Am getting various messages at boot-up:
-Error Config.sys line 17
-Command Interpreter file missing or corrupt (eg C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM)
-hal.dll missing (have checked and file is in System32, but in upper case ie
HAL.DLL)
-System32\DRIVERS\pci.sys missing. (I found this file, but the Drivers file
is a Windows sub-folder and is not a System32 sub-folder ie WINDOWS\DRIVERS
-not- WINdOWS\System32\DRIVERS.)

To make a long story short, I am running off of a HD that I have just
reformatted (using a restore disc), because I couldn't fix my problem on
original OS/Master HD. I have updated new primary HD w/ SP1 pack, but am
hesitant to update w/ SP2 until this prob is resolved. (Will updating solve
corrupted file probs?) I have slaved my original HD w/ problematic OS ,
(operable, but entire system slows when I link to internet site-3-5minutes to
open pg), in order to transfer progs and docs from it to the new master HD. I
have been able to access my new system only by using the system Restore Disc
during boot up and then ejecting it just before the CD is read, thus
"tricking" my OS. (BIOS is set for CD drive to be read first).

I have given up on fixing the prob w/ old OS, but having new probs after
just reformatting a new HD w/ a new OS is becoming very disconcerting. Any
help out there? TXIA.

How to Move a Windows XP Installation to Different Hardware
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBJ/tip4800/rh4839.htm

Situations in Which Windows May Not Start in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q199175

How to Troubleshoot Hardware Abstraction Layer Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q237556

More information and a workaround here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_h.htm#xp_hall.dll

--
All the Best,
Kelly

Microsoft-MVP Windows® XP-Shell/User
2004 Windows MVP "Winny" Award

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


"Michael M" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:47827C55-9D78-44D8-80D1-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Am getting various messages at boot-up:
> -Error Config.sys line 17
> -Command Interpreter file missing or corrupt (eg C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM)
> -hal.dll missing (have checked and file is in System32, but in upper case
> ie
> HAL.DLL)
> -System32\DRIVERS\pci.sys missing. (I found this file, but the Drivers
> file
> is a Windows sub-folder and is not a System32 sub-folder ie
> WINDOWS\DRIVERS
> -not- WINdOWS\System32\DRIVERS.)
>
> To make a long story short, I am running off of a HD that I have just
> reformatted (using a restore disc), because I couldn't fix my problem on
> original OS/Master HD. I have updated new primary HD w/ SP1 pack, but am
> hesitant to update w/ SP2 until this prob is resolved. (Will updating
> solve
> corrupted file probs?) I have slaved my original HD w/ problematic OS ,
> (operable, but entire system slows when I link to internet site-3-5minutes
> to
> open pg), in order to transfer progs and docs from it to the new master
> HD. I
> have been able to access my new system only by using the system Restore
> Disc
> during boot up and then ejecting it just before the CD is read, thus
> "tricking" my OS. (BIOS is set for CD drive to be read first).
>
> I have given up on fixing the prob w/ old OS, but having new probs after
> just reformatting a new HD w/ a new OS is becoming very disconcerting. Any
> help out there? TXIA.

Michael M wrote:

>Am getting various messages at boot-up:
>-Error Config.sys line 17
>-Command Interpreter file missing or corrupt (eg C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM)
>-hal.dll missing (have checked and file is in System32, but in upper case ie
>HAL.DLL)

That one indicates corruption of the boot.ini file, so it is looking in
the wrong place for Windows - hal.dll is just the first file it looks
for

>-System32\DRIVERS\pci.sys missing. (I found this file, but the Drivers file
>is a Windows sub-folder and is not a System32 sub-folder ie WINDOWS\DRIVERS
>-not- WINdOWS\System32\DRIVERS.)

You would not be getting that one if the hal message had appeared, so
you have some intermittent disk reading trouble, and I would suspect the
drive is about to die. First thing is back up data for safety. Then
Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard Disk. Boot the XP CD and, instead
of Setup, take the immediate R for Repair. Assume any password
requested is blank, and TAB over. Run
CHKDSK C: /F
and see what is reported.

You can also get the free Everest Home edition from
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1
which is an excellent general System Info tool, and its Storage - SMART
will tell you about the state of the drive's own automatic monitoring
(provided that is turned on in the BIOS). If that shows danger states
the drive will need replacing


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (E-Mail Removed) (remove the D8 bit)