XP troubles/hal.dll

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Ok.

I was wanting to do a clean install on my Dell which originally ran Me, but
had been upgraded to XP Home. Regardless of the OS I wanted to add (it was
XP Pro) I was unable to boot from the cd. This was because I was not getting
the hit F? for setup.

I eventually uninstalled the XP Home upgrade, and with my XP Pro cd was able
to gebin installing the XP Pro OS. During the process I have gotten the
followng message:

<windows root>\system32\hal.dll is missing or corrupt. PLease reinstall the
file etc.

I am unable to get past or away from this screen. I can reboot the PC from
a startup disk which gives me the A:> prmpt. I do NOT know what commands I
can use from here to get my PC working again.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
is this a desktop or laptop?
make and model pls. so i can refer to mfg website!!

is the win xp pro cd a full version or upgrade?

describe uninstall process for win xp home!!!
 
It is a Dell Dimesion 4100 desktop. After adding memory I did the XP Home
upgrade. I uninstalled the XP Home OS by using the Add/Remove programs in
Ctrl Panel.
 
is the win xp pro cd a full version or upgrade?

You haven't set boot order in computer bios.

you have to watch message at bottom of screen when computer boots up.
press pause key to stop screen from scrolling. then press spacebar to release.

Read message for entering "Bios Setup".
press Del, or F2, F10, or.............
computer bios vary.

change boot order of cd drive to be first boot device.
then should get prompt to press any key to boot from cd drive.
make sure cd is in top drice whether cd or dvd.

perform a clean install if you have a full version of win xp pro.
 
The XP Pro is the full version. I didn't know about the <pause> button. As
it is right now, I am getting the hal.dll error message directly from
startup.

NO screen pops up where I can hit any key now to enter bios or start the
install. If I wasn't clear about this before I started the clean install
after deleting (or removing) the XP Home in Windows.

I have no idea to get away from this error screen. On restarting the pc
with the XP Pro cd in the drive I go directly to this error meassage. I know
there is a way to get from the A:> prompt to restart my re-install or repair
(probably not an option anymore) or whatever. I just don't know how any more.

I amde the set-up disks for doing a clean install but they didn't work. I
had reformatted them and everything before making them. When using the
set-up disks I get remove all disks from their drives and then pres the any
key. DOH!
 
I have a newer Dell sitting here.
As soon as you turn on the PC, does the Dell logo appear?
in the upper right corner, does "F2 or F12 Setup" appear?
press F2 or F12!!!

even if you don't see "F2 or F12 setup", frequently tap F2 or F12 as soon as
you turn on PC!!! try several times as I'm unsure which key you should be
pressing!!!

if you see scrolling bars, you will have to start over!!
 
At this point if I restart the pc I get the error message only. When I was
booting the system prviously I was not getting the Dell screen. I haven't
gotten that since i did the original upgrade with XP Home. At this point I
have no boot up - just the error for hal.dll
 
All that I can do is repeat what was originally stated!!

even if you don't see "F2 or F12 setup", frequently tap F2 or F12

as soon as > you turn on PC!!!

try several times as I'm unsure which key you should be pressing!!!
if you see scrolling bars, you will have to start over!!
Click to expand...

Don't be faint of heart!!


KEEP trying!!! It has to work!!!


Are you using a Windows CD or Recovery CD or Resources CD?
 
Okay F2 got me to the setup. I changed the BIOS BOOT to start with the cd
rom, but still get the error message.

Ok. Thought of something else. I got an Ultimate Boot cd from a friend.
That is starting windows as we speak. What are my options from here???
 
doesn't make any sense it will boot with Ultimate CD and not your win cd!!!!

what cd were you trying to boot from????
 
When I boot from the cd (XP Pro) I only get the error message. F2 got me to
setup where I was able to change it to boot from the cd, but I only get the
error message with that. I agree it doesn't make sense.

Am I correct in assuming that the hal.dll file is on the XP Pro cd??? or
supposed to be???
 
The windows CD. You don't use the resource cd until windows is installed and
you are installing your drivers.
 
I have a question. Since I have removed XP Home and started installing XP
Pro which disk set do I create?
 
Okay, using the site Will Denny already gave you, use this link from the page:

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

It suggests you are installing a dual boot.(Possibly)
Also from your latest response to Dixonian69,......... (You wrote):
The windows CD. You don't use the resource cd until windows is installed and
Click to expand...
you are installing your drivers.
.....it sounds like you have an OEM (originally) installed WinME.
All these things need to be clarified.
Format before the new Install, if you just want one OS, and the XP Pro is
Retail rather than Upgrade.
 
what ever happen with the Ultimate boot cd?

jeem said:
Okay F2 got me to the setup. I changed the BIOS BOOT to start with the cd
rom, but still get the error message.

Ok. Thought of something else. I got an Ultimate Boot cd from a friend.
That is starting windows as we speak. What are my options from here???
Click to expand...
 
It is Dell installed. I understand(?) a dual boot is multiple OS? There are
two partitions - one quite small, the other large - never understood the
purpose of that, and my friends haven't either. I am PLANNING on just the
one OS. I believe past clean installs have created the smaller partition
when loading(?)

Dixonian69 has been helpful. I thought the site he sent me too was for the
setups which for some reason appear to be operating. They didn't before(?).
So far I am formatting the HD.

I will be back to let all of you know whether this all worked.
 
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