Got the cd built and was able to transfer files to another computer.....phew!! I noticed when looking at the folders in the errant computer, there was no Windows folder. Somehow it got renamed to something else, which I would've thought was impossible? The folder contents looked normal, so I renamed it Windows, thinking maybe that was the root of the computer's problems. But when I tried to boot normally, instead of the hanging and bsod I got before, now I get the "hal.dll file missing or corrupt" message.
I tried to fix it through recovery console, but get an access denied message. Did notice on boot up from XP cd that it didn't ask me for installation number or password which doesn't seem normal.
I'd like to try and fix this before a complete reinstall and have read a number of different suggestions -repair boot ini, replace hal.dll, etc. After going through this process, I tend to trust the opinions here more than just random google results, so what is the recommended fix for this problem?
(Dell Inspiron 1150/WXPSP2/ubcd4win built 3/18-no plug ins)
Full Version: hal.dll missing or corrupt
Suggestion:
maybe you could give us some specific info on the system you are trying to fix?
why the initial rescue?
maybe you could give us some specific info on the system you are trying to fix?
why the initial rescue?
If what you are describing did happen and the windows folder get renamed I would simply take the data off and format and reinstall. The time you will probably waste trying to find a solution to this you'd have already installed and patched a clean install and be up and running.
However if you wanted a try a quick fix you could try doing a repair install, although as that takes about the same time as a full install anyway I'd just go for a full install.
However if you wanted a try a quick fix you could try doing a repair install, although as that takes about the same time as a full install anyway I'd just go for a full install.
QUOTE (stidyup @ Mar 21 2008, 12:44 PM) 
If what you are describing did happen and the windows folder get renamed I would simply take the data off and format and reinstall. The time you will probably waste trying to find a solution to this you'd have already installed and patched a clean install and be up and running.
However if you wanted a try a quick fix you could try doing a repair install, although as that takes about the same time as a full install anyway I'd just go for a full install.
However if you wanted a try a quick fix you could try doing a repair install, although as that takes about the same time as a full install anyway I'd just go for a full install.
I tried a repair install but it passes straight to the "where do you want to install W" option so I'm guessing it's not seeing the previous installation. The installation is definitely there when I look at the file structure. Is there a ubcd4win utility that will do a system restore-read all the docs but can't find it.
As I said in my last post, remove the data you need format and reinstall.
RegResWiz 1.0.0.4 Wizard that restores the registry to previous saved states
This isn't a full system restore as it will only fix the registry nothing else.
However I would simply do a clean install.
RegResWiz 1.0.0.4 Wizard that restores the registry to previous saved states
This isn't a full system restore as it will only fix the registry nothing else.
However I would simply do a clean install.
useful info:
Dell Inspiron 1150
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topic...toggle=&dl=
================================
Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center
1 Turn on the computer.
2 When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.
3 In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.
4 When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.
The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.
When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.
5 Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=========================================================================
Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista
1 Turn on the computer.
2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.
Note:
You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.
3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=================
Regards Ben
Dell Inspiron 1150
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topic...toggle=&dl=
================================
Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center
1 Turn on the computer.
2 When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.
3 In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.
4 When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.
The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.
When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.
5 Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=========================================================================
Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista
1 Turn on the computer.
2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.
Note:
You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.
3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=================
Regards Ben
QUOTE (ben_mott @ Mar 23 2008, 04:30 AM)
useful info:
Dell Inspiron 1150
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topic...toggle=&dl=
================================
Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center
1 Turn on the computer.
2 When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.
3 In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.
4 When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.
The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.
When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.
5 Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=========================================================================
Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista
1 Turn on the computer.
2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.
Note:
You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.
3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=================
Regards Ben
Dell Inspiron 1150
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topic...toggle=&dl=
================================
Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center
1 Turn on the computer.
2 When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.
3 In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.
4 When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.
The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.
When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.
5 Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=========================================================================
Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista
1 Turn on the computer.
2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.
Note:
You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.
3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
=================
Regards Ben
Ben
Thanks for the tip, but I don't think my Dell has that capability. Time to wipe/reinstall, I'm afraid.
The few times i've seen this problem the boot.ini file has always been screwed up or unreadable. I'd try repairing/creating a new one first.
Cheers
Cheers
Try this article to sort out your problem with out re-installing. http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xp
QUOTE (thomasjk @ Mar 24 2008, 06:48 PM)
Try this article to sort out your problem with out re-installing. http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xp
Thankyou-but I already came across that article and the fix along with about 60 others didn't work. The problem seems to be the recovery console doesn't even recognize the installed os anymore, so I'm resigned to the fact that this is a bad hard drive.
QUOTE
Thankyou-but I already came across that article and the fix along with about 60 others didn't work. The problem seems to be the recovery console doesn't even recognize the installed os anymore, so I'm resigned to the fact that this is a bad hard drive.
No, it's not a bad hard drive. Missing or corrupted hal.dll indicates the boot sector of your windows installation got corrupted along the way ...when you "Got the cd built and was able to transfer files to another computer.....phew!! "
If the problem cannot be fixed thru the boot.ini file, it's time to make a new install. It would be better to check your drive partitions as well.
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