(a) That would normally be true if you were using the HDD boot arrangements, but it's NOT the same when you're using the Universal Boot Floppy [UBF].
i.e. You're not using the HDD boot arrangements [MBR & boot files on the HDD]...
You're using the floppy boot arrangements...
Including the 3 boot files, one of which is the boot.ini on the floppy.
Hence if they don't work, you don't blame the HDD boot arrangements.
(b) You need to know:
WHERE the Windows folder is located [which partition?]
And...
What is the NAME used for the Windows folder [WINDOWS?]
So you should use SOMETHING [A Puppy?]...
To browse the partition holding the Windows folder and note the name used.
(c) Then you need to check the contents of the boot.ini on the floppy and edit if necessary, so as make sure that the code is correct.
Usually just checking the name of the Windows folder is correct.
Here's the important code in my copy:
Code: Select all
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="NT, First harddisk, first partition" /sos
(d) You need to try all 8 partitions.
Did you?
2. " I finally found a site that, added to what I had tried, said to use chkdsk /r. That worked"
(a) So the problem was a corrupted partition file system, right?
That's why the UBF didn't succeed in booting Windows, right?
And WinXP [on NTFS partition file system] was now booting, right?
3. "I started virus scans one after another but didn't turn up much. Nothing that stood out."
(a) How about running a Puppy from a CD, with a pupsave on a Flash Drive, with Avast! Antivirus installed, and scan the Windows partition whilst Windows is dormant?
(b) Or go to www.pcguide.com/vb and ask for help in scanning for infection.
There are people there who are VERY EXPERT and well practised at doing this [Windows users get infected and ask there for help to disinfect very frequently].