Installed the latest EVE Online update earlier today? Don’t reboot your computer! The update apparently has a “bug” which results in the deletion of your BOOT.INI startup file on XP systems. No big deal, aside from the fact Windows won’t boot with this file missing.

CCP has removed the update as of 4 A.M. GMT today. However, if you are running XP and have downloaded and installed the update before said time, then your BOOT.INI is most likely long gone.

As for steps to remedy this problem, first check to make sure the BOOT.INI file exists:

If you are only using the Classic client or installed the Premium client using the full Premium installer than you are not affected.

If you upgraded from the Classic client to the Premium client, using the content upgrade, then please read on.

Check the root directory of your hard drive and see if you have a boot.ini file, if so then you are not affected. The file is normally hidden so you need to click Tools : Folder Options : View and select “Show hidden files and folders” and uncheck “Hide protected operating system files” to be able to see it.

You can also check for the presence of this file by clicking Start : Control Panel : System : Advanced : Startup and Recovery : Settings (third button down). Windows will alert you if the boot.ini file is missing.

If the file is missing and you’re running XP Professional, then create and open the file C:\boot.ini and paste the following:

[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

Or, if you’re running XP Home:

[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 Home” /fastdetect

That should get everything back to normal, and it’ll be safe to reboot again. Very surprised to see a bug of this magnitude found in production code. Good thing the update doesn’t force a reboot on you, eh?

Boot.ini discussion thread [EVE Online]

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