Windows cannot start and No Bootable Devices!

Question

Hello, I am trying to fix a friends Inspiron. When I turn it on it says 'windows cannot start because the file \system\hal.dll is missing or corrupt'. If I set the CD drive to the primary Boot it says 'No Bootable Devices'. I don't even get the option to 'press any key to boot from cd'. Please help! Thanks.

Sterling_Aug · Answer

What bootable CD did you try using? Is the CDROM set to be a bootable device first on the list in the BIOS?

360 Pro · Answer

I'll probably get a 'No Bootable Devices' message again but I'll try anything at this point. Any other suggestions if that doesn't work? Thanks.

360 Pro · Answer

I'm pretty sure the CD ROM works fine because this happened as a result of an 'erase c:' command. Just prior to that, everything was fine.

360 Pro · Answer

Thanks for the reply. I am using the windows XP cd. When I set the CD ROM to be the primary boot source I get a message saying 'No Bootable Device'.

360 Pro · Answer

I forget if it was the erase or format command, but either way, things were good before. I believe the command was executed during a Windows installation.

Sterling_Aug · Answer

There is no such thing as an erase command. There is a format command. Did you use format c: /s to make the hard drive bootable? If not, then the hard drive is not bootable. Formatting a hard drive will have nothing to do to a CDROM drive. You can not write to a factory CD.

Sterling_Aug · Answer

Without physically looking at it, I would take it to a repair shop. Maybe they can sort it out for you.

Sterling_Aug · Answer

Try downloading and burning a copy of the UBCD4WIN from ubdcd4win.com Test the hard drive and the format the C: drive again.

360 Pro · Answer

Where can I enter a command? I can't get anywhere past the 'corrupted file' screen.

Sterling_Aug · Answer

Have you tried another bootable CD. The CDROM drive may be bad.

360 Pro · Answer

I realize that part about the format not having anything to do with the CD ROM. That's why I don't understand the 'no bootable devices' message. Also, I can't seem to find anyway to get a command prompt.

Storage, Drives & Media

Windows cannot start and No Bootable Devices!

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