Windows XP Booting Problem

by summerian Jul 25, 2007 2:53PM PDT

Recently, I was going though my c:\ drive deleting files to free up more disc space. Later during the day, I rebooted the computer. It failed to boot up, saying that the file "hal.dll" needed to be reinstalled.
Foolish of me yes, but it seems as if I deleted a critical system file.

So, at the moment, I am stuck without windows and am writing the post from a knoppix boot cd. Any suggestions on how I could fix my computer?
Is there a way I can get my hands on this "hal.dll" file?
Thanks very much.

Discussion is locked

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I found this site to be of great help

by retired Jul 25, 2007 9:46PM PDT

As it has detailed instructions to get the system up and running again.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/a/missinghaldll.htm

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windows xp cd

by Dranzer06 Jul 25, 2007 11:19PM PDT

try to use the repair option when you boot from win xp cd

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WIndows XP CD?

by summerian Jul 26, 2007 4:19AM PDT

I'm sorry...but what is the Windows XP CD?
I don't think I have one.

Do you mean system restore option on boot menu?
Thanks very much.

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My computer came precongured with windows

by summerian Jul 26, 2007 5:08AM PDT

As far as I kow, I don't have a boot cd.

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System Restore

by summerian Jul 26, 2007 4:25AM PDT

I remember slightly before [meaning two weeks ago] getting the error message saying it need "hal.dll", I turned off system restore prior to removing what I thought was a virus [but turned out to not be]
Unfortunately, I can't recall whether or not I turned it back on.
What would happen say I didn't and at the boot menu, I selected "system restore"?
At system restore, does it let me pick which time I want to restore from, or does it do it automatically?

Thanks in advance

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Missing boot.ini

by summerian Jul 26, 2007 4:27AM PDT

Now I recall what I deleted what I shouldn't have.
I deleted boot.ini in the c:\ directory.
I guess the message "missing hal.dll" is due to this.
Is there a way to get back a copy of "boot.ini"?
Thanks.

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windows cd

by summerian Jul 26, 2007 6:05AM PDT

I just recalled that I DO have a cd with which to reinstall windows.
Is this the one you are referring to?
The one I can reinstall boot.ini from?
Thanks in advance.

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boot.ini

by dshipp28760 Jul 27, 2007 2:16PM PDT

An average boot.ini looks like this for XP pro (with a recovery drive)
you can use note pad to write one if you have a means to get it into the C:drive root directory.

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

OR for W2k like this

[boot loader]
timeout=9
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="MS W2k Pro C" /fastdetect

The line with the Multi in it is usually the line that becomes corrupt and when writing you may stop after that line. Try it with all (0) and if that doesn't work chandg the last zero to a 1 as shown in the two examples. Simply write the first three lines as shown in the win2k version. make sure the last item is the name of the directory that your windows resides. Most likely it is "Windows" but as seen above, not always.

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What about Windows Home addition?

by summerian Jul 28, 2007 12:16AM PDT

I have Windows Home Edition.
Does this mean the boot.ini would look like this?:

[boot loader]
timeout=9
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows Home Edition" /fastdetect

Thanks very much.
joe

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boot.ini

by dshipp28760 Jul 28, 2007 2:41AM PDT

I am inclined to think that windows home is in the directory windows not winnt, but I have no way of check at the moment. My vista is in windows and my xp Pro is in windows, other wise I would say that looks good

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partition

by dshipp28760 Jul 28, 2007 2:45AM PDT

Partition(1) might have to be changed to Partition(0) depending on your Hard drive configuration. Do a search on the restore CD you have and see if there is a back up Boot.ini on that. Any errors about missing Hal are actually usually caused by a defective boot.ini

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That's correct...

by John.Wilkinson Jul 28, 2007 5:06AM PDT

There seem to be two threads going on this issue by the same user. joe_nathan, if you would please choose just one thread to continue with so that questions/answers are not repeated. You can find my full response by clicking here.

John

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XP Home boot.ini.backup

by PudgyOne Jul 28, 2007 5:51AM PDT

looks like this in mine

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

and is found in the following folder

C:\WINDOWS\pss

Rick

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I FOUND THE ANSWER

by dshipp28760 Jul 28, 2007 10:44AM PDT

Go to this site and follow the directions. If you can make an A drive disk or burn a CD this should solve your problem Missing Hal or missing NTLDR Errors are usually both caused by the boot.ini file missing or corrupt.

http://www.tinyempire.com/shortnotes/files/ntldr_missing.htm

I think this guy has done some nice work here. You may find your computer boot slowly from this CD, but I tried it on a working computer and it looks like it will work.

by the way, re: PudgyOne, the working copy of boot.ini must be in the boot directory. Usually C:\

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