NTLDR:FATAL ERROR 57344 READING BOOT.INI

I honestly do not think you are going to get anywhere with check disk now. I base this on content in your previous post. Specifically, \Boot.ini first allocation unit is not valid.

At this point you can stop the check disk which may cause additional file damage or you can let it complete and boot from the Recovery Console disc.****I would recommend you wait and see how long check disk will take. If it doesn't complete within a couple hours I would cancel it, reboot the computer, when the message to run check disk appeared I would choose to cancel it. Windows will attempt to continue loading. You may get lucky and it will boot. If not, we can try to rebuld/replace the boot.ini using Recovery Console.

Finally, I will emphasize your need to get your personal data off the computer as soon as possible. Running check disk can and often does result in the loss of data or a disk full of chk files which can be a pain to recover. In fact, getting the data should be priority over proceeding with the repair. You can continue the repair after you have your files backed up. ****

I'm learning as I go along and everyone has been very helpful and appreciate that.

Experience is the best teacher. Good job!

[this post was last edited 0530 GMT, Nov. 25, 2012]

On p. 2 of this thread, Tech-Geek made an excellent point:

> It is unclear from your post whether you booted from the disc or allowed check disk to run as a result of receiving a prompt when trying to load Windows.

I would imagine you did NOT successfully boot off your CD!

Whether you want to run Recovery Console or perform a Clean Install of Windows XP, this is a skill you MUST learn!!!!!

[ Instructions for accessing the Dell's F12 menu have been removed! ]

You need to tell us the make, model, and model number of your PC so we can better assist you with this!

So, please do the following:

Start | Run

Type:

msinfo32

Click OK.

Then when you see the System Information window, click anywhere on the right-hand side. Then press Ctrl+A (selects all). Then Ctrl+C (copies what you just selected to the clipboard). Then when you make your next post to this forum, as you are typing, Ctrl+V (pastes what you copied to the clipboard into your post here). It will look something like this:

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600

OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation

System Name [ Y O U    CAN     DELETE    THIS    INFO    IF     YOU     WISH!]

System Manufacturer .   <--- this is important to know!

System Model .   <--- this is important to know!

System Type X86-based PC

Processor x86 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 6 GenuineIntel ~3064 Mhz

BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 1/10/2008

SMBIOS Version 2.5

Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS

System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32

Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1

Locale United States

Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"

User Name [ Y O U    CAN     DELETE    THIS    INFO    IF     YOU     WISH!]

Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time

Total Physical Memory 2,048.00 MB

Available Physical Memory 1.32 GB

Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB

Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB

Page File Space 3.85 GB

Page File C:\pagefile.sys

Again, once we know what you have, we can better assist you with booting off the CD (it will likely involve entering the BIOS and altering your boot order setting). Once this is done, you should see a screen that looks like this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zY4M6laSy6k/UFtKTeodwiI/AAAAAAAAABM/DcIMMPgp8rw/s400/xp.jpg

Make sure you press any of your keys! If it doesn't work, that means there is an issue with your keyboard (or BIOS setting for your keyboard).

Is your keyboard wireless or wired? If wired, is it USB or PS/2?

As long as you can boot off your CD, you WILL be able to run Recovery Console, which can be VERY useful. And I'll bet running chkdksk /r FROM YOUR CD'S RECOVERY CONSOLE will be much quicker!!!

I would like to add that Elizabeth23 and Tech-Geek are quite good. Follow their advice, too! :-)

First attempt to boot directly from the CD did not go well, because I put the CD

in the tray after instead of before the boot and when I took the CD out of the

Tray, shut the computer off and rebooted without the CD, the computer started

the CheckDisk directly from the computer and not the CD.  I'm learning as I go

along and everyone has been very helpful and appreciate that.

If you state your make, model, and model number of the pc, I can look for a manual to get instructions on a reinstall.

Did it come with discs when you purchased?

It seems to be going from worse to worse.  Make, Model and model number.

Not doing my due diligence when I purchased this computer online from

a informercial with alot of hype.  I am now just finding out with a google

search that this computer is a clone.  They are built and assembled in

China, Taiwan.

The make is:  V2Premier

Model & Model number is not on the back of the Tower, might be on the

bottom base, but don't want to take a chance to move the Tower while

CheckDisk is still processing.

Yes, it came with a package of Discs for all kinds of programs.  Also have

some Windows XP Software.  In fact I have two that are Version 2002.

It's been a few years, so if I rememer correctly, one was for a computer

I bought that had Windows ME preinstalled and the company would send

me the Windows XP Home Edition to upgrade and the second CD was

for the computer I'm now having a problem with.  Also notice on the CD's

that one specifically has printed on the CD upgrade where the other one

doesn't have it, just instructions to run.  I have the manual for one of the

CD's and on the front end flap of the cover is printed:  For Distribution Only

With A New PC.  Not sure if I can still use these CD's for a reinstall.

XP Home Edition will not boot anymore.  I get the XPWindows Logo when I boot

then shuts down to a blank screen with the following Error posted at the top of

the blank screen. 

 

Error:

 

NTLDR: FATAL ERROR 57344 READING BOOT.INI

 

Question:  What is this error and how do I correct it so I can get my XP Windows back.

XPWindows Home Edition

Update 11-25-12:

Would like to thank everyone for their kind responses with this XP Windows

issue that I'm dealing with.  I will get back to everyone who has asked a

question.  It was suggested that I continue with CheckDisk and not cancel

which I've done.  Check Disk completed what it was checking.  Currently

this is what I see on the screen which just started:  Note:  it went back to

checking the file system on C:

Checking File System On C:

The type of file system is FAT32

One of your disks needs to be checked

for consistency.  You may cancel the Disk Check,

but it is strongly recommended that you continue.

Windows will now check the Disk.

Volume Serial Number is 0366-1ED8

Windows is verifying files and folders

\Boot.ini first allocation unit is not valid.

The entry will be truncated.

\Found.002 first allocation is not valid.

The entry will be truncated.

Truncate means to cut off a part of

Question:  What is being cut.

Again, will get back to everyone with a question(s)

What a journey this has been.  When will is stop.

CHOW