missing HAL.DLL - but that's not it - more issues pls help!

[daviddschool]

I have done the research to try and fix the missing hal.dll (google
and have seen a lot of fixes). Here is the issue : when I boot, it
stops before XP comes up and gives me the error that the hal.dll is
corrupt or missing, please reboot. I have tried to reboot several
times.

1) I put the hard drive on another computer, but it wouldn't read it
properly (using an USB 2.0 external bay)
2) I have tried the windows recovery CD (booted with the XP CD) and
did the bootcfg /rebuild but I get an error and it won't let me - and
tells me I must do a chkdsk.

So I am trying that, but it is taking forever (on an 80 gig drive). I
am hoping this fixes the issue ,but I can't understand why it wasn't
recognized on the other computer (I have tried administrative tools,
and it sees it, but it won't let me read it from windows explorer.
When trying to look at it from another computer (external drive), it
tells me something about "error on NPAGE operation?"

I have done a backup at the beginning of September, but that doesn't
help me with all of the work I did today on it (which was 8 hours or
so). I am hoping I don't have to reformat or I can at least get the
files to another computer before I do. Does anyone know a way of
booting to the DOS prompt so I can see the directory at least?
Safemode does not work. Last BEST known config. does not work either.

 

[daviddschool]

So I am trying that, but it is taking forever (on an 80 gig drive). I
am hoping this fixes the issue

Tried to fix the issue, tells me at 32% that there are one or more
irrecoverable errors on the drive. I hope there is a way around this
problem. That really is going to put me back...

 

[daviddschool]

I have the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error when I go into window
recovery console. This is getting worse and worse. Is there a fix to
that without reformating?

 

[sandy58]

Tried to fix the issue, tells me at 32% that there are one or more
irrecoverable errors on the drive.  I hope there is a way around this
problem.  That really is going to put me back...

Boot with a Windows 98 Start Up disk
Insert the Windows 98 CD into the CD reader
Run smartdrv.exe from the Win98 directory on the windows 98 CD (file
caching)
Type cd.. to back up to the root directory
Insert Windows XP CD into the CD reader
Copy the i386 folder to C:\
Go into C:\i386 folder on C: and type winnt.exe to launch the setup
from the hard drive.
PS. http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?hal
Download hal.dll here.
Good luck, daviddschool

 

[daviddschool]

I don't have a floppy drive connection on the motherboard, so no
floppy. What is the workaround for this?

 

[daviddschool]

Ok, I found the place where it goes on the motherboard for the A:
drive, trying what you said now.

 

[daviddschool]

Ok, it is telling me
"Cannot make directory entry 85S12gg.fo"

Is that a HARDDRIVE space issue? Why wouldn't that work? I have
tried 2 XP cd and the same thing happens.

 

[daviddschool]

I am now trying the REPAIR option with the XP cd. I think I can
repair the installation, but I am stuck at the PARTITION page. I
don't want to overwrite the partition, I just want to get to the
repair screen - this quote I got from the internet when searching for
an answer:

"Boot to the install CD. Do NOT use the initial repair option of the
first screen, but go to the install option (ONLY on this first
screen). If you have to press [F8] to accept the give-your-rights-away
screen, you are doing the right thing.

It will look for previous installations (and tell you it is doing so
as well). Choose/press "R" to re[ait the installation. "

 

[daviddschool]

Ok, I guess I am at the end here :
I have tried a repair (R) using the windows and then tried to copy the
ntldr and ntdetect to the C drive and it said "failed".
When I tried to get a directory of the C drive, it says :

"an error occured during directory enumeration."

 

[daviddschool]

Lastly before I wait for a response :

chkdsk does not work. It tells me : use Scandisk instead. I don't
know what it does this and doesn't even attempt to use the chkdsk on
the drive.

 

[John]

I have the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error when I go into window
recovery console. This is getting worse and worse. Is there a fix to
that without reformating?

