boot.ini is giving me a headache

[Guest]

I am running a Japanese version of Windows XP home on partition1, English
Windows 2000 Pro on Partition 2 and English Windows XP Pro on Partition 3
using System commander 7. Unfortunately the only one that wont boot properly
is the Japanese XP Home which goes into a list of possible choices. I have
tried the MSCONFIG utility which has narrowed the field and am left with the
following boot file. default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)/WINDOWS
[Operating Systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)/WINDOWS="Microsoft
Home Edition"/fastdetect y /No Execute=Opt In
C:\Not recognised on drive c( Sorry last line is in Japanese so this is a
translation)
the 3 listed choices when I try to start it are 1. Windows XP Home, 2. Not
recognised on drive C and 3. Default. I am not sure but I think it has
something to do with the last line C: etc..
Do I need to change some of the boot.ini, please help I am kind of worried
after 16 hrs at this.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Darren,

First, make a copy of the current Boot.ini file before making changes.

Next , get a blank diskette, format it plainly ( a normal format) and make a bootable-for-XP diskette:
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable
to Start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/314079

This diskette can save you if one if the bootup files gets corrupted.

Is System Commander on its own partition, or is it in the same partition as Japanese XP Home?
Does System Commander hide its partition after loading?

Please be very careful with the following. This is an example of what your multi-boot Boot.ini "should" have. Modify according to your specific needs.
Keep in mind, the first physical partition (if not hidden) on HD shows as partition 1 in Boot.ini.

Also, note my Windows XP is in folder named Windows. Some setups may have it in WINNT folder.

Example of Boot.ini for your situation (looks as if you have IDE drive.... not SCSI)
Be careful to note what "your pc" has for Default. Contents are between the asterisks.

***********Disregard Asterisks Do not put in Boot.ini *********************
[boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Normal" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS = "Windows 2000" /fastdetect /sos)
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Prol" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
***********Disregard Asterisks*********************

IF you have a hidden 1st partition, you'd have to bump up the partition number up by 1 each.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

I am running a Japanese version of Windows XP home on partition1,
English Windows 2000 Pro on Partition 2 and English Windows XP Pro on
Partition 3 using System commander 7. Unfortunately the only one that
wont boot properly is the Japanese XP Home which goes into a list of
possible choices. I have tried the MSCONFIG utility which has
narrowed the field and am left with the following boot file.
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)/WINDOWS [Operating
Systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)/WINDOWS="Microsoft Home
Edition"/fastdetect y /No Execute=Opt In C:\Not recognised on drive
c( Sorry last line is in Japanese so this is a translation)
the 3 listed choices when I try to start it are 1. Windows XP Home,
2. Not recognised on drive C and 3. Default. I am not sure but I
think it has something to do with the last line C: etc..
Do I need to change some of the boot.ini, please help I am kind of
worried after 16 hrs at this.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Darren, P.S. Your Win2000 may really be in folder \WINNT
Do take good caution.

 

[Guest]

First thanks Maurice fo your prompt and detailed reply.
Perhaps I should explain further. System Commanders installation folders are
in
the Windows XP Professional partitition.The drive has 4 primary partitions,
one very small area at the very start of the disk (0), then XP Home
(Japanese) (1), then Windows 2000 (2) , then the new XP English (3). Looking
at the boot.ini for the newly installed XP it has partition 4 in it so as
your reply suggests the first partition is probably hidden.
I already had XP Home Japanese and Windows 2000 English working fine for
about a year then decided to add Windows XP English version. Originally
System Commander was in XP Home Japanese but after installing XP English last
night it failed to start up the system commanders OS selection menu. After
hours of disk swapping, head bashing and keyboard smashing I decided to
reload System Commander into the newly installed XP English after which it
loaded the System Commander OS selection menu. W2000 and the new XP English
both load up fine so am real afraid of losing the little progress I have
made. Here are the respective boot.ini files from the other Operating systems
installed.

