[tex-live] "I can't find the format file `latex.fmt'!"

[Karl Berry]

    > Although the directory itself exists, I have no file
    > in 
    > 
    >     texmf-dist/tex/latex/config/latex.ini
    > 
    > ( I used tlpm installer in batch mode )

Ah.  This seems like a problem with tlpm; maybe Staszek and the author
can help.  Meanwhile, maybe one of the other Windows installation
methods would work for you.  (Or use proTeXt, unless there's some reason
you specifically want to use the TL version.)

You can get the latex.ini file itself from
http://tug.org/texlive/devsrc/Master/texmf-dist/tex/latex/config/latex.ini,
but if that fundamental file is missing, it seems very likely that
others will be missing as well.

Regards,
Karl