NTLDR:FATAL ERROR 57344 READING BOOT.INI

you should put the cd in the tray and reboot.

you may have to run checkdisk two or three times until no errors are found.

 

I have to do some searching as to why it is saying system is Fat32, it should be ntfs.

a few hours with zero percent complete is not correct.

let me check something first will be right back.

 

EDIT:  these are the steps you should take

1. go into the BIOS and change the boot sequence to cd drive first, hdd second.
2. save changes and exit
3. place cd in tray
4. reboot
5. you should see a black screen with "press any key to boot from cd"
6. windows set up screen will show
7. when asked if you want to setup windows or repair, do not press enter, press R, this will bring up the recovery console.
8. when asked which windows you want to use, type a 1, as there will most likely be only one choice, then press enter.
9. if it asked for password just hit enter
10. then type in   chkdsk c: /r

 

 

Edit 2:

after all of this you should convert your system to NTFS:

http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-convert-fat32-to-ntfs.html

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881

 

 

Edit 3:

please unmark the question as answered until issue is resolved.

Just keeping in touch:

Drives are either FAT32  or ntfs and this computer was setup with

FAT32 and had no problems for 9 years.  With the help of Tech-Geek

was able to burn the IMGBurn file to a CD to backup and save

data.  I have no external drive to transfer all this data on the computer

right now.  Option that I'm considering is signing up to Carbonite the

online service that automatically backs up all your computers for a

fee, but have to research further, because Windows XP HomeEdition

is still not booting as per a earlier posting early this morning, so that

might be problem right now.  Would have been easier to reinstall Windows

if everything on the computer was backed up.  That's okay, learning as

I go along and with the help of the helpful community onboard here,

everything will be fixed and I'll be able to move on.  Fortunately I had

more then one computer otherwise I'll be up the creek.  Thanks for your

help and look forward to better news.

Suggestions/Feedback would be appreciated.

My suggestion is an echoing of Tech-Geek's suggestion to back up your data ASAP!

In order to cancel check disk you would have to press the power button and hold it until the computer shut down. This type of hard shut down is never the desired way to proceed, but is sometimes necessary.

Personally, I wouldn't give much credence to those reviews. I refurbish and sell computers all the time. Many times I will receive a call from a potential buyer wanting to know if I have a particular brand computer. I do my best to explain to them that manufacturers such as Dell, Hp, Acer and so on actually do not make the components. That when you open the case the processor, motherboard and other internal parts either say Intel, AMD or one of a few others. The manufacturer may stamp their name/logo on certain parts, but they do not manufacture those parts. The mentioned companies simply assemble the computers then distribute them through sales. This is affirmatively demonstrated by the specs you list. You have an Intel.

You have done a fantastic job both with the computer and with your communication with us. Let's try to get things resolved and do so in the proper order.

Let's first get your data. That is priority in any situation such as this. As previously stated, I recommend you do so using Ubuntu following the instructions HERE. Note there are newer versions of Ubuntu available. However, the instructions are tailored to the version linked to within the same. I, therefore, encourage you to use that version. The goal is to get your data as opposed to having the latest edition of whatever.

Thanks, very helpful.  Will be in touch with the outcome.

Canceled Check Disk as per instructions.

Did a reboot just to see what would happen.

First there was a black screen and the computer was checking something,

the XP Windows Home Edition Logo comes on the screen after about 15 -

20 seconds stops trying to boot and goes back to the black screen and

at the top of the black screen is the following txt.

Invalid Boot.ini file

Booting From C: Windows

When the reboot fails, I then get the blue screen

to check the File System on C:

The type of file system is FAT32

Press Any Key To Stop Check Disk, so I pressed

any key to stop Check Disk.

Question:  I'm able to get into Setup.  Is there anything

I can check from the following links in Setup.

Here are the links in Setup:

Standard CMOS Features

Advanced BIOS Features

Integrated Peripherals

Power Management Setup

PNP/PCI Confirgurations

PC Health Status

Frequency/Voltage Control

Load Fail-Safe Defaults

Set Password

Save & Exit Setup

Exit Without Saving

Note:  When I finally cancelled Check Disk, last entry on the

full screen of other entries that Check Disk had completed was:

Cross Link Resolved By Copying

\Program Files\MicroSoft Money\Media\AvHelp\wsuo_16.wav is

cross-linked on allocation unit 122581

(this is one of many programs loaded on this computer that Check

Disk is checking.  At one time it was even checking the printers

that are connected to this computer.

That's the current update.  Suggestions/Feedback would be appreciated.

In order to cancel check disk you would have to press the power button and hold it until the computer shut down. This type of hard shut down is never the desired way to proceed, but is sometimes necessary.

Personally, I wouldn't give much credence to those reviews. I refurbish and sell computers all the time. Many times I will receive a call from a potential buyer wanting to know if I have a particular brand computer. I do my best to explain to them that manufacturers such as Dell, Hp, Acer and so on actually do not make the components. That when you open the case the processor, motherboard and other internal parts either say Intel, AMD or one of a few others. The manufacturer may stamp their name/logo on certain parts, but they do not manufacture those parts. The mentioned companies simply assemble the computers then distribute them through sales. This is affirmatively demonstrated by the specs you list. You have an Intel.

You have done a fantastic job both with the computer and with your communication with us. Let's try to get things resolved and do so in the proper order.

Let's first get your data. That is priority in any situation such as this. As previously stated, I recommend you do so using Ubuntu following the instructions HERE. Note there are newer versions of Ubuntu available. However, the instructions are tailored to the version linked to within the same. I, therefore, encourage you to use that version. The goal is to get your data as opposed to having the latest edition of whatever.

Thanks, very helpful.  Will be in touch with the outcome.

In order to cancel check disk you would have to press the power button and hold it until the computer shut down. This type of hard shut down is never the desired way to proceed, but is sometimes necessary.

Personally, I wouldn't give much credence to those reviews. I refurbish and sell computers all the time. Many times I will receive a call from a potential buyer wanting to know if I have a particular brand computer. I do my best to explain to them that manufacturers such as Dell, Hp, Acer and so on actually do not make the components. That when you open the case the processor, motherboard and other internal parts either say Intel, AMD or one of a few others. The manufacturer may stamp their name/logo on certain parts, but they do not manufacture those parts. The mentioned companies simply assemble the computers then distribute them through sales. This is affirmatively demonstrated by the specs you list. You have an Intel.

You have done a fantastic job both with the computer and with your communication with us. Let's try to get things resolved and do so in the proper order.

Let's first get your data. That is priority in any situation such as this. As previously stated, I recommend you do so using Ubuntu following the instructions HERE. Note there are newer versions of Ubuntu available. However, the instructions are tailored to the version linked to within the same. I, therefore, encourage you to use that version. The goal is to get your data as opposed to having the latest edition of whatever.