RadarSync Ensures you have the latest drivers and software updates to make your PC to run better and safer.
Driver Genius Improve system stability by getting new drivers! Also makes it easy to backup, restore, and remove drivers.
System Commander Safely and securely run multiple operating systems on one PC!
Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware
Description
Typically the BOOT.INI file (XP) or the BCD (Vista) is corrupted or missing critical data that is needed to start up Windows. It may also be the boot data in these files points to a boot partition where Windows is not installed and/or is damaged. Lastly, this issue can occur if the Ntoskrnl.exe file is missing or damaged.
Sample Screen
Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem. Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware.
Please check the Windows documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information.
Key Facts
Full Title
Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem. Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware.
Please check the Windows documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information.
Windows Vista/2008 offer a semi-automatic way to fix a range of startup and file problems.
Boot from your bootable Vista/2008 installation DVD and go into the Vista Recovery Console.
At the System Recovery Options menu, select Startup Repair.
Remove the DVD and select the Restart button.
With luck this will correct the problem.
Solution 2 of 2 - Fix Boot.ini (XP/2003)
32
If the Boot.ini file points off to the wrong partition or drive, this error can occur.
If you have Fix-It Utilities Professional or SystemSuite Professional, we suggest using it's BOOT.INI repair tool as it is much faster and deals with some special situations. Simply boot from the Rescue CD or diskette and at the menu, select BootFixer. Remove the CD and select Exit.
To fix Boot.ini using the Windows boot CD:
Boot from your bootable XP/2003 installation CD and go into the XP Recovery Console. Follow our guide and you'll end up at a command prompt.
At the prompt, type: bootcfg /rebuild
This will locate any XP installations and display them. At the prompt Add installation to boot list? enter Y and press Enter.
Next it asks for you to enter the text to use for the OS Enter Load Identifier. For example type Windows XP Professional and press Enter.
One last prompt asks you to Enter OS Load Options. Type /Fastdetect and press Enter. (View Boot.ini options at Microsoft).
Remove the boot CD and type Exit and press Enter.
If the BOOT.INI was the cause of the problem, Windows will boot normally.
Forum Help
Check out what others say about this issue and review or add your own comments and solutions!
While we believe this information up to date and accurate, FAQware is not responsible for any inaccuracies. If you find something that is out of date or inaccurate, please let us know at
so we can correct it.
