UNSOLVED
hal.dll missing or corrupted
Running XP Media Center Edition 2005 on a XPS 400 - Windows won't load -
file is missing or corrupt...
\system32\hal.dll
System didn't come with a backup CD so I borrowed a friend's XP Pro (SP2) disk to run recovery console - I select recovery but only get a c prompt (c:\>) and not the "1 c:\windows" that is referenced in M$ and everyone else's guide to fixing this problem. won't take any of the bootcfg commands. When I do a "map" command it only locates the floppy and two CD drives.
I've got two 160 GB Seagate SATA hard drives - both Delldiag and Seagate Seatools identify both hard drives and they pass diagnostic tests. So it seems the hard drives are o.k. but they aren't talking to anyone!
I would really like to salvage any or all of my data - what's the best way? Should I buy a USB drive enclosure and try to hook up to another computer and transfer files?
289
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Posted December 29th, 2007 23:00
Thanks Ron,No, I don't have the same version (mine is XP media center 2005 and the disk I could borrow is XP Pro, so maybe this is my problem). I have ordered disks from Dell for my system... I found that link for the disks on one of my numerous searches (and the dell tech support folks neglected to offer this option...).I have tried the "C:\>Attrib".... command but the command is not recognized - as I said I get a c prompt but not the "1: C:windows" prompt that is referenced in the hal.dll "fixes".289
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Posted December 30th, 2007 20:00
You just need to change to C:\windows directory (the number is not part of the prompt; probably just that item's number in whatever list you're reading ;) ).
At c:\ prompt, type in:
cd c:\windows
Press Enter
Not sure why you want to change to c:\windows directory. Boot.ini is in C:\ (root directory) of the hard drive. Commands in first line of my previous post are to unhide (-h), remove read-only (-r), and remove system attribute (-s) so you can delete it and create a new version.
What makes you think the commands aren't recognized? Are you putting one space in front of every minus sign (-), and one after the -S in the attrib command?
Media Center is based on XP pro, but be careful using a CD with a different version of Windows because you could mees up royally.
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 12-30-2007 02:22 PM
289
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Posted January 4th, 2008 10:00
Ron, thanks for trying to help, I was unable to change directory, there was essentially nothing on my "C" drive, or I was unable to access anything. Think my problem was not having the right XP disk (and thanks so much to Dell for not including a disk with the system!). Anyway, I tried the Linux Knoppix route - easily downloaded and created a bootable disk - but could only see gibberish on the one drive and couldn't mount the other drive. Took the computer to a local computer store - they were able to boot by using the right XP media edition disk and running chkdsk - salvaged my files onto an external drive for me. Will be replacing the two failed hard drives with the stupid RAID (0) set-up with one new drive. Lessons learned: 1. BACKUP (obvious), and 2. RAID (1) = good, RAID (0) = not so good, doubles your chances of data loss due to hard drive failure!!! (thanks again DELL!) 3. Buy locally 4. The owner of my local computer store is a big Ron Paul advocate and told me Michael Dell is one of the biggest supporters of resident lil' bush, so maybe the whole hal.dll problem is a conspiracy... (just kidding).289
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Posted January 8th, 2008 02:00
Ron,I am getting the same error but I was able to boot from the Dell OEM disk but it won't accept my administrator password after I choose "R" to repair. What's the default administrator password on the OEM?Thanks,Helen291
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Posted January 8th, 2008 03:00
There is password jumper on the system board.289
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Posted January 8th, 2008 03:00
It's Dell dimension 8400 with XP pro v5.1 sp2.289
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Posted January 8th, 2008 03:00
Ron,I tried but it returns with "invalid password".Is there any fix can be done in the safe mode?Thanks,Helen289
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Posted January 8th, 2008 03:00
What model PC is this? (Always include that in your posts!).
Some PCs have a jumper on the motherboard that can be removed to clear the password. Check your user manual. You can find the manual starting here:
http://snipurl.com/1wuvh
Ron
289
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Posted January 8th, 2008 03:00
Just press Enter when it asks for Admin password. ;)
Ron
RoHe
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289
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Posted December 29th, 2007 22:00
Try this:
Boot from the XP CD and follow directions to start Recovery Console. Then type in, and press Enter after each line:
Attrib -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
DEL C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild
Fixboot
When that's done, remove XP CD and see if it boots.
If your system didn't come with an XP CD, start here to get it:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1
Ron