Windows boot error: Missing file

[lee551]

when i start up the computer it says "invalid boot.ini file, booting from c:\windows\"

then it comes to, and stops at:

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.

what is the easiest way to fix this?

[S!X]

sfc/scannow in run

[lee551]

sfc/scannow in run

wouldn't i need to be *in* windows to do that?

[S!X]

Yea, you cant get into windows?

[lee551]

Yea, you cant get into windows?

nope, like i said up there, it stops at that message, then restarts after any key.

[Vargas]

Go to http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm and read the information. You do NOT have to re-install your operating system if you receive this error. This error maybe cause by a dual boot.ini in your operating system, invalid Runtime Files or a conflict with the OEM version of Windows.
source: http://www.im-l.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=76

EDIT: if you don't have a recover disc, or WindowsXP CD you can boot to DOS by formating a system floppy on your working PC and boot up the broken PC with it, to edit your boot.ini

[lee551]

thanks for the site vargas, but at the end it seems that the only solution that works was installing a second hdd etc. and thats not really viable right now.

i do have bootable discs and the windows xp cd. i got into the system recover business and i managed to find hal.dl_ in the i386 directory. i tried copying it to c:\windows\system32 and it did it, but it still says the file is corrupt or missing.


edit: i found this site: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000490.htm

and it seems i know shit about dos or how to copy files, because this is the command that would re-install the right hal.dll file, "expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll"

lets see if that works.

[Vargas]

did you check your boot.ini for errors?

[lee551]

did you check your boot.ini for errors?

i'm not really familiar with what is right/wrong in a boot.ini file...

i can re-type it for you to look at....

edit: i got to the boot.ini file and its gotta be mest. its all jibberish and random characters.

edit2: right now this looks like a viable fix: http://www.compphix.com/corrupthal.html

# Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD.
# At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
# Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
# Typically this will be #1
# Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file
# Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair it
# Take out the CD ROM and type exit

[Vargas]

that sounds like what you need to try:
bootcfg /rebuild
(i never had this problem myself)