Error messages and such "fun" things!

by iwmpop Jul 10, 2007 5:26PM PDT

Hello boys & girls, Guys and Gals, I hope somebody out there can help me! I have an IBM Pentium II (older model) PC, running the OS "Win XP Pro SP 2", which (up till now) I've been able to use to burn CDRoms (my other PC i.e. The one I'm using right now doesn't have a burner!)with importand details, and to transfer from one PC to another, particularly music and Photos.
NOW - it seems all that is over, at least until YOU help me!
When I started up my IBM, I got a message about "missing file" - then all went black!
I put in the installation disc, hoping to be able to push the "repair" button, but all I got was the following message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt <Windows root>/system32/hal.dll. Please re-install a copy of this file."
OK, but how? Where would I get such a copy, is it on the Inst Disc, and PARTICULARLY - how can I install this file (when I can't get the system to open or can't even reinstall the OS from the Installation disc)
IMPORTANT!! If you can help me, please remember that I am a relative newbie (ok, I've learnt a bit over the last few years, but even so) and I UNDERSTAND NOTHING ABOUT "BIOS" and things like that, so - if possible a sort of a "one step after the other" advice plan would be GREAT!
Hope I'll find someone out there...................!
(iwmpop)

Discussion is locked

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iwmpop

by tomron Jul 10, 2007 5:38PM PDT

This LINK offers several options,including "Run Windows XP System Restore from a command prompt"

Tom

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Reply to Tomron!

by iwmpop Jul 14, 2007 6:20PM PDT

Thanks for the link tip, and I'm happy to have it, I think it could be very helpful in the future! It hasn't helped me in this problem though!
I tried all the suggestions, and came out at the end with the same result every time, whether I used the F8 key, tried to make a floppy boot disc, or whatever! I got into the window to choose between "Safe mode"- "last good configuration" etc but on pushing "enter" - there I was, back to the error message!Incidentally, they say "start up PC and wait for command prompt" - I don't get a command prompt, the thing goes immediately to the error message unless I push F8 - when it does as above! I thought it may have to do with the BIOS settings, since my grandson got into it and had maybe played around, so I reset everything in the BIOS to "default" - would this have had anything to do with it?
Strangely enough, your message was the only reply on CNets forum - very surprising - normally (in the past) I've had loads of replies and suggestions to my questions!
Thanks anyway, and any further ideas you may have will be welcome and I'l study and investigate them!

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by tomron Jul 14, 2007 6:36PM PDT

I'm not sure what to tell you.I googled file is missing or corrupt <Windows root>/system32/hal.dll and has many hits with people that have the same issue.

Maybe someone else will chime in.

Tom

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Another bit of info!

by iwmpop Jul 14, 2007 8:03PM PDT

Whooppee!
I finally got there! It took me 3 days, but I finally found a site on the net which enable me to make a copy (free of charge!) of a 6 floppy disc series to re-install/reeboot Win XP!
Having done what they said, I pressed reinstall XP and it loaded all the files (presumably the missing/corrupt ones as well)and STARTED!!!!
Cheers all round! Now I'm waiting for the installation to be completed, but there is no reason it shouldn't! Looks like my BIOS settings were OK, or the fact of resetting to default levels did the trick!
If you have any links to sites, or tips on understanding the BIOS system, and what happens when one resets to default, I'd love to have them!
Thanks again!
(iwmpop)

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(NT) Glad you got it solved

by tomron Jul 14, 2007 8:09PM PDT

Error messages and such "fun" things!

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