JSI Tip 4701. Windows XP could NOT start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem?

When you try to start Windows XP, you receive:

Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem. Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware. Please check the Windows documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information.

This can be caused by a missing or invalid default= entry in C:Boot.ini, or if Windows XP is not installed in the location specified in C:Boot.ini.

To resolve this issue:

1. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.

2. When Press R to repair Windows by using the Recovery Console appears, press R.

3. Select the Windows installation and enter the administrator password at the prompt.

4. Type bootcfg and press Enter.

5. When a missing Windows Installation is located, respond Y to add the installation to the boot list.

6. At Enter Load Identifier, type Windows XP Professional (or Home Edition).

7. At Enter Operating System Load Options:, press Enter.

8. Exit the Recovery Console and select the first item on the boot menu.

9. After you log on, edit C:Boot.ini to remove the improper entry.

NOTE: See tip 055 and links.

NOTE: A typical C:Boot.ini file contains:

[boot loader]timeout=7default=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

NOTE: See tip 4017 Microsoft step-by-step instructions for creating a boot disk.