Err Msg: Windows NT Could Not Start...

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This article was previously published under Q162330

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SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows NT, the following error message may be displayed:

Windows NT could not start because of a computer hardware configuration problem.

Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware.

Please check the Windows NT(TM) documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information.

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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if any part of the arcpath statement in the Boot.ini file uses all uppercase charcters. For example:

   MULTI(0)DISK(0)RDISK(0)PARTITION(1)\NT40="Windows NT Workstation
   Version 4.00"

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RESOLUTION

Change the arcpath statement to use lowercase letters. For example:

   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\NT40="Windows NT Workstation
   Version 4.00"

If the computer uses the FAT file system, boot from a bootable MS-DOS floppy disk and perform the following steps:

Type the following line:

attrib -s -h -r c:\boot.ini
Use any text editor to edit the Boot.ini file. Make the appropriate changes to the arcpath statement.
Save and then close the Boot.ini file.
Type the following line:

attrib +s +h +r c:\boot.ini

If the type of file system is NTFS, you can use the Emergency Repair procedure to fix this, choosing only the options to Inspect startup environment and Inspect Boot Sector (unchecking the other two options).

To start the Emergency Repair procedure, insert your Windows NT setup floppy disk #1 into your floppy drive and reboot your machine. Follow the instructions on the screen, and press "R" for Repair when prompted.

Note that you do not need to have recently updated your Emergency Repair information when choosing only the options to Inspect startup environment and Inspect Boot Sector.

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