Windows Could Not Start Because...

Hit F8 and Boot to last known good configuration.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1064093&l=en&langid=1&c=us&cs=19&s=dhs

I tried the F8 thing, and it still didn't work. I also printed that link but i'm semi computer jargon illiterate so it didn't help me much. Thank you though. I called geek squad, they said they can fix it for ONLY $229...to bad I don't have that money just sitting around waiting to be spent...

Okay, my mistake, try F11

I had this same problem, did you get any help with this? 

Assuming this is Windows XP, boot from your XP CD and follow the directions to start Recovery Console. At the C: prompt, type in the following (correct spelling and spaces are essential!). Press ENTER after you type in each line:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
DEL C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild
Fixboot

When the system is back to the C: prompt after you enter the last line, remove the XP CD and reboot.

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 04-18-200609:24 AM

When I do this I get these three lines

Loading PBR for descriptor 3 ...done.

Loading DRMK Version 8.00 ...

Can't load kernel file

 

any other suggestions?

You can try booting to the Recovery Console C: prompt again and type in:
chkdsk C:/R
Let it check the HD for errors. Then you can try the same sequence that was in my previous post again.

If that doesn't do it, you may have to do a Repair/Reinstall of XP, unless somebody's got a better suggestion. You won't lose your personal files or software but you will have to reinstall all the XP updates and hotfixes.

Here's instructions to do the Repair. Do not press R when given the first chance as you did to enter Recovery Console. Press Enter. The Windows license should appear. Press F8 to accept it and follow the prompts to repair XP. As soon as that's done, get your firewall and antiviral software running. Then go directly to the MS update site and install all the updates. Don't surf or read email until the updates are installed.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1056993&l=en&langid=1&c=us&cs=19&s=dhs

Ron

One more thought. Is the version of XP on the CD the same as on the PC hard drive? For example, does the CD contain XP, but the system itself has XP with Service Pack 1 or SP2?

Ron

Thank you I will try this.

I am unsure at this time.  How would I find this out for sure, would it be anywhere that I can check?

What does it say on the Dell XP CD? Mine says "Windows XP including Service Pack 2".
If you right-click My Computer and select Properties, the General tab will list the version of Windows installed on the HD. If they're both the same then that's not an issue.

Ron