Posts by Omahabob

First, exactly what error are you getting? How do you know it can't locate the boot.ini? Was the error?:

Invalid Boot.ini

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

Windows\System32\Hal.dll

If so, there could be several reasons for that, and a missing boot.ini is only one of them.

Second, have you booted to CD and checked to see if the file exists on your C: drive (the default location)? If the file exists, have you examined the content to make sure it is correct?

Third, have you tried using the Recovery Console on the CD to restore the boot files?

I'm curious. Why do you want to change it? The boot.ini file is used simply for bootup options in 2000 and XP. I can't see how editing it is going to change the function of your system, unless you plan to make the raid drives bootable. If there is some problem with the boot.ini the way it is, then I can see editing it. But if your system is functioning fine, as you say it is, then just leave it be. If the numbers bother you that much, just don't look at them.

I can't speak for your country house, and these things are difficult to diagnose without seeing them anyway, but you may have plugged in to a digital phone line in Florida with an analog modem. If that is the case, and I'm not certain it is, you could be lucky your modem didn't get toasted. That has happened to some people.

As far as a resolution goes, if your problems started when you installed Norton, then maybe you should consider an uninstall and a different internet security product. I have to say though, I use Norton Internet Security 2006 on four home computers, and they all work perfectly. However, no two installations are exactly the same, and others have experienced similar problems with Norton.

By the way, you didn't say what operating system, e-mail client, and browser you were using.

You can use the Custom options of Windows Update to hide that particular update, which means you will no longer be notified,

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

...or you can view this KB article at Microsoft:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798