hal.dll file missing or corrupt--fix WITHOUT a Windows install CD?

[Mark]

I'm getting a missing/corrupt hal.dll error on my desktop, and thus cannot start Windows. I've Google'd for answers, and the only solution I can find involves the original XP install disk.

My XP disks are loooong gone. Is there any possible way of restoring this file that doesn't involve that disk? I don't want to have to buy another fucking OS and reformat my entire HD. I have a lot of stuff on there that hasn't been backed up.

[Bitter]

if you can get the file on a floppy i dont see why you couldnt stick it back where it should be after deleting the corrupt one. from experience i've had this once or twice before and when i did it was due to bad ram or poorly seated ram.

DLL-files.com - hal.dll, free download

when i've fixed this i've always had my XP cdrom, infact i keep it INSIDE of my linux box since its soo empty in there

[Mark]

you are talking to a computer moron, holmes The only way I know how to get a file on my computer from an external is click-and-drag How would I delete the corrupt file and add this one? I can get to the Options screen where it asks to start in Safe Mode, but that's it. And no, I can't start in Safe Mode or any other option because it gives me the same error.

Plus, even if I AM able to do all that, is there any risk of loosing my data? I haven't backed up in almost 2 months and I have some extremely important files that I don't want to lose

[Bitter]

boot to command prompt, then

C:\>COPY(space)A:\HAL.DLL(space)C:\Windows\System32\ha l.dll

i think that should get you rolling, possible that the next error you'll get it something about the boot.ini

run the command BOOTCFG /Rebuild to repair that if needed. its been a while and i've never done this without the CDROM and recovery console. i assume you'll be able to do this from just command prompt however.

[Mark]

is there a way for me to back up the C drive to an external using only the command prompts? Or should I even worry about it?

[Bitter]

nah, i doubt you'll fuckup. when ive fixed this in the past i didnt loose any data.

[FLiPMaRC]

Bitter ... does he need to do a regsvr32 ? Or is that for new unregistered files?

[Jeremy]

1. Go to "run" in the start menu, type in "cmd"
2. Type "ipconfig /all"
3. Go back into Windows, Control Panel, Administrative Tasks
4. Check the partition size of your swap file
5. Then buy a fucking Mac, you hoser.

[Mark]

start menu? I can't get windows to start at all.

[Doric]

Mark, he was being totally facetious.

[Bitter]

Originally Posted by FLiPMaRC

Bitter ... does he need to do a regsvr32 ? Or is that for new unregistered files?

i never had to do that. only once of the 3 times i've done this was the hal.dll actually damaged. the other 2 times i just rebuilt the boot.ini and all was well with the world. i dont know if, without recovery console you'll have the privileges needed to run the commands or access the windows folder.

try running the bootcfg /rebuild and then if that fails go from there, the MS KB article is very helpful on this topic as its not too uncommon.
Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because of a Computer Disk Hardware Configuration Problem

[Jeremy]

Originally Posted by Doric

Mark, he was being totally facetious.

*nod*

[Mark]

I think I am just going to rebuild my computer actually, and hook up the current HD as a slave drive to pull the data off of it.

Originally Posted by Doric

Mark, he was being totally facetious.

I will stab you. In the face. With my dick.

[Doric]

Hey - don't threaten me with a good time.

[James]

Hopefully, im not too late

Hmm I would suggest dling that hal.dll file from above.

Then see if you can make a boot disk from another computer. My computer> right click on the a: drive> Format disk. There is an option to make a system disk. Let it create the system disk. Then throw the Hal.dll on that disk as well.

Pop the disk in the computer. Let it boot to the disk which should land you at a c: prompt or a:. If in the latter case.. Type "c:". Which will take you to the c:\>

From there type this
"Copy a:\hal.dll c:\windows\system32\"

Let it do its thing. Then after its finished. Reboot the computer and it should come back up. Now, to be honest i have had that happen a few times to me. And a lot of the time that doesn't solve the problem. Then sometimes it will solve it and boot up fine. But then have issues down the road. So my advise, try it hopefully it will work. If it does, i would suggest backing up what files you want and reinstall.

