Article ID: 297924 - Last Review: August 6, 2002 - Revision: 1.2

"Setup Unable to Gain Access to Your Existing Boot Configuration File" Error Message During Upgrade

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SYMPTOMS

When you are upgrading a computer to Windows XP from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or Microsoft Windows 2000, you may receive the following error message:
Setup was unable to gain access to your existing boot configuration file, filename. You cannot upgrade Windows or restart your computer in the future without this file.

Please restart your computer and select the Recovery Console option. Then select the option to repair/recover your boot and configuration files. After restoring these files, you can restart Setup to upgrade Windows.
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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Boot.ini file is missing or corrupted.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, follow the instructions in the error message to start the computer and run the recovery procedures.
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MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about Recovery Console, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
229716  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/229716/EN-US/ ) Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery Console
216417  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216417/EN-US/ ) How to Install the Windows 2000 Recovery Console
291980  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291980/EN-US/ ) A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
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Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup KB297924
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