Editing NTFS files

[Ming]

While booting an XP, I noticed error message with boot.ini but it boot up successfully. On examining the file I noticed there is only one line in it, timeout=0. So, I replace it with a standard boot.ini file from another computer with the same partitioning. However, I can no longer boot up the system, this time the error is corrupted hal.dll even though I do have any device connected to the system. Recovery console is not installed.

I boot up Knoppix to try and follow instructions I found to edit boot.ini back to original form. In brief, I use captive NTFS, untick read-only for the drive but I still cannot save the file after editing. Can Knoppix be used for this purpose, since Windows recovery console actually requires admin password.

Ming

[ckamin]

In brief, I use captive NTFS

NO, do NOT attempt to write to an NTFS partition with anything other than the appropriate version of Windows or appropriate WINDOWS tools or applications. To do so may cause the partition to become corrupted and it may not be recoverable. Using Captive NTFS is very risky. It is no longer supported and there are no foolproof alternatives. You should look at the information at the following links:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q289022/
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm
http://www.compphix.com/corrupthal.html
There is a detailed explanation of the error and some possible fixes located there, including one that requires you to remove the hard drive and repair it in another Windows system. The recovery console is probably the safest for you, and it can be accessed from the install cd. The procedure is outlined in the links above. If you do not have admin rights/password to this machine, why is that so?

Another alternative would be to use Windows PE, which is NOT available to normal humans, OR to use BartPE, which is something that you would have to make and configure from some files on the Net and your Windows Install Files. You can Google for more info on that if you would like. It is rather simple to make the disc, but somewhat detailed. It took me just less than an hour the first time I did it, so it should take anyone else less than 45 minutes.

[Ming]

Thanks, I thought it's too good to be true.