anyone fix this mess?

[Al Botteon]

I build computers and I can't believe I did this,,but....I'm using winxp
w/60GB HD. Wanting to create a second partition, I used my PM 8 diskettes
and initiated a resize to give me an extra 400MB partition. It took so long
when it got to the moving data part that at the 38% done point I went and
aborted by hitting CTR Alt Delete, and shutting down machine. On reboot with
PM diskettes, I was out to lunch, the only options being to delete or format
the HD. So much for resuming. I couldn't boot to Windows, receiving
following message"Invalid boot.ini file, booting from C:\Windows", at which
point following message came up: "windows could not start because the
following file is missing or corrupt: <windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please reinstall a copy of the above file".
I tried booting from xp disc, and hit "r" for recovery console, but it only
brought me to a C:\windows prompt.
I contacted Symantec Tech Support, and they said couldn't help me until I
could boot into Windows, then call them back. Anyone know how to undo this
foolish mess?

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Boot to Recovery Console, and run the commands

FIXBOOT

and

BOOTCFG /REBUILD

 

[Al Botteon]

did as instructed, then didn't know what to do when it asked me "add
installation to boot list (yes, no, all)" and then after hitting yes, "enter
os load options"

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

well, the standard load option is '/fastboot' but just hitting enter should
get you by that.

 

[Al Botteon]

whoops, sorry; forgot that before question on load option was "enter load
identifier"

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

If you run the bootcfg command without argument /rebuild , you get a GUI
interface that lets you choose what to use.

 

[Al Botteon]

There is no gui w/out argument. Only a list of arguments I can use. I keep
getting hung up on "enter load identifier" because I don't know what to put
in. No matter what I type in or don't, the next prompt is "enter load
options" and after that "error, haven't added anything to boot list.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

I don't know why you are not getting the syntax as reported by the help

----
Bootcfg
Use the bootcfg command for boot configuration and recovery (boot.ini for
most computers).

The bootcfg command with the parameters listed below is only available when
you are using the Recovery Console. The bootcfg command with different
parameters is available from the command prompt.

Usage:

bootcfg /default

Set the default boot entry.

bootcfg /add

Add a Windows installation to the boot list.
bootcfg /rebuild

Iterate through all Windows installations and allow the user to choose which
to add.

---

 

[David Candy]

Windows doesn't need a boot.ini. It looks for c:\windows or winnt if it can't understand boot.ini. If your XP was installed in that folder it said it trying to boot from your files are stuffed.

 

[Al Botteon]

I get all the arguments and I've tried everything. Going to windows support
I found out that for load identifier you use"microsoft xp professional" or
elsewhere "microsoft windows xp professional", but no matter what I use, and
then use /fastdetect or nothing for load options, I always get error message
that nothing added to boot list. I can't boot to safe mode or a command
prompt to use bootcfg.exe, which is different than that offered by the
recovery console. I'm lost. And I appreciate your help.

 

[Al Botteon]

I thank all who tried to help me, but the authorative word is that when I
aborted my Partition Magic resize, I screwed up the works, but good. There
is no recourse with Windows, whatsoever. My only options at this point are
to format and reinstall, or try for a data recovery solution on my HD.
Again, thanks.