for NTFS or FAT Partitions with Windows XP Overview This step-by-step article describes how to create a boot disk for Windows XP on an Intel processor-based computer to access a drive with an incorrect boot sequence. Note: The steps for a RISC-based computer are different and will not be covered in this article. Request
A blank floppy disk. Windows XP CD-ROM or a functioning Windows XP-based computer. Creating a boot floppy disk with a Windows XP-based computer
1. Format a floppy disk with the Windows XP formatting tool. For example, put a floppy disk in the floppy drive, type format a: at the command prompt, and then press ENTER. 2. Copy the Ntldr and Ntdetect.com files from the I386 folder of the Windows XP CD-ROM, the Windows XP installation floppy disk, or the computer that is running the same version of Windows XP as the computer that you want to access with the boot floppy disk. 3. Create a Boot.ini file (or copy one from a computer running Windows XP) and modify it to match the computer you are trying to access. The following example is for a single-partition IDE drive with Windows XP installed in the \\Windows folder, but the exact value in the [Operating systems] section depends on the configuration of the Windows XP computer you are trying to access: [boot loader] timeout=30 Default= Multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\\Windows [Operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\\windows="Windows XP" If your computer is from When the SCSI hard drive boots, you may need to replace the multi(0) entry with scsi(0). If you are using scsi(x) in the Boot.ini file, copy the correct device driver for the SCSI controller you are using on your computer to the root of the installation disk and rename it to Ntbootdd.sys. Change the number of disk(0) to the SCSI-ID that represents the hard drive you want to boot into. If you are using multi(x) in the Boot.ini file, you don't need to do this. 4. Start the computer with the floppy disk and log in to Windows XP. Creating a boot floppy disk without a Windows XP-based computer
1. Refer to the Q310994 article for information on how to use Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) Instructions for downloading and creating a Windows XP installation disk: 310994 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/EN-US/) Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks 2. Remove New Create all the files in the installation disk 1. 3. Copy the Ntdetect.com and Ntldr files from the I386 folder on the Windows XP CD to the new disk. 4. Rename the Ntldr file to Setupldr.bin. 5. Create a Boot.ini file. The following example is for a single-partition IDE drive installed in the \\Windows folder on Windows XP, but the exact value in the [Operating systems] section depends on the configuration of the Windows XP computer you are launching: [boot loader] timeout=30 Default= multi (0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\\Windows [Operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\\windows="Windows XP" If your computer is from SCSI When the hard drive boots, you may need to replace the multi(0) entry with scsi(0). If you are using scsi(x) in the Boot.ini file, copy the correct device driver for the SCSI controller you are using on your computer to the root of the installation disk and rename it to Ntbootdd.sys. Change the number of disk(0) to the SCSI-ID that represents the hard drive you want to boot into. If you are using multi(x) in the Boot.ini file, you don't need to do this. 6. Start the computer with the floppy disk and log in to Windows XP. How to troubleshoot problems that may be encountered
If the path to these system files is incorrect or includes the drive letter number, you may receive the following error message: Windows XP could not start because of the following ARC firmware boot configuration problem: Did not Properly generate ARC name for HAL and system paths.Please check the Windows XP (TM) documentation about ARC configuration options and your hardware reference manuals for additional information.Boot Failed (Windows XP cannot be started due to the following ARC firmware boot configuration issues: cannot be The HAL and system path generate the correct ARC name. For additional information, check the Windows XP (TM) documentation for the ARC configuration options, and your hardware reference manual. Failed to boot.) If the wrong SCSI driver or Ntbootdd is selected. If the sys file does not exist, you may receive the following error message: Windows XP could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem.Could n Ot read from selected boot disk.Check boot path and disk hardware.Please check the Windows XP (TM) documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information.Boot Failed (Windows XP due to the following computer disk Hardware configuration issues can't be started. Can't read from selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware. For additional information, check out the Windows XP (TM) documentation on hardware disk configuration, and your hardware disk configuration and Hardware reference manual. Startup failed. Solving startup problems with a boot floppy disk
On a computer running Windows XP, you can boot the operating system using the Windows XP boot disk. Use the steps in this article to resolve the following startup issues: • The boot sector is corrupted. The master boot record (MBR) is corrupted. virus infection. The Ntldr or Ntdetect.com file is missing or corrupted. The Ntbootdd.sys driver is incorrect. Start from the image that interrupted the image. Note that you may need to modify the Boot.ini file to do this. You cannot use the Windows XP Startup disk to help resolve the following issues: The device drivers installed in the System folder are incorrect or corrupted. A startup issue occurred after seeing the Windows XP Startup (Osloader) screen.