Replace missing or corrupted .dll

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob Gilliland
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob Gilliland

I am running XP home OS. My computer shut down in the
middle of a restore operation. Now when I try to boot up,
I get this message. "Windows could not start because the
following file is missing or corrupt. <Windows
root>\system32\hal.dll". Is it possible that FIXBOOT will
repair that? I don't think so, but I need some feed back.
The restore option on the upgrade CD takes me to the
restore console option, but only allows to "type in exit
to start windows". I don't want to lose my files. I will
install another hard drive, install the OS and drag and
drop from the other as a slave drive if I have to. I have
over 60,000 important files on this drive. Any
suggestions?
 
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.
 
NOTE: in the instructions I posted for a Repair install, when it asks what
you wish to do, do not press "R" as that will take you to the Recovery
Console. Select the option to reinstall as that will ultimately give you
the option to do a repair install of XP.
 
I did come to the screen to 1) set up windows or 2)repair
the installation.
I have been choosing repair because I thought the set up
would take me right in to a new set up. Thanks for the
info, I will go back and try the other.
Bob G
 
You're welcome.

I figured as much, it confuses a lot of people.
 
John
I did as you said and here is what came up
When I typed in "bootcfg /list" I got the message There are currently no boot entries to display
I am assuming the whole boot list was wiped out
So I did ask for "bootcfg /rebuild
It said wait and finally reported the scan was successfu
I was then asked if I wanted to add installation to boot list - I chose Ye
Then I was asked to
Enter load identifier: What do I put there
Enter OS load options: What do I put there
I tried different things, but it comes up Failed to add the selected boot entry to boot lis
Bob
 
Bob,

In the Enter load identifier you need to enter the custom description for
the operating system loading from the boot menu, i.e., Microsoft Windows XP
Professional - assuming this is the name you use in the boot ini file.

In the Enter Operating System Load Options type /fastdetect

You might also like to visit the microsoft website and check out the
knowledge base article number 291980 - A discussion about Bootcfg Command
and its uses.
Http://support.microsoft.com Select Knowledge Base and then in the Search
box type the knowledge base article number.
 
Back
Top