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"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows Could Not Start" Error
Messages When You Start Your Computer
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This article was previously published under Q330184
SYMPTOMS
When you start your computer after you upgrade to Windows
XP, you may receive one or both of the following error
messages:
Invalid Boot.ini
Windows could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt:
Windows\System32\Hal.dll
CAUSE
This issue may occur if the Boot.ini file is missing,
damaged, or contains incorrect entries.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, start the computer from the
Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use
the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file:
Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-
ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your
computer documentation or contact your computer
manufacturer.
Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive, and then restart your computer.
When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message,
press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-
ROM.
When you see the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to
start the Recovery Console.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select
the installation that you have to use from the Recovery
Console.
When you are prompted to do so, type the administrator
password, and then press ENTER.
At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press
ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file are
displayed on the screen.
At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then
press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the
computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or
Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the
results. Follow the on-screen instructions to add the
Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. The following
is an example of how to add a Windows XP installation to
the Boot.ini file:
You receive a message that is similar to the following:
Total Identified Windows Installs: 1
[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)
When you receive the message in step a, press Y.
You receive a message that is similar to the following:
Enter Load Identifier
This is the name of the operating system.
When you receive the message in step c, type the name of
your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is
either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft
Windows XP Home Edition.
You receive a message that is similar to the following:
Enter OS Load options
The instructions that are displayed on your screen may be
different depending on the configuration of your computer.
When you receive the message in step e, type /fastdetect,
and then press ENTER.
Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console.
Your computer restarts and the updated boot list is
displayed when you receive the "Please select the
operating system to start" message.
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