Can't boot into XP -missing file

[Donald]

Hi From Texas!

I was messing with the computer which has 4 drives with ME on drive C: and XP on F:---- now wheer I go todrive F: XP a black screen that says -
windows could not start because the following is missing or corrupt------------------------------- \system32\hal.dll.

If it comes down to it, I will have to learn to re-install XP Home Full Version. I DON'T want to format and lose ALL my 6 gigs of information.I want to re-install keeping that is all on that drive.-
I have my HP recovery disks for ME that came with the computer. I have re-installed ME many times.It makes it SO EASY for me to do. It is simpley says "do you want to do a re-install format,-or, re-install keeping all your information.-----I sure hope XP Full Verison makes it that easy if it comes down to having to re-install XP---------------Don

PS: How do i get that missing file, and if I do can I boot into ME to do it since XP want boot to put the file in \system32\hal.dll.

it will be late friday before I am back at computer to see any replys -it is 5 AM !, got to go to bed to tired to do spell check

[casual01]

You need to boot from your XP cd, then take the option to install XP. Then it will look for current versions already installed. Then you should get the option to do a repair on it, which will reinstall XP ontop of itself, leaving everything intact, just replacing system files.

But I came across the same problem you have. But when I go to do a repair, there is no repair option. It wants to install a fresh copy and that will leave me with two copies installed. I don't want that. Can someone explain why sometimes you don't get the repair option and what I can do about it????

Good luck and I hope you get the repair option.

[liambl]

I your CD is OEM, not the generic Windows CD, the repair option is usually disabled by the manufactuter for some reason.

[Negeva]

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

[Donald]

Hi!
liambl
casual01
Negeva
It is 3:00 AM Sat. I am trying some easy first steps. I haven't put in the XP CD yet. Mainly, I am investigation to see how I did all of this to myself. I WILL try ALL suggestions ya'all have said. I can use ME to do all the computer stuff I need to do. Me is the default on the HP computer we bought 6 years ago.Trying to see what happened to XP on drive G: will be done when I have extra time.---here is what I did to mess myself up.---The Story: I installed XP 4 years ago and used it along with ME. I decided a few years ago just to use ME because of my elderly Dad wanted to stay using ME, thus I quit using XP and left it there in drive G:----- O!, I forgot, I have Partition Magic that I used in those years back and I mad Drives E: F: G:---drive C: is the ME H.Packard Pavilion------ A: is floppy and M: is CD.----------About 3 weeks ago I started using XP again. Two days ago, it said in XP I needed more space to install Service Pack 2. I just couldn't get Partition Magic to work right. All of my 20 Gigs,after 6 years has used up to 17 gigs of space.---So, I went into Windows ME and used Windows to format drive F: for its space.. I watched as windows did this (not PMag).------ THAT is when I rebooted and went to XP drive and it WASN'T there and told me(on an all that black screen) that a file was missing or corrupt.At that point I posted to PC Mechanic my problem.-----I am very afraid I have lost 5 years I have saved on drive G: , EVEN though it was drive F: that I formatted using Windows ME.It messed up I guess and formatted G: also.----------I guess I am cooked. I went to Partition Magic and saw the changes. I could not find " UN DO" last operation.I guess it wouldn't since I formatted in windows ME. So I have a lot of things to think about along with the replies in I get from you in PC forum.--------------It will take many days to see what my fate is after trying different things. Note: I will be using ME 80% of the time since I have so much to do on the Net.-----------------Check back from time to time to see on how I am doing I WILL let you know what the FINAL out come was.

PS: I am tired and some oft the spelling I missed

[bozo]

Did you delete the F: drive when you formatted? If so, then your former G: drive would slide to F:

You can check your drives using ME's "My Computer"...take note of what drives it shows and the disk space to see if you have the drive your data WAS on.

Also, you said you had XP on F: drive...if you formatted F: then you lost XP all together, and you need to re-install XP.

BTW: is there a D: drive???

Edit: In you first post you said XP was on F:, I see in your 2nd post that you had XP on G: