registry prob.

[jonnysos11]

i just got a computer that has a problem whene i boot it up it runs memoory test boots drives goes to bios but it will stop at an error message that says windows will not start because of \system32\hal.dll. how can i find out which verson of windows is on the comp. and/or how can i get past this message. also would www.bootdisk.com have anything that would help me out

[Igor Karasik]

hal.dll exist in windows 2000 and windows xp.
Default installation directory of windows 2000 - c:\winnt, windows xp - c:\windows
(of course default installation directory maybe changed...)
Let assume you have windows XP,
See
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/missinghal_dll.htm

[jonnysos11]

there is no way that i can just repair the registry without reinstalling the os

[Igor Karasik]

If you know what you want to change in registry (and problem is that typically you don't know):
You can install additional windows installation on another logical drive on this computer and load "broken" windows registry hive from regedit in "new" windows installation.
You can also use some tools (AFAIK no freeware tools exist) instead of second OS installation. The example of such tool is ERD commander
http://www.winternals.com/Products/AdministratorsPak/#erdcommander2005

[Matthijs Wijers_1]

Anything changed in the hardware? Added or remove harddisks? Could be the boot.ini points to a wrong partition.
Is the exact error message:
Invalid Boot.ini
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
Windows\System32\Hal.dll

To resolve this issue, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer.

2. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.

3. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.

4. When you receive the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to start the Recovery Console.

5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console.

6. When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.

7. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen.

8. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the results. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. For example, follow these steps to add a Windows XP installation to the Boot.ini file:

a. When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press Y:
Total Identified Windows Installs: 1
[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)
b. You receive a message that is similar to the following message:
Enter Load Identifier
This is the name of the operating system. When you receive this message, type the name of your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
c. You receive a message that is similar to the following:
Enter OS Load options
When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER.

Note The instructions that appear on your screen may be different, depending on the configuration of your computer.

9. Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the "Please select the operating system to start" message.

For more information see MSKB330184.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330184

Regards,
Matthijs

[Rainald T]

Anything new, Jonny?

Pls assign points and close the therad if this is done (as you opened a new one
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1012744

Rainald

[Rich S · Accepted solution]

When it is a HAL.dll problem it usually tells you it is either missing or corrupt. It also tells you to repalce it.

You can get a copy off any XP and see if it will buy into it. The HAL.dll would have been updated if you loaded SP2 but other than that it stays with the date of installation or if an update to the logon system has changed.

info on HAL:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000490.htm


Rich

Say thanks with HP POINTS

[jonnysos11]

thanks for the input