[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
If you have xp home on the broken computer then we need to change XP Professional to XP Home
copy the file to the floppy Change to the floppy drive and at the prompt - Make sure you are at the floppy drive
(I assume A:) otherwise you will change the boot file for the laptop.
A:>edit boot.ini enter
This should open an editing screen. go and make the changes so it looks like the one in this post.
When you have finished press the keys alt and F (for file) then press alt and X press enter and it should ask you if you want to save changes say yes. This we hope will boot your computer.
Change the laptop back to c: and check the boot.ini file to make sure you did not change it. If you know for sure you were at the A: prompt then all should be fine.