Hard Drive not recognized.

Question

Jeez, I hope someone can help me -  first of all   I was happily typing away this afternoon - when suddenly my Dell Dimension 8400 gave me 30 seconds and shut down.   The message said Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \system 32\hal.dll'. Please re-install a copy of the above file.   Next I find my XP disc and insert it in the drive and start up in safe mode. I eventually figured out that I had to change the order of the drives to get my CD drive to load first. Everything okay.   I restart and XP starts loading. It asks if I want to repair, I hit 'R' and THEN it says I don't have a hard drive or it can't locate it. What do I do now?

osprey4 · Answer

Search this forum. You'll find alternatives that will work without a floppy. Good luck!

osprey4 · Answer

You'll need these instructions: http://www.djdenham.com/8400%20Special.htm

BAINBRIDGE · Answer

Thank you SO much for your prompt response.   I guess I need to invest in an external floppy drive unless you can see a way around it.   I'm really a novice at this stuff -

BAINBRIDGE · Answer

Okay... progress.   Here's where I'm stuck now...   Windows is clicking through the set up process, then I have the option to pick Set up XP, repair xp or quit. I type 'R' for repair.   The screen says: Microsoft Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console. The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality. Type EXIT to quit the Recover Console and restart the computer. C:\>   Whatever that means. When I restart I've accomplished nothing. What should I do now?   By the way, I never made the floppy disc nor any disc because I can't find the Drivers and Utilities disc for my computer... is this my problem?   Instead I went with the second option: Went to SATA Operation and changed to RAID Autodetect/ATA.

osprey4 · Answer

Since you've overcome the missing hard drive issue, it seems you're all set as far as the hard drive is concerned. So as not to reinvent the wheel, let me suggest you simply search Google or another search engine for detailed instructions on running the recovery console.

BAINBRIDGE · Answer

okay I've done some reading like you advised but I'm still confused.   I'm still at the same screen as above and all the instructions I've read state:   'Choose the installation that you need to access from the recovery console'   I don't know what this means or what I need to choose or type. Also somewhere along this point I gather I'm going to be asked for the admin password and I haven't gotten to that point yet.   Thanks for the hand holding.

shesagordie · Answer

@BAINBRIDGE wrote:

I also just performed chkdsk /p and it stopped after 36% and says:

"the volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems"

Then it would appear that you have a failed hard drive and the drive needs to be replaced.

Bev.

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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

BAINBRIDGE · Answer

I also just performed chkdsk /p  and it stopped after 36% and says:   'the volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems'

Storage, Drives & Media

Hard Drive not recognized.

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