Lost files in upgrade from WIN98 to XP

[Guest]

I have upgraded my laptop from WIN98 to XP a few days ago, and it seemed to work fine. When I rebooted, I ran into problems with HAL.DLL. In an effor to fix this problem, I tried to move the necessary files using the console mode, but was unsuccessful due to "access denied" error. Giving up, I reloaded WIN98 and then WINXP. Now, I have two problems:

1) When the computer boots, it has two options for WINXP. When I select one option, I still get the HAL.DLL error, and when I select the other it boots successfully.
2) I have 11.2 gig on my computer disk drive. XP shows 5.6gig used with only the operating system loaded. This means that all my files are probably on my computer, but I cannot access them. I have tried to reclaim them in console mode, but have been unsuccessful.

I need to know:
1) how do I eliminate the HAL.DLL installation problem,
2) How do I either reclaim or eliminate the files on my disk to restore them from backup.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

 

[PA Bear]

HAL.DLL: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

Files:

Using WinXP's FAST Wizard (Gary Woodruff, MVP)
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm
--
HTH...Please post back to this thread

~Robear Dyer (aka PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have upgraded my laptop from WIN98 to XP a few days ago, and it seemed to work fine. When I rebooted, I ran into problems with HAL.DLL. In an effor to fix this problem, I tried to move the necessary files using the console mode, but was unsuccessful due to "access denied" error. Giving up, I reloaded WIN98 and then WINXP. Now, I have two problems:

1) When the computer boots, it has two options for WINXP. When I select one option, I still get the HAL.DLL error, and when I select the other it boots successfully.

A HAL.dll error indicates a wrong entry in the Boot.ini file, that tell
the boot where to look for Windows components - HAL just happens to be
the first one it looks for.

You ought not to try replacing hal.dll, but evidently have managed to
get a version that works, and a correct entry - all you need is to
remove the invalid one. Start - Run - MSConfig.exe and on its BOOT.INI
page click 'Check All Paths'. That should identify the invalid one and
allow you to remove it