reinstall windows again. make sure you delete all the partitions.

But I want to log in to my old Windows because I haven't backup my files. Do you know how to install hal.dll file before can log into Windows?

Ahwah78,

 

Congratulations, you have performed a parallel installation of Windows.  Your original Windows installation should be in the C:\Windows directory.  The new one should be in the C:\Winnt directory if you accepted the default.  A repair installation of your original installation would probably have solved your problem without destroying your data files.   More information on repairing a Windows installation can be found here: 

 http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/

 

Reinstalling the hal.dll is simple.  You could use the Recovery Console and copy the file from the Windows XP CD to the C:\Windows\system32 folder.  Since you've created a parallel installation, you can copy the hal.dll file from the new Windows directory; i.e., C:\Winnt\system32\hal.dll to the old Windows directory, C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll.

 

Since both Windows installations share the Program Files subdirectory, uninstalling one or the other may create more problems than it solves.  Unfortunately, there is no uninstall program for a parallel installation of Windows.  Programs installed in the original Windows installation; i.e., MS Office, Quicken, etc., will have to be installed again in the parallel installation.  Therein lies the rub.  Documents, spreadsheets, photos, Favorites and other data files will have to be imported from the old Windows user account(s) to the parallel Windows user account(s).  If you use Outlook or Outlook Express, you will need to import your e-mail settings and address book into the parallel Windows installation.  Accessing folders and data files within the original Windows installation from the parallel installation may require changes in ownership and rights to those folders.  That in itself can be a frustrating task.

 

If you feel really lucky, it basically comes down to this:  Login to the Windows installation you wish to use, then simply delete the folder wherein the other system resides.  Once that is done, you can Start|Run msconfig, click on the Boot.ini tab, and then click on the "Check all Paths" button to clean up the boot.ini file so that you only have one choice at boot.  Note that there will be user accounts associated with both installations in the Documents and Settings folder.  Delete the wrong one(s) and you're back to an unbootable system.

 

I deliberately created a parallel installation on my system so that I could use it for repairs to my primary Windows installation should the need arise.  It doesn't use that much space, and it does provide a safety net of sorts.

 

Hope this info helps you decide how to proceed. 

 

Tony

Dear Tony, I don't think i have a parallel installation of Windows because i can't find the C:\Winnt folder in my PC. My problem is before i can log into Windows, it comes out a screen to ask me to select which Windows (old vs new) to use. However, if i choose old Windows, it prompted an error message saying that hal.dll file is corrupted, please reinstall. How to solve this problem? If I log into new Windows, of course no problem to proceed on. I can see my old Windows user folder but I can't go in as it prompted a message saying that the folder is fully protected. Anyway to go into the file? I really want to backup my old files. Can you help?

Ahwah78,

 

There are several ways to get into the old Windows user folder, but first let's see if we can get the corrupt hal.dll file replaced.   Boot into the secondary Windows you just installed.  Go to the root directory of the C: drive and look for the C:\I386 folder.  In that folder you should find the hal.dll file.  Copy that file to the C:\Windows\System32\ folder.  Restart your computer.  See if you can log into the old Windows system.  If not let us know.

 

It would be helpful if we knew the version of your Windows.  Is it the Home or Professional version.  It would also be helpful if we knew the model of your Dell computer.

 

Tony

Dear Tony, I'm using Professional version for my Dimension 3100 desktop PC.

Dear Tony, I have done the step as per your suggestion, "Copy that file to the C:\Windows\System32\ folder. Restart your computer.". But, I still unable to log into the old Windows, same message prompted, "hal.dll file corrupted, please reinstall". I confirm that there is no Winnt folder in drive C: at all. Any other ways for me to log into the old Windows? Your guidance is highly appreciated.

Alwah,

 

OK.  We can try a few more things.  Since the hal.dll in the new XP is working, we need to find it.  The reason is because the Hardware Abstraction Layer can be one of two versions.  A determination is made during installation as to whether or not Power Save is turned on in the BIOS, and the appropriate version of hal.dll is installed.  You could check your BIOS settings and see if Power Save is enabled or disabled.  If you change it, you may be able to boot into the old XP.

 

Do this: Click on Start|Run.  Type cmd and press Enter.  At the prompt, type CD\ and press Enter.

Now, key in TYPE BOOT.INI and press Enter.  You should see a line that reads:

"default=multi<0>disk<0>rdisk<0>partition<2>\Windows"

Whatever is listed where "Windows" is shown in the above line is the name of the subdirectory where your new XP is located.  Therefore, you can copy the hal.dll from that subdirectory's system32 folder to the C:\Windows\system32 folder.

 

Another old trick that dates back to DOD (Days Of DOS) is to go to the C:\Windows\system32\ folder.  Rename the hal.dll to something like hal.dlk.  Now, copy hal.dll from the C:\I386 folder or from the new XP's system32 directory.  The reason for doing this is that once in a blue moon a bad spot has developed on the drive exactly where the hal.dll file is located.  Renaming it and putting a new copy in that subdirectory circumvents that rare possibility.

 

In the meantime, I would suggest that you go to www.ubcd4win.com.  Read the instructions on how to create an Ultimate Boot CD for Windows.  You can create this "live" CD which will allow you to boot up and run the Windows XP PE version from your CD ROM drive.  The UBCD has utilities that will allow you to copy or burn your data to removable media such as an external USB drive.

 

Let us know how you fare.

 

Tony

Maybe this would help:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/945380/en-us

 

If you have the \I386 folder on your PC there is a spare copy of hal.dll in there. You could try copying it to the C:\windows\system32 folder.