I wonder if there is a way to back up the data on my hard drive. I am also trying to find the link to orders the disks from Dell.

Does that mean I will lose everything on my hard drive? I guess I need to contact Dell for the CD's as I got none when I ordered the system.

I am also trying to find the link to orders the disks from Dell.

Hi David45, If you live in the US you can use this online form HERE, if you live outside the US, then you will have to give your local dell support a ring.

Thank you very much. I have requested the disks. Do you think I will be able to do a repair option? I am hoping I do not lose what is on my hard drive (photos, music etc.).

Hi David45, If you have to use the disc to reinstall your OP, then you will lose everything. However, when you get the disc, try and do a repair option by booting into the reinstall disc, then when the option comes up, select to repair. If that works, then you will save all your photos etc. But you should do regular backup's of your private data in the event of a crash.

I now have the disc to do a repair. It is asking for a admin password, that I do not know. Any ideas how to get around this? Thanks in advance.

I am also haveing the same problem with a Missing or Corrupt \system32\hal.dll file on a dell machine.

I start up the computer enter the bios change the boot sequence to boot from CD-ROM then restart so it boots from the OS disc.

on the first screen i get three options

1. install the OS

 2. repair the OS

 3. exit

selecting the repair option gets me no ware as it asks what windows (something or other) i would like to log on too??

so i selected the install option hopeing there was an reapir option on the install screen where the three partitions are displayd (one of witch is a hidden one) but there is not.......only three more options

1. install OS on the selected partition

 2.delete partition

 3. exit.

is there anyone out there that no's if there is a repair option after you select the install option??? and if so what partition do i do this on??? or can i go a head an delete the two partitions ( but leaveing the hidden one) and make a new partition and then reinstall???

cheers verey much for any help the now

and please dont just post a link for some tech site and think this will help....

I am just haveing a admin passward issue. I now have the disc to do a repair. It is asking for a admin password, that I do not know. Any ideas how to get around this? Thanks in advance.

David45

When asked for password try just leaving it blank & pressing the Return key

If you intend to use the above link Dell Support procedure & it doesn’t fix the problem & you want to recover personal data, reply before thinking about doing a Windows clean install

It does work for some (not many) & there are “other” solutions

I am still missing the boat somewhere. So when I select R (Repair) is asks me "Which Windows would I like to log onto or My only option is to select 1: C\Windows.

I select 1: and then it asks me for the Admin Password. Since I do not know what is I hit enter. When I do that. takes me to a C:\windows prompt.

I need some step by step help. Thanks!

You don’t mention desktop model or Windows OS, so I assume its XP?

Quote “So when I select R (Repair)”, do you mean R for Recovery Console?

Quote “I need some step by step help”

The above Dell Support link, again click here (Robin’s first reply) is a step-by-step procedure

At the Welcome To Setup screen you should see 3 (press key) options

Enter    (Repair Install)

R          (Recovery Console)

F3        (Quit)

The Dell Support step-by-step procedure refers to launching Recovery Console (by pressing letter R), then using DOS type commands after the prompt to repair your Windows system

This is completely different from the Repair Install option obtained by pressing the Enter key

Repair Install will only work if the Repair option (again by pressing letter R) actually appears after selecting the XP installation you want to repair (normally just one) from the list

If the Repair option doesn’t appear then you need to quit, otherwise you will end up wiping the hard drive

The Dell Support step-by-step procedure refers to using the bootcfg /rebuild command

As already mentioned this method does work for some, but:

If it doesn’t fix the hal.dll problem then you will end up with a second copy of Windows being installed (very annoying) that will need to be removed at some later stage

Reply if still unsure

So you are using option R (Recovery Console) to repair Windows XP

Now just follow the 12 steps described in above-mentioned Dell Support step-by-step procedure

Step 6 (the one you were at where the directory prompt is) C:\windows>

As it says, now just type in the command cd \ then press Return key

This will change directory (cd) to the root directory prompt giving you C:\>

Step 7 Now at the root directory C:\> prompt, type in the command bootcfg /rebuild then press Return key

And so on, as described in Dell Support step-by-step procedure

Reply whether successful or not, or require further help

It is a Dell Desktop that is ~4 years old and running Windos Xp  Media Center Version. When I turn on my system I have to hit f12 to so I can boot the cd. Once the Welcome to set up screen comes up I have 3 options. Dell Sent me the Re-installation CD (which I am trying to use, cd for re-installing dell tools  systems software, Roxio, reinstalling Cyberlink power DVD cd.

Here is what I see:

* To set up Windows XP now hit enter.

* To Repair a Windows XP installation using  recovery console press R.

* to quit set up without installing Windows XP press F3. 

David45,

Usually you will try this first.

How Do I Fix the "hal.dll is missing or corrupt" Error Message?

If you need to repair the operating system then try this.

Insert the operating system disk and restart your computer.

Press any key to boot from CD.

Choose install.

Do the agreement.

Now choose repair. Leave the disk in until you see the Welcome Screen. Takes about 35 minutes. Now you have to get all the Windows Updates(more painful). Since it's a Dell computer, doing it this way, your chances of losing your files and folders are slim, but that's why we always stress for everyone to make copies of files and folders that they cannot afford to lose.

Rick