G
Guest
A few days ago my pc would not startup. I got the message windows could not start. Because the following file is missing or corrupt.<windows root>\system32\hal.dll. So I had to reinstall windows xp home edition. I had most of my files backed up on cd. So I wasn't to angry. But there were a few files I hadn't backed up. And in an effort to save them. During the installation process. I chose not to reformat the drive and changed the named of the install folder from the standard Windows. To Windows2. In doing this I ended up saving all the files I had wanted except for the ones in the my documents and shared documents folders.
So now I have 2 windows folders. The Windows folder, the one that failed and would not startup. And the Windows2 folder. Which is the new installation of xp. The cd I used to install xp. Did not come with my pc. My pc came with xp home edition already installed, But it didn't come with a recovery or install cd. But I bought an xp home edition cd for my labtop a while back. Which I used to reinstall xp. So I was wondering how should I go about deleting the Windows folder that is no good?
My biggest concern is that since the install cd I used isn't the one that was made for my pc. And by deleting the folder. Maybe my pc wouldn't work right. Because the new cd wouldn't have all the drivers or other files for the hardware that came already installed on my pc.
I really don't no a lot about this area. So I'm afraid to just start deleting things. I had thought about just copying the windows folder and then paste it to the new windows2. But my only concern about that is. I know some files may be the same. And if I get the message this file already exist. Do you want to replace it with this one? What should I do? And what if it's the same name but a different size. Should I click yes or no to replace it?
Also I tried to use the xp cd's recovery console before I reinstalled xp. But it keep asking for the administrative password. I never put a password on my pc. But I tried every password I have ever used. But none would work. So I finally gave up and reinstalled xp. Does anyone know why it asked for a password when I never set one
If anyone know's of a safe way to go about this I would appreciate the help.
So now I have 2 windows folders. The Windows folder, the one that failed and would not startup. And the Windows2 folder. Which is the new installation of xp. The cd I used to install xp. Did not come with my pc. My pc came with xp home edition already installed, But it didn't come with a recovery or install cd. But I bought an xp home edition cd for my labtop a while back. Which I used to reinstall xp. So I was wondering how should I go about deleting the Windows folder that is no good?
My biggest concern is that since the install cd I used isn't the one that was made for my pc. And by deleting the folder. Maybe my pc wouldn't work right. Because the new cd wouldn't have all the drivers or other files for the hardware that came already installed on my pc.
I really don't no a lot about this area. So I'm afraid to just start deleting things. I had thought about just copying the windows folder and then paste it to the new windows2. But my only concern about that is. I know some files may be the same. And if I get the message this file already exist. Do you want to replace it with this one? What should I do? And what if it's the same name but a different size. Should I click yes or no to replace it?
Also I tried to use the xp cd's recovery console before I reinstalled xp. But it keep asking for the administrative password. I never put a password on my pc. But I tried every password I have ever used. But none would work. So I finally gave up and reinstalled xp. Does anyone know why it asked for a password when I never set one
If anyone know's of a safe way to go about this I would appreciate the help.