[ripslymemc]

Hey there, i am unable to start my computer because "<windows root>\system32\hal.dll" is missing, and it wants me to reinstall the file. I was downloading a new audio driver for my sound card (sigmatel), and when it told me to restart, an error message popped up. My peerguardian also crashed right before. How do I fix this? I am typing this on my ps3, but I have access to another computer. I do not wish to reboot, because I have a lot of files on there that I would not like to delete. Is there any way to fix this? Any help is appreciated.

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Many possible causes: http://pcsupport.abo...ssinghaldll.htm

[Broni]

Many possible causes: http://pcsupport.abo...ssinghaldll.htm

[ripslymemc]

I put in a compaq windows xp restore disc, (it works the same as any other restore disc) and it gave me an error screen, something about pci.sys. is there a way I can solve this without using an xp boot disk?

[Broni]

I'm afraid, you'll need Windows XP CD.
You may try to borrow one.

[ripslymemc]

oh, no...I used the officical dell recovery disk that came with my pc, and i got the same pci.sys error. is there any other way to fix this before I give this to computer repair?

[Broni]

I used the officical dell recovery disk

...and you did what with it?

[ripslymemc]

I booted it in an attempt to access windows recovery console....and then i got the same pci.sys error

actually, I've plugged my hdd into another almost identical computer, and im planning on copying the hal.dll from the normal computer to the other hard drive. the two drives showed up in my computer, but after a restart it doesn't show up any more. can you help me with that? how do i make my computer read both hard drives? Everything that is needed is plugged in, but it's not showing up...

[Broni]

Did you slave HD from bad computer in some good computer?
Make sure, your steps were correct: http://www.dtidata.c...ave-hard-drive/

[ripslymemc]

thanks,i plugged it in, but its not reading it...i tried going in set up and tried to activate the sata drives...but it still wouldn't work. i guess more restarts for me.

[Broni]

Go Start>Run, type in:
diskmgmt.msc
Click OK.
Is it listed there? If so, what's its status?

[ripslymemc]

everything's there except my affected hd.
it worked once, and it doesn't even show up now. there are 4 sata cable ports, with the unaffected drive as a master, and the affected one plugged right beneath it. it's not still reading. ARGH!!

Edited by ripslymemc, 23 April 2009 - 07:08 PM.

[Broni]

IF the drive is connected correctly, and it still doesn't show in Disk Management, unfortunately, it's most likely dead.

[ripslymemc]

finally, got everything working. turns out i activated the wrong drive in boot menu, (it was sata01, not sata02) and I put in the wrong cable (i connected to pc towers for the extra cables, things got messed up). i have replaced all hal.dll files from my c drive to my e drive, but it doesn't seem to be working...

what am i doing wrong?

EDIT: i just ran diskmgmt.msc and it said both drives were healthy

Edited by ripslymemc, 26 April 2009 - 02:31 AM.

[Broni]

Many possible causes: http://pcsupport.abo...ssinghaldll.htm

[ripslymemc]

okay, now that I've got two drives running on my comp, would running windows Windows XP System restore via command prompt affect both drives? and if i enter windows recovery console by a cd would that affect both drives too?