WINDOWS 2000 ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

WINDOWS XP ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

Guess I am kind of a beginner so please keep it simple. If I do change these
and I cant restart will boot cfg or bootcfg / rebuild work in this case do
you think?
Once again thanks for any help you can give me.
Regards, Darren

Darren,

First, make a copy of the current Boot.ini file before making changes.

Next , get a blank diskette, format it plainly ( a normal format) and make a bootable-for-XP diskette:
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable
to Start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/314079

This diskette can save you if one if the bootup files gets corrupted.

Is System Commander on its own partition, or is it in the same partition as Japanese XP Home?
Does System Commander hide its partition after loading?

Please be very careful with the following. This is an example of what your multi-boot Boot.ini "should" have. Modify according to your specific needs.
Keep in mind, the first physical partition (if not hidden) on HD shows as partition 1 in Boot.ini.

Also, note my Windows XP is in folder named Windows. Some setups may have it in WINNT folder.

Example of Boot.ini for your situation (looks as if you have IDE drive.... not SCSI)
Be careful to note what "your pc" has for Default. Contents are between the asterisks.

***********Disregard Asterisks Do not put in Boot.ini *********************
[boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Normal" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS = "Windows 2000" /fastdetect /sos)
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Prol" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
***********Disregard Asterisks*********************

IF you have a hidden 1st partition, you'd have to bump up the partition number up by 1 each.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

I am running a Japanese version of Windows XP home on partition1,
English Windows 2000 Pro on Partition 2 and English Windows XP Pro on
Partition 3 using System commander 7. Unfortunately the only one that
wont boot properly is the Japanese XP Home which goes into a list of
possible choices. I have tried the MSCONFIG utility which has
narrowed the field and am left with the following boot file.
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)/WINDOWS [Operating
Systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)/WINDOWS="Microsoft Home
Edition"/fastdetect y /No Execute=Opt In C:\Not recognised on drive
c( Sorry last line is in Japanese so this is a translation)
the 3 listed choices when I try to start it are 1. Windows XP Home,
2. Not recognised on drive C and 3. Default. I am not sure but I
think it has something to do with the last line C: etc..
Do I need to change some of the boot.ini, please help I am kind of
worried after 16 hrs at this.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Guest]

PS. Sorry I should have said in my last post but forgot, Windows XP Japnese
will actually boot at the screen which asks which OS I want to boot if I
choose WinXP Japanese but restarts the machine if I choose default

First thanks Maurice fo your prompt and detailed reply.
Perhaps I should explain further. System Commanders installation folders are
in
the Windows XP Professional partitition.The drive has 4 primary partitions,
one very small area at the very start of the disk (0), then XP Home
(Japanese) (1), then Windows 2000 (2) , then the new XP English (3). Looking
at the boot.ini for the newly installed XP it has partition 4 in it so as
your reply suggests the first partition is probably hidden.
I already had XP Home Japanese and Windows 2000 English working fine for
about a year then decided to add Windows XP English version. Originally
System Commander was in XP Home Japanese but after installing XP English last
night it failed to start up the system commanders OS selection menu. After
hours of disk swapping, head bashing and keyboard smashing I decided to
reload System Commander into the newly installed XP English after which it
loaded the System Commander OS selection menu. W2000 and the new XP English
both load up fine so am real afraid of losing the little progress I have
made. Here are the respective boot.ini files from the other Operating systems
installed.

WINDOWS 2000 ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

WINDOWS XP ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

Guess I am kind of a beginner so please keep it simple. If I do change these
and I cant restart will boot cfg or bootcfg / rebuild work in this case do
you think?
Once again thanks for any help you can give me.
Regards, Darren

Darren,

First, make a copy of the current Boot.ini file before making changes.

Next , get a blank diskette, format it plainly ( a normal format) and make a bootable-for-XP diskette:
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable
to Start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/314079

This diskette can save you if one if the bootup files gets corrupted.

