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Hal.dll Problems
Hey, I'm having problems booting into Windows.
It gives me an error message saying "hal.dll" is missing or corrupt, right after seeing the Dell splash screen. I have a Windows XP Home Edition CD which I followed instructions from other websites to fix the problem which is related to the "boot.ini" file.
This includes going into the Recovery Console, and using bootcfg to rebuild the file, and chkdsk to see if there were any errors. The bootcfg failed, and the chkdsk said I had something along the lines of an "unrecoverable problem."
Although it does come up with the missing file message, I can still get into the F8 menu and choose my OS or go into safe mode, but I still get the same error message.
Is it possible to buy a small storage SATA hard drive which could connect to the motherboard, and install Windows from the CD onto that hard drive to recover the data, or better still, change the boot.ini file, or replace "hal.dll" to resolve the problem.
Thanks, Ian.
Message Edited by iandotcom on 05-05-2007 04:46 AM
It gives me an error message saying "hal.dll" is missing or corrupt, right after seeing the Dell splash screen. I have a Windows XP Home Edition CD which I followed instructions from other websites to fix the problem which is related to the "boot.ini" file.
This includes going into the Recovery Console, and using bootcfg to rebuild the file, and chkdsk to see if there were any errors. The bootcfg failed, and the chkdsk said I had something along the lines of an "unrecoverable problem."
Although it does come up with the missing file message, I can still get into the F8 menu and choose my OS or go into safe mode, but I still get the same error message.
Is it possible to buy a small storage SATA hard drive which could connect to the motherboard, and install Windows from the CD onto that hard drive to recover the data, or better still, change the boot.ini file, or replace "hal.dll" to resolve the problem.
Thanks, Ian.
Message Edited by iandotcom on 05-05-2007 04:46 AM
- Thanks for the reply osprey. If possible, would this be the right drive for the job. It says Dimension 9150 MTD on the compatible items, but I'm not sure exactly that that means. To my knowledge, I only have a 9150. Ian.
Message Edited by iandotcom on 05-05-2007 06:56 AM - This is a frequently posted and answered question, as these search results will show. The safest approach to saving your data would be to install another hard drive, install the OS, then put the old drive back in and try recovering data. The other advantage of a new hard drive is that it will give you a way to implement a backup strategy, which you currently seem to lack.
- I found this soulution.IF REINSTALLING WINDOWS IS NOT AN OPTION.Final Solution:Removed hard drive from system.
Added Hard drive to a 2nd WORKING XP PRO System. As Slave on Cable select.***(all references to “D:\” are the Slave Hard drive damaged windows)***Booted system and enabled - Explorer\tools\folder optionsDisplay contents of system folders.
Show Hidden Files and Folders.
UN-check Hide Protected OS Files.Go to “D:\” open Boot.ini in NOTEPAD, remove the Extra OS’s added with option 1.
Close and Save changes to Boot.iniGo to “My Computer” Right click on “D:\” select SEARCH “D:\”Search “All or Part of the File Name” = “hal”Hal.dll may or may not be found in “D:\WINDOWS\System32” either way it’s no good.
A working copy of hal.dll WILL be found in “C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386”
COPY THAT FILE “D:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\hal.dll”
And Paste it to “D:\WINDOWS\System32” folder; if it asks to overwrite say YES.You may now un-do the changes made to Explorer\tools\folder options to RE-Hide files.
Shut Down the computer.Remove the 2nd Drive and reinstall it to its own tower as Master.You should Now be able to boot the computer up as if nothing ever happened.With the exception that it will prompt you to reinstall some drivers, Just say YES and let it auto detect …THEY ARE ALREADY THERE. And will setup fine.This "FIX" assumes that the computer in question HAS at ther very least service pack1, if not service pack 2.If these patches have NOT been installed , I dont belive any such Reserve copy of hal.dll will exist on the drive!
iandotcom
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Posted May 5th, 2007 08:00
The problem started when I used Partition Magic to resize the main partition, and then afterwards I used the Windows partition manager to create a new partition before the existing one.
As a result of this, I think the boot.ini file is looking for the wrong place to load up Windows as the file is referenced wrong. Basically, I think that because the new partition is in the position that the old one was in, the boot.ini file is looking for something that doesn't exist, giving me that message.
Heres some information on my system, I live in the UK, so I think it might be a little different:
- Dell Dimension 9150
- Intel P4 3.8Ghz
- 4GB Ram
- 2 x 250 GB SATA Hard Drives, Raid 0 Stripe Array
If you need any more info, let me know =D