Err Msg: Windows NT Could Not Start...

Last reviewed: April 25, 1997
Article ID: Q162330

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

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.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if 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"

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.

Additional query words:
Keywords : winboot
Platform : WinNT

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: April 25, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.