Q:   I am getting a message on black screen when starting computer: Invalid boot.ini - booting from C:\windows then it starts up normally. Also, when I open System Properties - Advanced - Startup/recovery - settings - I get the error "The C:\boot.ini file cannot be opened, operating system and timeout settings cannot be changed" OK -  then under EDIT I get "cannot find C:\boot.ini file, Do you want to create a new file?" yes/no/cancel

A:  You may use the Bootcfg command to rebuild the Boot.ini file.

Use the bootcfg /rebuild command in the Recovery Console. (Ref : http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307061)

Microsoft Windows XP - Bootcfg:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/bootcons_bootcfg.mspx