INSTALLING TWO COPIES OF WINDOWS XP

[Teri]

I need to install another copy of windows xp home on my
computer in order to backup my data files before
reformatting the hard drive.

This is all from an error with the hal.dll file which is
missing or corrupt.\

I tried running the bootcfg /rebuild from the recovery
console after running chkdsk /r but the bootcfg /rebuild
kept giving me an error message.

DOES ANYONE NO HOW TO INSTALL ANOTHER COPY OF WINDOWS XP
ON A COMPUTER THAT ALREADY HAS WINDOWS XP INSTALLED.

I really don't feel like paying **** XXXX amount of
dollars to walk me through all of this.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I need to install another copy of windows xp home on my
computer in order to backup my data files before
reformatting the hard drive.

This is all from an error with the hal.dll file which is
missing or corrupt.\

I tried running the bootcfg /rebuild from the recovery
console after running chkdsk /r but the bootcfg /rebuild
kept giving me an error message.

DOES ANYONE NO HOW TO INSTALL ANOTHER COPY OF WINDOWS XP
ON A COMPUTER THAT ALREADY HAS WINDOWS XP INSTALLED.

I really don't feel like paying **** XXXX amount of
dollars to walk me through all of this.

Any help is appreciated.

Why not do a repair install?
You can easily install a second XP if you have multiple hard drives or
partitions.
If your version of XP includes SP1, you can install to a new location and
you will have 3 days to activate. Do not activate. This should be adequate
time to retrieve your data to backup media.
If XP is Pre SP1, you will be prompted to make a phone call activation.
Since the SP1 3 day grace period was added to eliminate this need to make a
phone call activation for troubleshooting and data retrieval purposes. You
can say you made hardware changes that prompted the activation. No need for
other explanation as it will only confuse the purpose of your reinstall.

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[CWatters]

Missing/corrupt hal.dll errors can be caused by problems with boot.ini. It
would seem very unwise to try something like creating a dual boot system
(which also changes with boot.ini I think) when there is already one problem
with the boot.ini.

What else have you tried to fix the problem first?... This sort of thing?...

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000490.htm

Colin (not an MVP)

 

[Alex Nichol]

I need to install another copy of windows xp home on my
computer in order to backup my data files before
reformatting the hard drive.

This is all from an error with the hal.dll file which is
missing or corrupt.\

You do *not* need to install a second copy - unless there is further
major corruption beyond what that indicates: a corruption of the
boot.ini file. That tells the boot where to look for windows
components, and it is looking in the wrong place. Hal.dll just happens
to be the first file it looks for.

Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard Disk. Boot the XP CD and, instead
of Setup, take the immediate R for Repair. Assume any password
requested is blank, and TAB over.
Give:
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
DEL C:\Boot.ini
(thus deleting the old one)
BootCfg /Rebuild