[Mark]

I don't really have the time right now to be trying different things, so I just said fuck it and bought a new setup (AMD Athlon 64 x2 5600 dual core, 4GB DDR, 500GB/7200 sata). I DO however need to get the files off that computer (which I have so far had problems with), so I will still try to fix the problem in my off time with your method.

I took both drives out and used a IDE-to-USB cord (same job as a drive enclosure, just no enclosure part ) to get the data off of them; the slave drive was no problem, I was able to pull all of my files off of that without issue. What was the master drive though is causing problems. I can get my computer to recognize that the drive is plugged in and present, but I can't access it for shit! I don't know what to do about that I'm sure that the same reason the computer wouldn't boot up is the same reason I can't accessing the drive, but shit. I need the data on that drive, dammit.

[wdlssm]

Originally Posted by Mark

I just said fuck it and bought a new setup (AMD Athlon 64 x2 5600 dual core, 4GB DDR, 500GB/7200 sata).

Sorry to hear about your laptop.

But ... holy crap where'd you find such an awesome computer/laptop?

[Mark]

Originally Posted by wdlssm

Sorry to hear about your laptop.

But ... holy crap where'd you find such an awesome computer/laptop?

oh, what failed was my desktop...my laptop is still great My laptop is a HPdv9205us, 17" widescreen, 1GB of ram, 120GB HD, dual 1.6 AMD 64, NVIDIA 6150...not the king of laptops, but for $800 it's fantastic

The desktop I had was a good 3-4 years old so I needed to do some upgrades to it anyway, but yeah, the new setup is a desktop, not a laptop

[roary]

Originally Posted by Mark

I don't really have the time right now to be trying different things, so I just said fuck it and bought a new setup (AMD Athlon 64 x2 5600 dual core, 4GB DDR, 500GB/7200 sata).

I just went from a 3800+ to a 6000+ with a total of 750gb/7200 sata2. How do you like the 5600? I need to get another 2gb of ram though.

On the other topic, try to freeze the drive before you access it. Also, I'm not sure if you are running XP or Vista on your new desktop, but which one (laptop or desktop) are you trying to use to access the drive? I had issues accessing an old drive with Vista. But as soon as I hooked it up to an XP machine I had no problems.

Also, one other thing you can try, is to try a couple of hd recovery programs. I won't list them here, but they have been mentioned extensively throughout the IT forum.

[James]

Originally Posted by Mark

I don't really have the time right now to be trying different things, so I just said fuck it and bought a new setup (AMD Athlon 64 x2 5600 dual core, 4GB DDR, 500GB/7200 sata). I DO however need to get the files off that computer (which I have so far had problems with), so I will still try to fix the problem in my off time with your method.

I took both drives out and used a IDE-to-USB cord (same job as a drive enclosure, just no enclosure part ) to get the data off of them; the slave drive was no problem, I was able to pull all of my files off of that without issue. What was the master drive though is causing problems. I can get my computer to recognize that the drive is plugged in and present, but I can't access it for shit! I don't know what to do about that I'm sure that the same reason the computer wouldn't boot up is the same reason I can't accessing the drive, but shit. I need the data on that drive, dammit.

Hmm, that sounds almost like there either some kinda Io issue with the usb to ide.. Although, I dont really see that happening.. Im leaning more towards the file system is currupt or the MBR is fucked...MBR or Master boot record, is a file that has a inventory of all the files on that disk. And it knows where any one particular file is on the platter. If that gets fucked or the file system is screwed. They could exhibit symptoms of what you are describing.

I would since you bought another computer. Set the drive you want the files off, to slave and plug it up in the computer in line with your master Hd. And see if you can pulls the files off that way.. You should be able to. If not then its hosed and if you need those files off you will need to send it to a data recovery person. The reason I say hook it up that way.. It would eliminate the possibility of there being any IO issue witht the usb to ide..