<windows root>\system32\hal.dll error

[Guest]

I get the following error when I start up my PC.

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<windows root>\system32\hal.dll error
Please re-install a copy of the above file"

I have looked into solutions for this and I know that you are supposed to be
able to replace the hal.dll through the recovery console as described at
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

Unfortunatey I get an access denied message when I try to do this. I do know
what the administrator password is but I don't get prompted for it when I
start the recovery console.

Is there a way to log into recovery console manually so it knows I am the
administrator?

I am happy to wipe the machine if I am able to get a couple of files off it
first, so any suggestions of how to do this would be appreciated also!!

Safe mode, Last Known Good Configuration etc etc don't work. It is also a
laptop so putting the hard disk as a slave in another machine isn't an option
either.

Many thanks,

Dave

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

For help with the Recovery Console issue:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/recovery_console.htm
scroll down to: Recovery Console Password

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308402
'The Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to
Recovery
Console in Windows XP

If you still unable to solve the Hal.dll issue, through the Recovery Console
see below:

Try a repair install as follows:

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
instructing you
to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
you see this be sure to
hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
to boot from the CD, it's too
late, you'll need to reboot and try again.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
"Setup Windows,"
NOT "Repair Windows Installation.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

Note, in some cases, you won't receive the repair option, only an option to
reinstall. We have discovered that sometimes this is caused by damaged
boot.ini file that can be repaired as follows and also note, in the
instructions, "K" refers to the CD drive in which you have placed the XP CD,
replace that drive letter with the appropriate letter on your system, "K" is
simply an example.

Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option (this is the section I told
you to skip above. In this case, you will need to get to the Recovery
Console to perform the function below), and if the CD letter is say K: give
these commands

COPY K:\i386\ntldr C:
COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:
(two other files needed - just in case)
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\boot.ini
DEL C:\boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild

Once you've completed this function, reboot and see if you can access XP as
sometimes, the problem is the damaged boot.ini. If you still cannot access
XP, then reboot and re-run the repair install instructions at the beginning
of this message.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP which will allow you to perform the
above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.

 

[Guest]

I too am having some similar problems that Dave pointed out. I am not
getting the request for an administrator password. But I believe my problems
may be far worse. When I try to use the Windows XP recovery, It points to a
partition on my drive that has application recovery on it. It does not point
to C drive. In addition, when I switch to C drive, I am unable to find the
Windows directory. I did manage to delete the boot.ini file but am unable to
get the chkdsk /r to work. The last time I did a chkdsk /r on the C drive,
it stopped at 25% and a message said " you have one or more unrecoverable
problems. I own a HP Pavilion 523W and I have the Recovery Console CD as
well as the System Restore CDs. I have been working with Hewlett Packard on
this situation and am awaiting a response from the Advance Support Group. Is
there anything I can do to save my files from being deleted? At the moment,
a full system recovery is not an option due to the amount of files that I
need to avoid erasing. I am wondering if my not finding the Windows
directory is some kind of system glitch since the computer continues to
display a message that it is missing the hal.dll file.

Thanks

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Try to separate ideas into paragraphs in the future, it's easier to read
than one long paragraph.

Unfortunately, HP did not supply you with a retail XP CD or OEM equivalent.
They supplied you with a recovery disk and these disks don't have the option
for a repair install. Even if you could start it from the Recovery Console,
it won't recognize the recovery CD provided by HP. Unless the HP disks
provide some sort of repair procedure there's nothing we can offer beyond
running whatever HP's recovery routine happens to be and that usually wipes
all information and files from your hard drive and starts over from scratch.

Given the disks you have, you simply don't have the tools for anything else
unless HP can provide you with some other option.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/