a boot drive and it copied all of the files. Results were the same.
> >
> > I also tried partitioning the drive as a non-boot drive and copied all of
> > the files using this utility with the same results.
> >
> > I've reinstalled the old disk with the new one as a secondary slave and
> > booted into Windows 2000 properly (the old drive still works) and checked
> the
> > winnt\system32 folders on the copied drive to be sure that the
> NTOSKRNL.exe
> > and hal.dll files were both available and they are.
> >
> > The way the failure occurs is that I get the os boot menu and make a
> > selection. The screen then goes black for about 30 seconds before the
> error
> > message appears. The error message is:
> >
> > "Windows 2000 could not start because of a computer disk hardware
> > configuration problem.
> >
> > Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path and disk
> > hardware.
> >
> > Check Windows 2000 documentation about hardware disk configuration and
> your
> > hardware reference manuals for additional information."
> >
> > Since I can read the system files on the new drive, it appears that the
> > drive is working ok and since the old drive sill boots up properly, it
> seems
> > that the boot process that goes to the drive is still working .... so I'm
> > completely stumped???
> >
> > One other thing ... I've looked at the drives in the disk manager and this
> > is what they show:
> >
> > Disk 0 Basic 38.16 GB FAT32 Healthy (System)
> > Disk 1 Basic 42.09 GB FAT32 Healthy (Boot)
> > Disk 2 Basic 74.53 GB FAT32 Healthy (Active)
> >
> > I hope I've not been too long winded. Thanks for your help.
>
> What you wrote is about the level of detail required to make some
> suggestions.
>
> Your Win2000 boot files are currently located on drive C:. This
> must also be your primary master disk, as determined by its
> jumpers and by the motherboard socket used for its ribbon cable.
>
> The hidden file c:\boot.ini should look like so:
>
> [boot loader]
> timeout=0
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> c:\="Windows ME"
>
> I expect values of x=1 and y=1. I now suggest you try this:
>
> - Launch WinME.
> - Start a DOS prompt.
> - Type these commands:
> attrib -s -h -r c:\boot.ini
> notepad c:\boot.ini
> - Make sure that x=1.
> - Make y=1, 2, 3 between reboots
>
> If unsuccessful, make x=0 and y=1.
>
> This won't affect your ability to boot into Windows ME.
>
>
>

I went ahead and backed up the boot.ini file and made the changes as you
described and the system booted fine.

Many many thanks for your help ... you are GREAT!!!!!!