Is System Commander on its own partition, or is it in the same partition as Japanese XP Home?
Does System Commander hide its partition after loading?

Please be very careful with the following. This is an example of what your multi-boot Boot.ini "should" have. Modify according to your specific needs.
Keep in mind, the first physical partition (if not hidden) on HD shows as partition 1 in Boot.ini.

Also, note my Windows XP is in folder named Windows. Some setups may have it in WINNT folder.

Example of Boot.ini for your situation (looks as if you have IDE drive.... not SCSI)
Be careful to note what "your pc" has for Default. Contents are between the asterisks.

***********Disregard Asterisks Do not put in Boot.ini *********************
[boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Normal" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS = "Windows 2000" /fastdetect /sos)
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Prol" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
***********Disregard Asterisks*********************

IF you have a hidden 1st partition, you'd have to bump up the partition number up by 1 each.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

I am running a Japanese version of Windows XP home on partition1,
English Windows 2000 Pro on Partition 2 and English Windows XP Pro on
Partition 3 using System commander 7. Unfortunately the only one that
wont boot properly is the Japanese XP Home which goes into a list of
possible choices. I have tried the MSCONFIG utility which has
narrowed the field and am left with the following boot file.
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)/WINDOWS [Operating
Systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)/WINDOWS="Microsoft Home
Edition"/fastdetect y /No Execute=Opt In C:\Not recognised on drive
c( Sorry last line is in Japanese so this is a translation)
the 3 listed choices when I try to start it are 1. Windows XP Home,
2. Not recognised on drive C and 3. Default. I am not sure but I
think it has something to do with the last line C: etc..
Do I need to change some of the boot.ini, please help I am kind of
worried after 16 hrs at this.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

There are several factors at issue, and I'm not sure how much more help I will be. I have no experience with System Commander.
My experience is with Boot Magic. I always place any boot manager on the 1st partition.

To your knowledge, which partitions are hidden when you bring up 1 of the O.S.s ? When you bring up o.s. # A, are B & C supposed to be hidden?

Obviously System Commander should have stayed (or been restored) where it was.

From the looks of it, you have a separate Boot.ini file for each operating system. Is that by your design or intent?

It is just possible the XP system boot files on your XP Japanese are missing or corrupted. You should consider copying those from your XP English and copying them into the Japanese XP.
Copy these system files
ntldr
ntdetect.com

They go in the root of the drive in question. ( And in a more normal setup for a multi-boot, there would only be 1 Boot.ini & 1 set of boot files in the first C drive).
Be careful because those 2 files are hidden, and read-only.

The unidentified operating system is likely your Japanese XP, and, that partition is not hidden when the other 1 of the other 2 is running.

Your Japanese XP's Boot.ini likely should be like the following.
Contents are between the asterisks.

***********Disregard Asterisks Do not put in Boot.ini *********************
[boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT = "Japanese Windows XP" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
***********Disregard Asterisks*********************

Note the descriptive name for XP between the double quotes can be customized the way you like.
This assumes your Japanese is 1 partition up from the others, AND that it's Windows is at folder WINNT (like the others).

Do take caution to first copy your existing files BEFORE you change or over-write them.
And as always, all of this is at your own risk.

Best of luck.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

PS. Sorry I should have said in my last post but forgot, Windows XP
Japnese will actually boot at the screen which asks which OS I want
to boot if I choose WinXP Japanese but restarts the machine if I
choose default

First thanks Maurice fo your prompt and detailed reply.
Perhaps I should explain further. System Commanders installation
folders are in
the Windows XP Professional partitition.The drive has 4 primary
partitions, one very small area at the very start of the disk (0),
then XP Home (Japanese) (1), then Windows 2000 (2) , then the new XP
English (3). Looking at the boot.ini for the newly installed XP it
has partition 4 in it so as your reply suggests the first partition
is probably hidden. I already had XP Home Japanese and Windows 2000
English working fine for about a year then decided to add Windows XP
English version. Originally System Commander was in XP Home Japanese
but after installing XP English last night it failed to start up the
system commanders OS selection menu. After hours of disk swapping,
head bashing and keyboard smashing I decided to reload System
Commander into the newly installed XP English after which it loaded
the System Commander OS selection menu. W2000 and the new XP English
both load up fine so am real afraid of losing the little progress I
have made. Here are the respective boot.ini files from the other
Operating systems installed.

