help me please

[netzebra]

Hello guys.

I was re-formatting my laptop hardrive...
Put windows XP CD inside, rebooted from CD, but go to a place dont really know what happened all stopped and this is the message on my screen now.

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
< Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

when tried to insert the same CD again for windows to extract the file...nothing is hapenning.
what can I do? help please.

[METAL13]

Wasn't to sure but can u try reformatting again or reinstalling the windows over the current directory otherwise maybe getting Linux ubuntu CD (free) and booting off that to fix the issue PCM has a post about it somewhere otherwise this link may be able to help you...
(this is normally for recovery but maybe you might be able to write the correct file you need?)

Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/)
Ubuntu Download Center (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download)

Any one else have any ideas do post them up, ide be interested to hear this! :D

[netzebra]

thank you for your help...
but I tried to re-format the hard drive again, but want read the CD ( windows CD) the a bove message still there not budging/ moving.
Linux well I dont know that going to help...not realy comfortable with Linux.

Any one else with idea please?

[pally01]

Read this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320252

[netzebra]

Thaks I will try that.
but I was reformating windows XP on a windows XP machine/ laptop.
any way I will try that then report back
thanks

[shadowpr]

Read this thread: http://www.pcmech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193966&highlight=missing+hal

[netzebra]

Hello guys,

well after receiving different supports from here...read what other posted...I managed to reformat the harddrive without getting into finding the missing file. I rebooted from XP CD and all went fine. I formated drive C.
now during the formatting process I found an other partition which i did not want to touch or delete. after I have finished the installation of windows XP... I ended up now with two windows XP on my laptop...what shall I do, delete the other partition or what? because I dont want to keep both.

thanks

[pam123]

You need to tell us what make/model laptop you've got and you need to tell us why you didn't use the restore partition.
Until you're sure what you're looking at leave the other partition alone.

Where did you get the drivers for the new install of XP?
What size is the other partition?