Frank


"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>
> "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:8037543B-2861-4FFD-A1EE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > news:C7E3F083-5F0E-4BBE-9051-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot system
> and
> > > after
> > > > copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I
> receive
> > > a
> > > > disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
> > > >
> > > > Details:
> > > >
> > > > Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> > > > Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating system
> and
> > > > assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
> > > >
> > > > Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating system
> and
> > > > associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB. I've
> used
> > > > the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a new
> > > > replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new
> drives
> > > in
> > > > the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old drive
> and
> > > > substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot selection
> > > screen
> > > > and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk
> configuration
> > > > error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of
> Windows
> > > 2000.
> > > >
> > > > Frank
> > > >
> > >
> > > How exactly did you copy the old disk to the new disk? You mention
> > > "software supplied with the drive" (which works independently of
> > > Windows!), and you also say "I did this . . . by booting to Windows"
> > > (which implies that you performed the copy process from within
> > > Windows).
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > The disk drive manufacturer provided a CD-ROM with a Windows and a DOS
> based
> > setup program. I've used both with the same results. With the windows
> based
> > program, I booted to Windows 2000 and installed and ran the program from
> > there. It let me select whether this was a boot drive and what the
> partition
> > configuration would be. It then automatically went through a process of
> > copying all of the files. When I replaced the old drive with the new
> drive,
> > I got the error I described.
> >
> > I also used the DOS version (I think it was called Candelara dr2 or
> > something like that). That software also allowed me to select that this
> was
> > a boot drive and it copied all of the files. Results were the same.
> >
> > I also tried partitioning the drive as a non-boot drive and copied all of
> > the files using this utility with the same results.
> >
> > I've reinstalled the old disk with the new one as a secondary slave and
> > booted into Windows 2000 properly (the old drive still works) and checked
> the
> > winnt\system32 folders on the copied drive to be sure that the
> NTOSKRNL.exe
> > and hal.dll files were both available and they are.
> >
> > The way the failure occurs is that I get the os boot menu and make a
> > selection. The screen then goes black for about 30 seconds before the
> error
> > message appears. The error message is:
> >
> > "Windows 2000 could not start because of a computer disk hardware
> > configuration problem.
> >
> > Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path and disk
> > hardware.
> >
> > Check Windows 2000 documentation about hardware disk configuration and
> your
> > hardware reference manuals for additional information."
> >
> > Since I can read the system files on the new drive, it appears that the
> > drive is working ok and since the old drive sill boots up properly, it
> seems
> > that the boot process that goes to the drive is still working .... so I'm
> > completely stumped???
> >
> > One other thing ... I've looked at the drives in the disk manager and this
> > is what they show:
> >
> > Disk 0 Basic 38.16 GB FAT32 Healthy (System)
> > Disk 1 Basic 42.09 GB FAT32 Healthy (Boot)
> > Disk 2 Basic 74.53 GB FAT32 Healthy (Active)
> >
> > I hope I've not been too long winded. Thanks for your help.
>
> What you wrote is about the level of detail required to make some
> suggestions.
>
> Your Win2000 boot files are currently located on drive C:. This
> must also be your primary master disk, as determined by its
> jumpers and by the motherboard socket used for its ribbon cable.
>
> The hidden file c:\boot.ini should look like so:
>
> [boot loader]
> timeout=0
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> c:\="Windows ME"
>
> I expect values of x=1 and y=1. I now suggest you try this:
>
> - Launch WinME.
> - Start a DOS prompt.
> - Type these commands:
> attrib -s -h -r c:\boot.ini
> notepad c:\boot.ini
> - Make sure that x=1.
> - Make y=1, 2, 3 between reboots
>
> If unsuccessful, make x=0 and y=1.
>
> This won't affect your ability to boot into Windows ME.
>
>
>

Thanks for the feedback.

The "signature" syntax is used under two rather special conditions
which I did not expect to apply in your case - see here.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q227704/


"frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:50D11D09-9A5E-49BC-BF60-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I went ahead and backed up the boot.ini file and made the changes as you
> described and the system booted fine.
>
> Many many thanks for your help ... you are GREAT!!!!!!
>
> Frank
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:8037543B-2861-4FFD-A1EE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > >
> > >
> > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > > news:C7E3F083-5F0E-4BBE-9051-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > > I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot
system
> > and
> > > > after
> > > > > copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I
> > receive
> > > > a
> > > > > disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
> > > > >
> > > > > Details:
> > > > >
> > > > > Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> > > > > Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating
system
> > and
> > > > > assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
> > > > >
> > > > > Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating
system
> > and
> > > > > associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB.
I've
> > used
> > > > > the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a
new
> > > > > replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new
> > drives
> > > > in
> > > > > the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old
drive
> > and
> > > > > substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot
selection
> > > > screen
> > > > > and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk
> > configuration
> > > > > error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of
> > Windows
> > > > 2000.
> > > > >
> > > > > Frank
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > How exactly did you copy the old disk to the new disk? You mention
> > > > "software supplied with the drive" (which works independently of
> > > > Windows!), and you also say "I did this . . . by booting to Windows"
> > > > (which implies that you performed the copy process from within
> > > > Windows).
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > The disk drive manufacturer provided a CD-ROM with a Windows and a DOS
> > based
> > > setup program. I've used both with the same results. With the
windows
> > based
> > > program, I booted to Windows 2000 and installed and ran the program
from
> > > there. It let me select whether this was a boot drive and what the
> > partition
> > > configuration would be. It then automatically went through a process
of
> > > copying all of the files. When I replaced the old drive with the new
> > drive,
> > > I got the error I described.
> > >
> > > I also used the DOS version (I think it was called Candelara dr2 or
> > > something like that). That software also allowed me to select that
this
> > was
> > > a boot drive and it copied all of the files. Results were the same.
> > >
> > > I also tried partitioning the drive as a non-boot drive and copied all
of
> > > the files using this utility with the same results.
> > >
> > > I've reinstalled the old disk with the new one as a secondary slave
and
> > > booted into Windows 2000 properly (the old drive still works) and
checked
> > the
> > > winnt\system32 folders on the copied drive to be sure that the
> > NTOSKRNL.exe
> > > and hal.dll files were both available and they are.
> > >
> > > The way the failure occurs is that I get the os boot menu and make a
> > > selection. The screen then goes black for about 30 seconds before the
> > error
> > > message appears. The error message is:
> > >
> > > "Windows 2000 could not start because of a computer disk hardware
> > > configuration problem.
> > >
> > > Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path and
disk
> > > hardware.
> > >
> > > Check Windows 2000 documentation about hardware disk configuration and
> > your
> > > hardware reference manuals for additional information."
> > >
> > > Since I can read the system files on the new drive, it appears that
the
> > > drive is working ok and since the old drive sill boots up properly, it
> > seems
> > > that the boot process that goes to the drive is still working .... so
I'm
> > > completely stumped???
> > >
> > > One other thing ... I've looked at the drives in the disk manager and
this
> > > is what they show:
> > >
> > > Disk 0 Basic 38.16 GB FAT32 Healthy (System)
> > > Disk 1 Basic 42.09 GB FAT32 Healthy (Boot)
> > > Disk 2 Basic 74.53 GB FAT32 Healthy (Active)
> > >
> > > I hope I've not been too long winded. Thanks for your help.
> >
> > What you wrote is about the level of detail required to make some
> > suggestions.
> >
> > Your Win2000 boot files are currently located on drive C:. This
> > must also be your primary master disk, as determined by its
> > jumpers and by the motherboard socket used for its ribbon cable.
> >
> > The hidden file c:\boot.ini should look like so:
> >
> > [boot loader]
> > timeout=0
> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT
> > [operating systems]
> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
> > Professional" /fastdetect
> > c:\="Windows ME"
> >
> > I expect values of x=1 and y=1. I now suggest you try this:
> >
> > - Launch WinME.
> > - Start a DOS prompt.
> > - Type these commands:
> > attrib -s -h -r c:\boot.ini
> > notepad c:\boot.ini
> > - Make sure that x=1.
> > - Make y=1, 2, 3 between reboots
> >
> > If unsuccessful, make x=0 and y=1.
> >
> > This won't affect your ability to boot into Windows ME.
> >
> >
> >

Thanks for the additional information. The boot.ini change appears to work
without the signature syntax. The installation was done from within WinME as
I recall, so perhaps that OS had used the interrupt that is discussed in the
KB article. I much prefer that boot not be tied to a particular piece of
hardware in the event future maintenance is needed.

