boot.ini

Post by **corpse** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:52 am

With system files showing, in C there is boot.ini.

Is this the critical boot.ini file that windows needs to load? I have a friend who thinks he deleted it, but isn't sure. If it is the important one, then I guess he will find out the next time he reboots.

Post by **Kills On Site** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:11 am

I know it used to be, I'm not sure now. I certainly wouldn't delete it. From what I see in my boot.ini is the location and boot procedure for Windows XP. If XP doesn't boot I would use something like GAG on a floppy, have it locate XP, boot to it and I think Windows can rebuild the boot.ini file. This is something which I don't have much experience, so I am ready to stand corrected.

Post by **Foo** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:49 am

boot.ini tells your system what partitions with what OS' are available. XP loads, checks the file, then presents that screen where you can pick from multiple OS', if in stalled.

Don't take this as gospel, but I think so long as there's only one OS installed, XP can scrape by without boot.ini.

I'm not about to test the theory, and deleting it without being sure could be a real pain in the ass to recover (would need to boot into recovery console and recreate the file).

Post by **dzjepp** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:04 pm

Move it somewhere else and if it dosen't boot put it back into c: with bartpe. Not that big of a pain in the arse.

Post by **ElDuderino** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 3:16 am

I'm pretty sure you would have trouble booting in safemode if you remove it. Also I think it's recreated when u boot up again. Pretty sure no harms done.

Post by **corpse** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:36 am

No it does work. Seems with XP only????? there is a backup boot.ini in windows someplace.

SO now when his computer starts, it says something like invalid boot.ini......booting from C\Windows..

Post by **Tormentius** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 3:59 pm

Your friend is an idiot...no system file should be deleted on a whim without first understanding what that file does and whether its needed.

Post by **Underpants?** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:15 pm

Like Foo said, XP's bootloader (whatever windows calls it) is intelligent enough to call a default path if it's missing. Your friend should probably turn off the "show system files" folder option.

Post by **zolborg** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:31 pm

No kiddng. I had a client go through add/remove programs once and delete all the Windows hotfixes. This was with 2K pro. What a mess.