install xp pro

[slvfox]

I am upgrading to xp pro from 98 second edition. During
the upgrade, the power save veature kicked in and shut
down the computer. Now I'm unable to start the computer.
It will not open in the safe mode. It will ask for the
bootdisk which it will not recognize during startup. I
found out by accident that if the computer stayed in the
screen asking for the bootdisk that after about 5 min it
will go to a screen asking if I want to continue
downloading xp. When I press enter I get a error msg
stating "windows could not start because the following
file is missing or corrupt: <windows root>\system32
\hal.dll. Please reinstall a copy". What is that file and
where can I find it so I continue the install. Please
help..

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You need to start over and perform a "clean install":

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ** Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall **
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I am upgrading to xp pro from 98 second edition. During
| the upgrade, the power save veature kicked in and shut
| down the computer. Now I'm unable to start the computer.
| It will not open in the safe mode. It will ask for the
| bootdisk which it will not recognize during startup. I
| found out by accident that if the computer stayed in the
| screen asking for the bootdisk that after about 5 min it
| will go to a screen asking if I want to continue
| downloading xp. When I press enter I get a error msg
| stating "windows could not start because the following
| file is missing or corrupt: <windows root>\system32
| \hal.dll. Please reinstall a copy". What is that file and
| where can I find it so I continue the install. Please
| help..