Registry errors are very common in Windows XP Operating Systems. These problems include NTLDR is Missing and Invalid boot.ini, among others. Before enlisting the services of a computer repair technician or seeking remote computer support, you should attempt some home computer tech support to save time and money.
1. One such command is the change to root directory command. This command takes you to the root folder – this is a necessity for registry clean-up. At the prompt, run the C:\CD.. command.
2. Another registry clean-up command is the modification of attributes of the boot.ini file. This file determines which OS to load if you have a multi-operating-system computer, it determines the OS to be displayed during startup, and it also controls the boot process. If there is a problem with this file, you may need to recreate the file. However, you should note that this is a hidden read-only file since it is a system file. You will therefore need to change the file attribute first. To do this, on the prompt, run
C:\ ATTRIB -H C:\\boot.ini, C:\ ATTRIB -S C:\\boot.ini, and C:\ ATRIB -R C:\\boot.ini.
3. Yet another registry clean-up command is the deletion of the boot.ini file. This is necessary because repairing the boot.ini file requires the rebuilding of the file and you therefore need to remove the old file. To delete the file, simply run C:\ del boot.ini.
4. To recreate the boot.ini file, use the C:\ BOOTCFG /Rebuild command. This command is a diagnostic tool and its main purpose is checking all your system files that are loaded on OS startup. Some of the tasks performed by the C:\ BOOTCFG /Rebuild command include the recompilation of the boot.ini file, the rectification of system errors, and the removal, replacing, and/or repair of corrupt system files that may be disrupting the boot process.
5. Another command for registry clean-up is checking the HDD integrity. The actual command for this is C:\ CHKDSK /R /F. The ‘/F’ parameter checks bad sectors on the HDD while the ‘/R’ parameter marks these bad sectors. This command is not always a necessary.
6. The C:\ FIXBOOT command writes a new boot sector. This command is also important in that it cleans up anything left behind during the recreation of the boot.ini file and system files. You will be prompted whether you want to rewriting the contents of the boot sector as a security measure. Simply press the ‘y’ and press ‘enter’.
7. Another common command during registry clean-up is exiting the Recovery Console and rebooting the system. To do this, use the C:\ EXIT command. When you restart the system, all the changes will take effect.
8. You can also do registry clean-up using Registry cleaning software tools. You can get these tools online. If this is the case, the commands used will depend on the particular tool you are using. These tools will help you remove registry keys. Programs installed on Windows XP leave behind registry tools, even when the applications are uninstalled. The Registry cleaning software tools remove unwanted files.
In case, you are unable to perform these steps or facing some other software related problem, you must opt for the 24x7 services provided by computer tech support offered by a remote pc support company and get these problems immediately fixed.
"Copyright 2010 Fixit99.com, Mike Scherenberg. For more information or to view this original article, please visit http://www.fixit99.com
