hall.dll & boot.ini

[rooster]

RE: hall.dll & boot.ini

It’s a long story but, the Q I have to keep asking is: can someone
explain why my boot.ini file looks wonky to me, but everyone else seems
to think it is either OK or ignores the question entirely?

I am not savvy at all when it comes to technical/systems. But it just
‘looks’ wrong to me and since it very might well be involved in another
serious problem I am having when I try to boot into XP-Home, Safe Mode
or Troubleshooting from the Startup Splash menu, I want a clear,
informed answer so I can either deal with it or wobble along and look
for solutions elsewhere.

I am running Windows XP-Home on an "eMachines T2893 OEM" Desktop.

The problem I have is that when I do try to navigate into Safe Mode I
get an error message saying “hall.dll is missing or corrupt. Please
replace….”. I can get into Safe mode using the "Normal" option in the
Startup Splash, but it runs without Display settings. The pages are
illegible.

My boot.ini looks like this:

From: sysdm.cpl, [Advanced tab] [Settings ~ Startup and Recovery]
[System Startup] [Edit]:

[boot loader]
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
timeout=30

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

I’ve been told half a dozen times this is the way it is supposed to
appear, but my seedy old melon tells me the two lines seem to be
invoking different things, else why use different terms to say the same
thing, i.e. [boot loader] says “\WINDOWS” whereas [operating systems]
uses “\WINNT”.

I fully expect to be told I am an idiot but I don’t care as long as
someone has the grace to explain why the file is actually OK. I’ve spent
weeks trying to resolve the primary, startup boot to Safe Mode problem,
and I’m not getting any younger; just grouchier.

rooster
boundary bay, bc.

Windows XP-Home (OEM emachines T2893)
Firefox (1.5.0.4) (Default)
Thunderbird (1.5.0.4) (Default)
*IE/OE SP2,
*Netscape,
*Opera
Ad-Aware SE Personal v 1.06
Spybot S&D 1.4
SpywareBlaster v3.4
WinPatrol
AVG Free Edition 7.1.394
Ewido 4.0
Kerio Personal 2.1.4
BigFix 2.0.2.3

 

[Harry Ohrn MS MVP]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022/

 

[Timothy Daniels]

My boot.ini looks like this:

[boot loader]
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
timeout=30

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

my seedy old melon tells me the two lines seem to be invoking different things, else why use different terms to say the same
thing, i.e. [boot loader] says “\WINDOWS” whereas [operating systems] uses “\WINNT”.

WinXP's default is a "WINDOWS" folder, so check to see if you do
have a WINDOWS folder at C:\WINDOWS. Mono-booting doesn't
need a timeout value, and the installer would set that to "0".
It looks like someone has been installing or re-installing the OS
(perhaps trying to dual-boot with NT) and gave "30" as the timeout
span.

Try changing the timeout value to "0" and "WINNT" to "WINDOWS"
and take out the blank line between "timeout=0" and "[operating systems]".

*TimDaniels*

 

[Kelly]

WinXP's default is a "WINDOWS" folder

Not necessary true!

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows XP Media Center Edition"
/fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn


--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

My boot.ini looks like this:

[boot loader]
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
timeout=30

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

my seedy old melon tells me the two lines seem to be invoking different
things, else why use different terms to say the same thing, i.e. [boot
loader] says “\WINDOWS” whereas [operating systems] uses “\WINNT”.

WinXP's default is a "WINDOWS" folder, so check to see if you do
have a WINDOWS folder at C:\WINDOWS. Mono-booting doesn't
need a timeout value, and the installer would set that to "0".
It looks like someone has been installing or re-installing the OS
(perhaps trying to dual-boot with NT) and gave "30" as the timeout
span.

Try changing the timeout value to "0" and "WINNT" to "WINDOWS"
and take out the blank line between "timeout=0" and "[operating
systems]".

*TimDaniels*

 

[rooster]

Than you Harry & Tim;

ACTION
Changed boot.ini to:

[boot loader]
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
timeout=0
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect


RESULTS
1. I can access Safe Mode without the hal.dll missing or corrupt
message. But; Display Settings in SM still render ewido and other
applications pages illegible.

2. I still can’t select Windows XP at Startup Splash screen; the hal.dll
missing or corrupt message is still there. I have to allow startup to
proceed “Windows Default” mode.

3. After exiting Safe Mode and Restarting, my Display Settings are gone
and I have to do System Restore to retrieve them.

NOTE:
I have reviewed the Q310994 fix for the hal.dll problem. This only
obtains with PCs with floppy drives or to XP-Pro. My unit has an optical
disk drive.

NOTE:
The software that came with this unit, the eMachines T2893 Restore DVD,
does not allow booting from it. Neither does the Directory (?) come with
the “Restore Console” that is P & P of the Branded XP-Home CD-R. I
learned only this morning that the “Restore Console DVD” can be
purchased separately for $20 US from eMachines Store!!!??? Hrrrumph.

OPTION?
I do have the option of borrowing a CD that came with a Touch Systems
OEM, provided there wouldn’t be copywrite issues (there shouldn’t be but
who am I to say?).

The CD says:
“Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
for Distribution Only with A New PC

The software included on this CD-ROM has been pre-installed on your hard
drive. This CD may be used for backup and recovery of your computer
system. Unauthorized reproduction of this CD or its contents without
written consent is strictly prohibited. For product support, please
contact your Synergia reseller.”

IF this be an option, (and Haggis has graciously opined that it might
be. (See: "PROPRIETARY ISSUE", this NG ) I would have to have cookbook
instructions on what to do in order to deposit this hal.dll file in
Windows Directory.

rooster