WINDOWS 2000 ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

WINDOWS XP ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

Guess I am kind of a beginner so please keep it simple. If I do
change these and I cant restart will boot cfg or bootcfg / rebuild
work in this case do you think?
Once again thanks for any help you can give me.
Regards, Darren

 

[Guest]

Hi Maurice,
Problem solved, YIpee, it was as you wrote in your reply. Each operating
system has its own boot.ini file and System Commander loads itself into
memory at machine start up then loads the specific OS boot file. The boot
file for the problem WXP Home should have pointed to Partition 2 not 4.
Thanks for you help, no more keyboard bashing for a while hopefully !!
Regards,
Darren

There are several factors at issue, and I'm not sure how much more help I will be. I have no experience with System Commander.
My experience is with Boot Magic. I always place any boot manager on the 1st partition.

To your knowledge, which partitions are hidden when you bring up 1 of the O.S.s ? When you bring up o.s. # A, are B & C supposed to be hidden?

Obviously System Commander should have stayed (or been restored) where it was.

From the looks of it, you have a separate Boot.ini file for each operating system. Is that by your design or intent?

It is just possible the XP system boot files on your XP Japanese are missing or corrupted. You should consider copying those from your XP English and copying them into the Japanese XP.
Copy these system files
ntldr
ntdetect.com

They go in the root of the drive in question. ( And in a more normal setup for a multi-boot, there would only be 1 Boot.ini & 1 set of boot files in the first C drive).
Be careful because those 2 files are hidden, and read-only.

The unidentified operating system is likely your Japanese XP, and, that partition is not hidden when the other 1 of the other 2 is running.

Your Japanese XP's Boot.ini likely should be like the following.
Contents are between the asterisks.

***********Disregard Asterisks Do not put in Boot.ini *********************
[boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT = "Japanese Windows XP" /fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn
***********Disregard Asterisks*********************

Note the descriptive name for XP between the double quotes can be customized the way you like.
This assumes your Japanese is 1 partition up from the others, AND that it's Windows is at folder WINNT (like the others).

Do take caution to first copy your existing files BEFORE you change or over-write them.
And as always, all of this is at your own risk.

Best of luck.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

PS. Sorry I should have said in my last post but forgot, Windows XP
Japnese will actually boot at the screen which asks which OS I want
to boot if I choose WinXP Japanese but restarts the machine if I
choose default

First thanks Maurice fo your prompt and detailed reply.
Perhaps I should explain further. System Commanders installation
folders are in
the Windows XP Professional partitition.The drive has 4 primary
partitions, one very small area at the very start of the disk (0),
then XP Home (Japanese) (1), then Windows 2000 (2) , then the new XP
English (3). Looking at the boot.ini for the newly installed XP it
has partition 4 in it so as your reply suggests the first partition
is probably hidden. I already had XP Home Japanese and Windows 2000
English working fine for about a year then decided to add Windows XP
English version. Originally System Commander was in XP Home Japanese
but after installing XP English last night it failed to start up the
system commanders OS selection menu. After hours of disk swapping,
head bashing and keyboard smashing I decided to reload System
Commander into the newly installed XP English after which it loaded
the System Commander OS selection menu. W2000 and the new XP English
both load up fine so am real afraid of losing the little progress I
have made. Here are the respective boot.ini files from the other
Operating systems installed.

