missing boot.ini file and trouble with windows

Question

Last week I my computer would not load up windows, it said it was missing a boot.ini file. I then used my windows xp reinstallation cd to try to fix this but was unsucessful. I do not know why microsoft made it so difficult to restore windows but its very complicated. The only thing I could do was install a new windows, on a seperate part of the hard drive. However this was pointless. Now when i boot up i have none of the software that came with the computer, all i have on my desktop is recycling bin. I need to know how to delete the windows i installed and get back my old windows. If this this is possible. Iv called about 3 numbers for dell and none of them ever help me. I chatted with dell andthat didnt help eirther. I also sent emails to dell and they all refer me to a different number or say another problem. I think i just need the dell pc restore discs but none came with my computer, just the windows xp one. Can someone help me? Any help would be appreciated.

NVRambo · Answer

What is your system name and model number? Roughly when did you purchase the PC?

Tattoo62 · Answer

I have a similar problem, but my boot.ini file is working as a dual boot system. I went to format my second drive with the winXP cd and ended up installing it also on my second drive. Now I can't access the Dell restore partition to reinstall my os. I have a dimension 3000 and would like to know is there a way to get the www.dell.com screen back. All the partitions are still in place buit I can't access it.. Can anyone help? Thanks. The boot.ini file is in the root of the c: drive..

Tattoo62 · Answer

I have a similar problem, but my boot.ini file is working as a dual boot system. I went to format my second drive with the winXP cd and ended up installing it also on my second drive. Now I can't access the Dell restore partition to reinstall my os. I have a dimension 3000 and would like to know is there a way to get the www.dell.com screen back. All the partitions are still in place buit I can't access it.. Can anyone help? Thanks. The boot.ini file is in the root of the c: drive..         John

scottatah · Answer

If your computer is new enough and you haven't changed the boot sector, you could try the CTRL+F11 to do an image restore. Otherwise if you have the OS cd, the only other disc you'll need is the drivers cd. You can either call dell to have one sent to you if you dont have it, or download the drivers from the internet http://support.dell.com and burn them yourself.

Going the way of installing windows, you'd have to install each piece of software seperately. There's no single cd that does everything for you. You'd have to install windows, then the drivers/system software , then antivirus/firewall, get internet working, download windows updates, and lastly install third party software including any other stuff that may have come with your computer.

*apart from all this, your other option would have been to quickly write a new boot.ini file (can usually find examples all over the internet including the microsoft homepage. At that point, you can copy it from cd or floppy disk to your harddrive. As well, i think running fixboot C: from the recovery console (on the win xp cd) would likely have solved the issue. *

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