computer help - windows missing files

[vh-holden]

my sisters laptop won't start windows. it says that

<windows root>\system32\hal.dll.

is missing or corrupted and to reinstall it.

how do i do that without losing everything else?

[fitzy2005]

put in the windows xp cd, boot form it, press R when at options (recovery console) then select your windows operating system, then type FIXBOOT and enter, then reboot

[sixshooter]

[VS Omega]

Which version of windows?

[vh-holden]

windows xp

i just did the fixboot, and it asked if i want to write a new bootsecotr to the partition c:

do i want to do that, or will i lose all my sisters stuff(and mine)

[vh-holden]

did the fixboot and nothing

tried to expand the hal.dl_ from the cd to the windows folder but access is denied

[DavidPartay]

If your Windows XP CD allows you to do a repair of Windows (Not via recovery console - this option should be available under Install Windows) then you won't lose anything. What it'll do is it'll just copy all the Windows files back over, but you will probably need to reinstall service packs again. If it's asking you to re-partition or format the hard drive, stop right there and go back!! haha.

But try getting hal.dll off another Windows XP (same service pack level) and copying it over.

[sixshooter]

[sixshooter]

If your Windows XP CD allows you to do a repair of Windows (Not via recovery console - this option should be available under Install Windows) then you won't lose anything. What it'll do is it'll just copy all the Windows files back over, but you will probably need to reinstall service packs again. If it's asking you to re-partition or format the hard drive, stop right there and go back!! haha.

But try getting hal.dll off another Windows XP (same service pack level) and copying it over.

Good point Don !!!...an overlay install willl fix it...the only prob is I think you'll loose all the installed programs aswell as the service packs...It'll be like swiss cheese windows again...LOL

[DavidPartay]

Yeah, it's been ages since I've done a Windows repair that way because at work we usually just re-image the computers quicker than doing a repair or reinstall and we don't have to reinstall any programs. Reinstalling all programs would make sense because the repair modifies the registry... Duh

[sixshooter]

Some more help here::

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

and

http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?hal

[sixshooter]

[vh-holden]

i just rang a computer repair place that does all the service work on compaq laptops in darwin. he said that a reinstall is the only way.

i then asked if i could just put the HDD in a caddy and copy the stuff off it. He said no, but then i said that i do have a working computer that i can plug it into. He said that will work

now, how do i get the HDD out. Here is a picture

[DavidPartay]

I think you just slide it to the left (facing the picture) and then lift out, but it's hard to tell without seeing it. All laptops are different .

It is a good idea to backup all your stuff before doing a reinstall/repair, etc. Don't format the drive when you do, just see if you can do a repair first.

[vh-holden]

ok, the hdd is now in an external drive attached to my pc.

the whole system32 folder is missing.

looks like i'll just have to copy all the documents over to my computer and start from scratch on the laptop

[DavidPartay]

Just check to make sure it's not in the recycle bin first . A long shot, I know, but you never know!!

But then it might not be just the system32 folder missing. Make sure you do back everything up.

I'd say for the sake of making sure it's not a hard drive problem (physically) copy as much of the stuff as you can onto the computer and then when you reinstall windows format the drive (FULL) as well. The format will pick up if there's any problems and the installer will squeal about it. Or, you could just do a disk check from your computer on that drive... one of the two .

[sixshooter]

Zero fill the drive before reinstalling to make sure that whatever virus is on the disk is wiped out completely !

there's a free program called diskwizard from seagate... burn it to cd then set the laptop to boot from cd first and run it... it works for other drives aswell.

http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/drivers/discwiz.html

[vh-holden]

too late!!

just set it going on the format and reinstall. going for the full format.

thanks guys!