Can't boot XP

[Paul Schumacher]

I am having a problem in booting XP. I am getting the message "Windows could
not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: F<windows
root>\system32\hal.dll. Please reinstall a copy of the above file"

I have reinstalled this file via a dos command to copy from a floppy to the
system32 folder but it has not made any difference.

Please help. TIA

Paul

 

[John Barnett MVP]

have you followed the instructions on my website regarding this problems?
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Click the Win XP Faq button and take a look
at question 36 'how do i repair a missing or corrupt hal.dll.file'

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..

 

[Paul Schumacher]

Thanks. I triewd this and it did help somewhat but now I have an additional
problem. When I boot now it starts to load windows with the white bar moving
from left to right at the bottom of the screen but when it gets to the right
side the system hangs. I also tried load last good configuration and got the
same results. What next?

BTW: it would be helpful on your FAQ #36 to add a space after the / for the
bootcfg commands. Also the next screen after the rebuild asked two
additional questions about what to call the OS or something like that-can't
remember exactly. Could you add something to #36 to address this for us
novices. Thanks for the help.

 

[Paul Schumacher]

John,

Thanks. I tried this and it did help somewhat but now I have an additional
problem. When I boot now it starts to load windows with the white bar moving
from left to right at the bottom of the screen but when it gets to the right
side the system hangs. I also tried load last good configuration and got the
same results. What next?

BTW: it would be helpful on your FAQ #36 to add a space after the / for the
bootcfg commands. Also the next screen after the rebuild asked two
additional questions about what to call the OS or something like that-can't
remember exactly. Could you add something to #36 to address this for us
novices. Thanks for the help.

 

[Guest]

did you try safe mode or safe mode w/command prompt?

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Does the PC you are using to post here have Windows XP? If so visit my
website again and take a look at question 10 'how to create an emergency
startup disk for xp' You will need a floppy disk and a floppy disk drive on
your machine. After creating the emergency boot disk insert it into your
pc's floppy drive and reboot the machine. If all goes well it should boot to
the desktop (some people have had problems with the emergency disk not
working, but it works fine on my machine). If you can boot to the desktop
using the floppy disk, make sure you follow the instructions for showing
hidden files and folders and system files (as per the instruction in Q10)
and then copy the boot.ini file from the floppy to the C: drive of your pc.
finally remove the floppy from the flopy drive and reboot. Hopefully, the
machine should boot to the desktop without any problem.

Thanks for bringing the 'space' problem to my attention i have correct this.
As to your other request i will have to check the procedure myself and, if
necessary, make the necessary information available on the web page.


--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..

 

[Paul Schumacher]

Thanks John.

I eventually gave up and reinstalled windows. Lost the settings, etc but
this is not my primary machine so not a big deal. Now I will try to install
98 on the second drive so as to eventually get a dual boot.

Paul