invalid boot.ini error - but cant seem to use recover console

[Gary Massengale]

I have a windows xp home laptop. Got the error "windows could not start
because the following file is missing or corrupt: windows\system32\hal.dll"

as per Q330184 I inserted the XP CD and booted into recovery console.

I het "R" for repair, but after that all I see is:
"
the recovery console provides system repair and recovery funtionality.
type EXIT to quit the recovery console and restart the computer.

c:\>
"

shouldnt I be getting a prompt to login as admin?
it just sits there at the DOS prompt.


gary

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

You're there - the Recovery Console looks and acts functionally like a DOS
prompt. Now just follow the steps in the article. Not sure why you weren't
prompted to logon with the admin password, but don't complain.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Gary Massengale]

Okay, so then I type

bootcfg /list

it says "there are currently no boot entries available to display"

What next?


gary

 

[Randy]

Okay, so then I type

bootcfg /list

it says "there are currently no boot entries available to display"

What next?


gary

Try the next command: bootcfg /rebuild.

 

[Gary Massengale]

did that, got
"failed to successfully scan discs for windows installations. This error
may be caused by corrupt file system, which could prevent Bootcfg from
successfully scanning. Use chkdsk to detect any disk errors.

I tried chkdsk, it got to about 14% and then the laptop shut down., just
powered off!

what should I try next?
and thanks for the help!

Gary

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi gary,

Was the laptop plugged in at that point, or were you on batteries? You
should never work on it while running on batteries. Can you reload the
Recovery Console? If so, run chkdsk with the /f parameter.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Gary Massengale]

well, the guy forgot his power supply for the laptop, which is a compaq,
but swears it had a full charge, and it is only a few months old.

But I did have a power supply for an older compaq laptop, and tried that and
got it to power up. But it goes so far on chkdsk and then shuts down.
So I am not 100% certain it is a battery problem or not.

I tried chkdsk /f but it says "parameter not valid".

If I trype chkdsk /?
the only options it lists are /P and /R.

gary


thanks
gary

 

[Rock]

well, the guy forgot his power supply for the laptop, which is a compaq,
but swears it had a full charge, and it is only a few months old.

But I did have a power supply for an older compaq laptop, and tried that and
got it to power up. But it goes so far on chkdsk and then shuts down.
So I am not 100% certain it is a battery problem or not.

I tried chkdsk /f but it says "parameter not valid".

If I trype chkdsk /?
the only options it lists are /P and /R.

Chkdsk /p instead of chkdsk /f. Chkdsk /r does all that /p does and
checks the drive for defects. It takes longer. Also check to be sure
the drive isn't failing. Download a drive diagnostic utility from the
drive manufacturer's web site. This generally creates a bootable floppy
disk; run the diagnostics on there.