lostchris08

Here is my issue:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Hal.dll

I used the suggested tutorial from Microsoft on how to fix it, however, when I reach the recovery console part. It brings up:

[1] I:\Windows
which is my iPod that obviously does not have Windows.

It should be:
[1] C:\Windows

I turned off my computer...unplugged my iPod and tried the Recovery console and it just went to my H:\ drive which is my external hard drive!

I then tried to just reinstall Windows on the C drive. I received this error along the lines of cannot gain access to the disk containing the partition or free space you chose. setup cannot install windows xp on the this hard disk windows xp

Please help! Thank you!

diroga

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findby...singhaldll.htm

__________________
How to be a h@(%er
1. turn off computer
2. read a book
3. ????
4. proffit

taylormsj

This happened to me once i think i repaired in recovery console

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lostchris08

I've seen this tutorial before, however, windows XP isn't on drive H which is what is indicated during my recovery console. I need it to change it to drive C. Is it possible to change the drive?

lostchris08

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
tells me how to change it, however, I get the error of "The parameter is not valid. Try /? for help."

tlarkin

I've posted this like a billion times, can a mod just make it sticky on how to fix many different windows XP issues?

This rebuilds everything that is required to start windows, from the boot.ini to the required .dll files that are also required for the system to run. The infamouse HAL.dll and NTLDR.dll errors can be fixed by doing this. Please note it is not a 100% guaranteed fix, if your OS is botched beyond repair then its botched beyond repair and there is nothing you can do but wipe and reload. Use this hint at your own risk, and you should have your data backed up that is your responsibility....

Okay, boot into recovery console off your windows XP CD. Choose your installation and log in as administrator, if you never set a password for the Administrator account, just hit enter since the password will be blank.

Type the following sets of commands

This changes the boot.ini from read only, system file, and hidden to a plain file, then we delete it.

next code
-it will ask you if you wish to rebuild, say yes to all
-name it whatever you want, like "Windows XP Professional"
-make sure to add the /noexecute=optin and /fastdetect options are flagged,
-if you mess this part up, it is easily fixed once you boot into windows, don't panic

next code
This scans the HD for file system errors and fixes them if possible, the /r option is needed for this, and it may take minute, be paitent

final step

rewrite the boot sector with everything we just did, this will fix and rebuild lots of system files when having boot problems. I can't begin to tell you how many machines I have fixed with this method with out having to reimage, even though reimaging would be the faster fix, this allows users who did not back up their data have a second chance at it.

If a Moderator would want to copy/paste this, plus clean it up a bit and make it sticky so I wouldn't have to post it anymore and maybe people could just refer to it as a how to repair from the recovery console.

lostchris08

awesome! this looks like my ticket out of here, however, even though my problem is in the C drive, the recovery console is under the H drive (my external hard drive). Therefore, typing those commands, I receive errors like the file cannot be opened and an error occurred during the directory enumeration.

tlarkin

when you first enter recovery console it asks you which windows installation you wish to modify. Choose your C drive then.

lostchris08

I think that's where my problem is. I only have my H drive available to choose from. It's weird. Windows isn't even installed on that drive!

I think the problem now lies in the fact I received this error when I tried to reinstall windows XP:
cannot gain access to the disk containing the partition or free space you chose. setup cannot install windows xp on the this hard disk windows xp

tlarkin

well it sounds like your system is hosed, do you even have enough drives to take up enough letters to reach H?

Recovery console scans all hard disks for installations, if its not picking up your installation you have either so much corruption its toast or a hardware issue.