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Windows could not start because the


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#1
sam292038

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1st I get Invalid BOOT.INI file. after a 1 min the get this Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: <windows root>\system32\hal.dll. Please help I need my computer.

Edited by sam292038, 02 January 2006 - 11:54 PM.

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#2
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You can either recover the registry (involved) or repair XP

You can use these to repair XP

XP Repair Install

Or here if you are unable to run XP Repair Install

Alternative XP Repair Install Method

Use Windows Installation CD to repair the current installation, from the list, which uses a slightly different method

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update


Recover the registry

http://support.micro...kb/307545/en-us
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#3
sam292038

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Here is the window I'm looking at from booting from the cd. Please don't tell me my hard drive is toasted and if so is there any way of getting my data off it.

Windows Xp Professional Setup
__________________________
__________________________


The following list shows the existing partitions and upartitioned space on this computer.

Use the UP and Down Arrow key to select an item in the list.

* To set up windows xp on the selected item, press enter.

* To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.

* To delete the selected partition, press D.



28616 MD disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]


-: Partition1 [FAT] 31 MB ( 29 MB free)
C: Partition2 [Unknown] 28577 MB ( 28576 MB free)
Unpartitioned space 8 MB





Enter= Install D=Delete Partition F3=Quit
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#4
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If that is the first thing you see

1. Press enter

2. See license agreement, press F8

3. Press R

If it is, or goes any differently, post back before proceeding
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#5
sam292038

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I do go through 1. Press enter 2. See license agreement, press F8, but when I get to the next step there is no R just this window


Windows Xp Professional Setup
__________________________
__________________________


The following list shows the existing partitions and upartitioned space on this computer.

Use the UP and Down Arrow key to select an item in the list.

* To set up windows xp on the selected item, press enter.

* To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.

* To delete the selected partition, press D.



28616 MD disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]


-: Partition1 [FAT] 31 MB ( 29 MB free)
C: Partition2 [Unknown] 28577 MB ( 28576 MB free)
Unpartitioned space 8 MB





Enter= Install D=Delete Partition F3=Quit
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#6
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Can you try the alternative XP repair
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#7
sam292038

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My computer will not boot up in safe mode by hitting F8. Call me a twit but I don't have an Windows Automated System Recovery Disk.

Edited by Keith, 03 January 2006 - 11:37 AM.

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#8
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Try tapping F5
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#9
sam292038

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F5 won't work.
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#10
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If you are using the alternative repair, you need to set the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 to save, press enter, type Y then press enter and it will reboot. You do not need safe mode. The alternative XP Repair is the Windows installation CD to repair the current installation, at the bottom

Windows Installation CD - Repair Current Installation: The process begins by booting the system with the XP installation CD. The CD drive must be set as the initial boot device in the computer BIOS. There are a number of different ways to access the BIOS, but pressing Delete on the initial boot screen is one of the most common methods. Watch the boot screen and it normally displays a message with the appropriate key sequence to grant BIOS access.

The boot sequence will continue. Again, watch the screen for a message to appear that the system is looking for a bootable CD ROM. Watch the monitor for the message that the CD has been auto-detected, followed by the “Press any key to boot CD” message. Don’t fall for the old joke about looking for the “Any” key and just hit the spacebar or any other key that’s convenient within the five second time span the message will be displayed. The screen shown in Figure 01 will appear while Windows inspects the hardware configuration

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#11
sam292038

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I have a black screen that has the following

Microsoft Windows Xp ™ Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.

Type Exit to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

C:\> "with a blinking cursor"
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#12
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Can you click the alternative repair and got to the windows CD to repair the current installation, start that and post back the point where it differs

Have you changed the boot order so that it boots from the XP CD
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#13
sam292038

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Yes I have change the boot order so it boots from the cd.

1st I get: press and key to boot from cd ( I do)

Then I get: Seup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration...

After that is : Windows Xp Professional Setup
_________________________
_________________________

Welcome to Setup.

This portion of the setup program prepares Mircosoft ®
Windows ® XP to run on your computer.


* To set up Windows XP now, press Enter.

* To repair a Window XP installation using
Recovery Console, press R.

* To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

ENTER=Continue R=Repair F3=Quit


I hit ENTER


Windows Xp Licensing Agreement comes up I press F8 agree


This is were it DIFFERS this is what I get.

Windows Xp Professional Setup
__________________________
__________________________


The following list shows the existing partitions and upartitioned space on this computer.

Use the UP and Down Arrow key to select an item in the list.

* To set up windows xp on the selected item, press enter.

* To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.

* To delete the selected partition, press D.



28616 MD disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]


-: Partition1 [FAT] 31 MB ( 29 MB free)
C: Partition2 [Unknown] 28577 MB ( 28576 MB free)
Unpartitioned space 8 MB





Enter= Install D=Delete Partition F3=Quit
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#14
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Is the hard drive 30GB in total
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#15
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Could you run through this

http://support.micro...kb;en-us;330184

If you need a recovery console, please download one here

http://www.thecomput...edic.com/rc.iso
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