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

> Thanks for the feedback.
>
> The "signature" syntax is used under two rather special conditions
> which I did not expect to apply in your case - see here.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q227704/
>
>
> "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:50D11D09-9A5E-49BC-BF60-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I went ahead and backed up the boot.ini file and made the changes as you
> > described and the system booted fine.
> >
> > Many many thanks for your help ... you are GREAT!!!!!!
> >
> > Frank
> >
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > news:8037543B-2861-4FFD-A1EE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "frank" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > > > news:C7E3F083-5F0E-4BBE-9051-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > > > I am trying to replace a failing disk on a Windows dual boot
> system
> > > and
> > > > > after
> > > > > > copying all of the files and attempting to boot to the new drive I
> > > receive
> > > > > a
> > > > > > disk configuration error message and Windows 2000 will not boot.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Details:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Computer Dell Dimension 4100
> > > > > > Disk 0 - Master - drive C: contains the Windows Me operating
> system
> > > and
> > > > > > assoicated files. This disk is not being replaced.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Disk 1 - Slave - drive D: containes the Windows 2000 operating
> system
> > > and
> > > > > > associated files. Old drive is 45GB replacement drive is 80GB.
> I've
> > > used
> > > > > > the software supplied with the drive in Windows 2000 to create a
> new
> > > > > > replacement boot drive. I did this by having both the old and new
> > > drives
> > > > > in
> > > > > > the system and booting to Windows 2000. When I remove the old
> drive
> > > and
> > > > > > substitute the new drive in its place, tI receive the boot
> selection
> > > > > screen
> > > > > > and select Windows 2000 - then after a pause I get the disk
> > > configuration
> > > > > > error message. Going back to the old disk restores operation of
> > > Windows
> > > > > 2000.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Frank
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > How exactly did you copy the old disk to the new disk? You mention
> > > > > "software supplied with the drive" (which works independently of
> > > > > Windows!), and you also say "I did this . . . by booting to Windows"
> > > > > (which implies that you performed the copy process from within
> > > > > Windows).
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > The disk drive manufacturer provided a CD-ROM with a Windows and a DOS
> > > based
> > > > setup program. I've used both with the same results. With the
> windows
> > > based
> > > > program, I booted to Windows 2000 and installed and ran the program
> from
> > > > there. It let me select whether this was a boot drive and what the
> > > partition
> > > > configuration would be. It then automatically went through a process
> of
> > > > copying all of the files. When I replaced the old drive with the new
> > > drive,
> > > > I got the error I described.
> > > >
> > > > I also used the DOS version (I think it was called Candelara dr2 or
> > > > something like that). That software also allowed me to select that
> this
> > > was
> > > > a boot drive and it copied all of the files. Results were the same.
> > > >
> > > > I also tried partitioning the drive as a non-boot drive and copied all
> of
> > > > the files using this utility with the same results.
> > > >
> > > > I've reinstalled the old disk with the new one as a secondary slave
> and
> > > > booted into Windows 2000 properly (the old drive still works) and
> checked
> > > the
> > > > winnt\system32 folders on the copied drive to be sure that the
> > > NTOSKRNL.exe
> > > > and hal.dll files were both available and they are.
> > > >
> > > > The way the failure occurs is that I get the os boot menu and make a
> > > > selection. The screen then goes black for about 30 seconds before the
> > > error
> > > > message appears. The error message is:
> > > >
> > > > "Windows 2000 could not start because of a computer disk hardware
> > > > configuration problem.
> > > >
> > > > Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path and
> disk
> > > > hardware.
> > > >
> > > > Check Windows 2000 documentation about hardware disk configuration and
> > > your
> > > > hardware reference manuals for additional information."
> > > >
> > > > Since I can read the system files on the new drive, it appears that
> the
> > > > drive is working ok and since the old drive sill boots up properly, it
> > > seems
> > > > that the boot process that goes to the drive is still working .... so
> I'm
> > > > completely stumped???
> > > >
> > > > One other thing ... I've looked at the drives in the disk manager and
> this
> > > > is what they show:
> > > >
> > > > Disk 0 Basic 38.16 GB FAT32 Healthy (System)
> > > > Disk 1 Basic 42.09 GB FAT32 Healthy (Boot)
> > > > Disk 2 Basic 74.53 GB FAT32 Healthy (Active)
> > > >
> > > > I hope I've not been too long winded. Thanks for your help.
> > >
> > > What you wrote is about the level of detail required to make some
> > > suggestions.
> > >
> > > Your Win2000 boot files are currently located on drive C:. This
> > > must also be your primary master disk, as determined by its
> > > jumpers and by the motherboard socket used for its ribbon cable.
> > >
> > > The hidden file c:\boot.ini should look like so:
> > >
> > > [boot loader]
> > > timeout=0
> > > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT
> > > [operating systems]
> > > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(x)partition(y)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
> > > Professional" /fastdetect
> > > c:\="Windows ME"
> > >
> > > I expect values of x=1 and y=1. I now suggest you try this:
> > >
> > > - Launch WinME.
> > > - Start a DOS prompt.
> > > - Type these commands:
> > > attrib -s -h -r c:\boot.ini
> > > notepad c:\boot.ini
> > > - Make sure that x=1.
> > > - Make y=1, 2, 3 between reboots
> > >
> > > If unsuccessful, make x=0 and y=1.
> > >
> > > This won't affect your ability to boot into Windows ME.
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
>