Windows XP error

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 19 Nov 2003 8:33 pm

I was on line on the forum, & my computer hung up, I tried to restart it but get the following error,

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows Root>\system32\hal:dll.
Please reinstall a copy of the above file.

What could have happened?? I have two hard drives, I have XP on one drive & Windows 98 on the other.. Initially when I tried to restart, both drives would not start, but I finally got 98 to start in safe mode & then it starts in regular mode..The error I had for Windows 98 was as follows::

Cannot start Windows because VMM32.VXD was not found or is d_

But 98 works now... Can anyone help me?? thanks

Bob Lawrence · Post by **Bob Lawrence** » 20 Nov 2003 5:13 am

It is usually caused by running a dual boot system. You could try a WindowsXP Repair with the WinXP CD to replace the file. Put in the WindowsXP CD and reboot. Make sure the CD Rom Drive is the First Boot Device then the Harddrive in your CMOS setup. (to boot from the CD) Another possibly is that it could be an incorrect BOOT.INI file (most likely). You can read more about it here.
http://www.freelists.org/archives/windows_errors/06-2003/msg00152.html

Unless you did something special and have two bootable drives, you would really have different versions of Windows on each drive but one bootable drive and a shared BOOT.INI file. I have a setup where I have two bootable drives that are totally independent. One with WindowsXP and one with Linux. If you are interested I can post my setup. If you haven't done so **** Always backup your important data first **** before you try anything. It may get worst.

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Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 20 Nov 2003 6:55 am

jolynyk,

In WinXP there is a utility called System File Checker (sfc). It basically scans your Hard Drive and makes sure all system files are there and ok, if they are missing or corrupt it will repopulate them.

Here is how to run it. With WinXP booted up and the WinXP CD in your computer. Go to the Start Menu and then choose RUN. A screen will pop up and type CMD.

Then you will be at a DOS prompt. At the DOS prompt type "SFC /SCANNOW" (without the quotes). SFC will scan for files and will take them from the CD is they are needed. That should solve your problem.

Let me know...

Thanks!
Mark

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Sho~Bud Pro I, Fender D-8 (C6&E13) http://www.darkmagneto.com

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 20 Nov 2003 10:33 am

Bob & Mark thanks for your relies.. I am in the south for the winter, & would you believe I left my Windows XP disk & Serial # at home.. So I can't do much until I get them mailed to me I guess.. but my friend did send me a copy of the Hal.dll file & told me to copy it into System32, & I tried to do that, but it tells me there is a Hal.dll file , do I want to replace it? So I looked in that folder & sure enough the file was there, so how could it be missing.?
I then renamed the existing Hal.dll file so I wouldn't lose it, & copied the one he sent into it, then tried to reboot, & still get the same message... So I guess I have to wait till my disk gets here ..Without it I can't seem to start Windows XP.. I've been running this dual boot since Windows XP first showed up with no problems.. I did however a couple of days ago sign up with (Wal-Mart's) wmconnect. would that have a bearing on it.. Thanks, & yes Bob I'd be interested in seeing your set-up.. John

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 25 Nov 2003 5:47 pm

OK, got my Windows XP disk... There supposedly is a Windows repair feature on it.. Now I can not boot up XP at all, but my Windows 98 is working. I put the disk in the CD rom drive & when I double click that drive I get a screen up with 3 options,
1...Install Windows XP
2...Perform Additional Tasks
3...Check System Compatibility
Can someone guide me from there, It also wants to default to C drive, but Windows XP that I want to repair is on D drive.
Thanks in advance... John

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 27 Nov 2003 7:55 am

Hello anybody out there can help??? And Happy thanksgiving day.......

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 29 Nov 2003 7:33 am

Boot up using win98.
Put your W2k CD in the CD tray.

Note:
Do NOT attempt to uninstall the W2k before you re-install from the CD again.

reinstall the W2K o/s.
This should take care of any missin' or defective system files.

I have done this for several people and haven't had a problem with it.

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 29 Nov 2003 9:49 am

Thanks Bill, it worked, you're a genius.. really appreciate your reply.. & have a great day.... John