Yrag - IPlural or any other Gurus

from WinCustomize Forums
I’ve been using Boot Skins for a short period of time without any problems. I have noticed recently during the boot up sequence of the computer (just prior to the boot screen showing) a message at the top of the black screen: -
“INVALID BOOT.INI FILE
BOOTING FROM C:\WINDOWS”

I contacted Stardock who advised me that boot skins has nothing to do with the boot.ini file

I have attempted to edit the boot.ini file through the “System Startup”- “edit” - and get the message: -
“Cannot locate the c:\ boot.ini file, do you want to create a new file.”

Stardock did ask me if I had used any other programs to alter boot skins (I have not).

I have uninstalled Boot Skins – rebooted- Message still present. Reinstalled - -rebooted – Message still there. I would like to get my computer back to square one. Can anyone assist?


18,242 views 48 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Start/Run type 'msconfig', click ok. Under the Boot.ini file what does it show?


...just copy and paste here



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[Message Edited]
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yrag - absolutely nothing?
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top


...sorry Brian, what OS you using?



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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Windows XP Home Edition
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yrag I meant that in the boot.ini area nothing was showing
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Should have something like....

[boot loader]

timeout=3

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK open msconfig again and under the General tab..check all plus 'Use Original Boot.ini' and re-boot. You'll get a prompt that your boot has changed...click 'Do not show me this again'

This is what should show under Boot.ini:

[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="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect



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Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hehe....beatcha...
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...yeah ya did..



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Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Gary, its got a white dot in the square and will not allow me to check the box
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm sorry...you need to check 'Selective Startup' ....now try it..

...don't forget to check all




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[Message Edited]
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok - Done all that. when the Puter reboots I go back into the general area and "Normal startup" is checked again. No change. I cannot put a square in the box (if thats of any significance) and the "apply button" does not respond. I did get the message to restart the computer for the changes to take effect.but nothing has changed. I am still and not as yet
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Gary an X in the square I meant to say
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
mm, you can do it from the dos prompt with edit

lol


ok okm I know I am late.... dunno, just had to say something
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
..and the Boot.ini is still blank?



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Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
at dos prompt in root C:\

attrib -r -a -s -h boot.ini

then

edit boot.ini

add the text both jafo and yrag posted

save and close

reboot...
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes Gary. John I understood every thing after "then"

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hummmm...the msconfig should have done that....I wonder if it's defaulting to the last good config...



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Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
sorry

click start:run: enter "cmd"

when the dox window opens type "cd \"

this puts you in the root directory

then type

attrib -r -a -s -h boot.ini

( makes sure it is not protected in any way...

then type

edit boot.ini

add the text that jafo/yrag posted...

save the file and exit Edit

reboot and it should now find and use the boot.ini
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If it doesn't then we'll make an .ini file and use the expand option in Msconfig and browse to the new file and apply.......



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Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
if the attributes can not be changed at the prompt then something is resident which is locking the system out from changing it...

msconfig should allow you to edit and save without a doubt...

something could be protecting it, something good or something bad....

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If I havn't got a boot.ini file does the message I get during bootup "Invalid boot.ini file - Booting from C:\Windows\ " have any significance?
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

They ini's that both yrag and I posted are 'typical' ones.

Be sure your Windows is on the default C drive primary partition....as that is where they are in these.

Also 'WINDOWS' is the default directory....that too 'may' be different...

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Gary John before I start on my merry way I still have the program Boot Skins loaded, should I uninstall ?
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yeah...sounds like something doesn't want to let go...try what John said or we can just write a new .ini



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