I am far from an expert but here is what I would do (note: I am not
going to recommend converting to Linux)
a) See if you can beg, borrow or steal a USB drive (not a key) and plug
it in. Better yet, buy one.. you can get 250GB external for less than
100$
b) find a Linux (ie. knoppix) live CD and boot from it.
c) copy any of your data onto the USB drive so that its saved.
d) reformat the HD and reload XP.

by saving your data, you shouldn't lose anything.
And when you get back up and running, set up some sort of backup
schedule.

I'm not sure what else I'd do if I were you aside from taking the box
into a shop.

Good Luck!

 

[daviddschool]

I tried using Linux from Knoppix - and it runs but drags at the point
where it says :

PROBING LOADING AGP MODULES.

It does not go anywhere from there...so I wait.

 

[Telstar]

I tried using Linux from Knoppix - and it runs but drags at the point
where it says :

This is why you buy, the now very cheap, Acronis Drive Image 11 Home. It
creates a functioning Linux boot disc and browser and runs from it. It
works brilliantly in these situations.

 

[Telstar]

Lastly before I wait for a response :

chkdsk does not work. It tells me : use Scandisk instead. I don't
know what it does this and doesn't even attempt to use the chkdsk on
the drive.

Run Scandisk /f

 

[sgopus]

Since the directory info is hosed on the HD, it's not an issue with a missing
HAL, it's only telling you that as the HD its self is hosed, ie partition
info is missing on the HD, it's dead, I'm afraid you will have to get a new
hd, sorry to say, but a good backup program, including cloning your HD would
have helped greatly.

I not only do backups of data, but also external disk cloning of my primary
OS HD.
I tell ya, external drives are very affordable these days.

 

[daviddschool]

I made a backup at the beginning of Sept, it is just what I did today
that I wanted - 8 hours down the drain.
I am trying a few recovery programs, but nothing seems to be working.
I was going to try FIXBOOT or the like, but I don't know if this will
destroy everything on the drive?

 

[daviddschool]

When I plug it in, it tries the AUTOPLAY, so it is recognizing it, and
it even lists it in the windows explorer (F drive), but when I try to
access it, it says, no dice, and gives the error.
You are probably right that it is gone, but I have to think there is a
way of recovering some of the info on it before I go and reformat...

 

[daviddschool]

I have a feeling it is the partition that is acting up because when I
ran a diagnostic program, it said there is a partition error. Now, I
guess I need to find a partition program to fix it and hopefully
something that won't make me lose all the data...

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Tried to fix the issue, tells me at 32% that there are one or more
irrecoverable errors on the drive. I hope there is a way around this
problem. That really is going to put me back...

Boot with a Windows 98 Start Up disk
Insert the Windows 98 CD into the CD reader
Run smartdrv.exe from the Win98 directory on the windows 98 CD (file
caching)
Type cd.. to back up to the root directory
Insert Windows XP CD into the CD reader
Copy the i386 folder to C:\
Go into C:\i386 folder on C: and type winnt.exe to launch the setup
from the hard drive.
PS. http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?hal
Download hal.dll here.
Good luck, daviddschool

==================

it's extremely likely that this procedure will not work, because Win9x boot
disks cannot read NTFS volumes. If the target hard disk is over 40 gig,
it is almost certain to be NTFS.

HTH
-pk

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I made a backup at the beginning of Sept, it is just what I did today
that I wanted - 8 hours down the drain.
I am trying a few recovery programs, but nothing seems to be working.
I was going to try FIXBOOT or the like, but I don't know if this will
destroy everything on the drive?

You should *not bother*. Your drive is failing, and spending more time
running it will only make the problem worse, not to mention just waste your
time.

Remove the existing hard disk. Set it aside.

Get a new drive and do a new install to it. Once XP is installed and
running and all appropriate drivetrs are installed, attach the old disk as a
slave or using a USB2 drive case and attempt to copy the data to a folder on
the new hard disk.


HTH
-pk