WINDOWS 2000 ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

WINDOWS XP ENGLISH
[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Unidentified operating system on drive C."

Guess I am kind of a beginner so please keep it simple. If I do
change these and I cant restart will boot cfg or bootcfg / rebuild
work in this case do you think?
Once again thanks for any help you can give me.
Regards, Darren

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Darren,
Most welcome news. Glad to be of help.
Happy computing.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

Hi Maurice,
Problem solved, YIpee, it was as you wrote in your reply. Each
operating system has its own boot.ini file and System Commander loads
itself into memory at machine start up then loads the specific OS
boot file. The boot file for the problem WXP Home should have pointed
to Partition 2 not 4. Thanks for you help, no more keyboard bashing
for a while hopefully !! Regards,
Darren

There are several factors at issue, and I'm not sure how much more
help I will be. I have no experience with System Commander. My
experience is with Boot Magic. I always place any boot manager on
the 1st partition.

To your knowledge, which partitions are hidden when you bring up 1
of the O.S.s ? When you bring up o.s. # A, are B & C supposed to be
hidden?

Obviously System Commander should have stayed (or been restored)
where it was.

From the looks of it, you have a separate Boot.ini file for each
operating system. Is that by your design or intent?

It is just possible the XP system boot files on your XP Japanese are
missing or corrupted. You should consider copying those from your XP
English and copying them into the Japanese XP. Copy these system
files ntldr ntdetect.com

They go in the root of the drive in question. ( And in a more
normal setup for a multi-boot, there would only be 1 Boot.ini & 1
set of boot files in the first C drive). Be careful because those 2
files are hidden, and read-only.

The unidentified operating system is likely your Japanese XP, and,
that partition is not hidden when the other 1 of the other 2 is
running.

Your Japanese XP's Boot.ini likely should be like the following.
Contents are between the asterisks.

***********Disregard Asterisks Do not put in Boot.ini
********************* [boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT = "Japanese Windows XP"
/fastdetect /sos) /NoExecute=OptIn ***********Disregard
Asterisks*********************

Note the descriptive name for XP between the double quotes can be
customized the way you like. This assumes your Japanese is 1
partition up from the others, AND that it's Windows is at folder
WINNT (like the others).

Do take caution to first copy your existing files BEFORE you change
or over-write them. And as always, all of this is at your own risk.

Best of luck.

 

[Data Recovery Expert]

If you want to learn about Partition, Hard Disks, File systems and Data
Recovery, Book "Data Recovery with & without Programming"

You can see the contents of the book on following Link:



http://www.DataDoctor.biz/author.htm



Regards

TT

 

[Data Recovery Expert]

If you want to learn about Partition, Hard Disks, File systems and Data
Recovery, Book "Data Recovery with & without Programming"

You can see the contents of the book on following Link:



http://www.DataDoctor.biz/author.htm



Regards

TT

 

[Data Recovery Expert]

If you want to learn about Partition, Hard Disks, File systems and Data
Recovery, Book "Data Recovery with & without Programming"

You can see the contents of the book on following Link:



http://www.DataDoctor.biz/author.htm



Regards

TT

 

[Data Recovery Expert]

If you want to learn about Partition, Hard Disks, File systems and Data
Recovery, Book "Data Recovery with & without Programming"

You can see the contents of the book on following Link:



http://www.DataDoctor.biz/author.htm



Regards

TT

 

[Data Recovery Expert]

If you want to learn about Partition, Hard Disks, File systems and Data
Recovery, Book "Data Recovery with & without Programming"

You can see the contents of the book on following Link:



http://www.DataDoctor.biz/author.htm



Regards

TT

 

[Data Recovery Expert]

If you want to learn about Partition, Hard Disks, File systems and Data
Recovery, Book "Data Recovery with & without Programming"

You can see the contents of the book on following Link:



http://www.DataDoctor.biz/author.htm



Regards

TT