Error Messages During Boot Sequence on Intel x86 Machines

 Last reviewed: March 24, 1997
Article ID: Q100312
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

The following error messages may be displayed during the boot process of Windows NT on an Intel x86 machine. Error messages are listed with possible causes and resolutions.

Error Messages During Boot Sequence

   BOOT: Couldn't find NTLDR
   Please insert another disk.
The NTLDR program has been deleted from the boot drive or is not located in the root directory. 

   Error Opening NTDETECT
   Press any key to continue
The NTDETECT program has been deleted from the boot drive or is not located in the root directory.

-or-

The time-out option for the Boot Loader in the BOOT.INI file may be set to 0.

-or-

The path of the default operating system in the Boot Loader section of the BOOT.INI file is different than any of the paths listed in the [operating systems] section. 

   OS Loader V2.10
   The system did not load because of a computer disk hardware
   configuration problem.
   Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path
   and disk hardware.
   Please check the Windows NT documentation about hardware disk
   configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional
   information. Boot failed.
The device or partition component of a path is incorrect in the [operating systems] section of the BOOT.INI file. 

   OS Loader V2.10
   loading file
   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnx\system\ntoskrnl.exe
   The system did not load because it cannot find the following file:
   <sysroot>\SYSTEM32\NTOSKRNL.EXE
   Please reinstall a copy of the above file.
   Boot failed.
The directory component of the path is incorrect in the [operating systems] section of the BOOT.INI file.

-or-

Ensure that both NTLDR and BOOT.INI are in the system root directory on the bootable logical drive. 

   Couldn't open boot sector file
   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\bootsect.dos
The BOOTSECT.DOS file is lost or damaged. The only way to restore this file is from a backup. This file contains information about the physical heads, tracks, and cylinders and partition table information; it is unique to each machine.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbother ntboot
Version : 3.1 3.5 3.51 4.0
Platform : WinNT

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Last reviewed: March 24, 1997
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