Boot problem... need help!!!

[Phr0stByt3]

Aye so I have a computer (Athlon 2100+) with windows XP pro on it. One day it doesn't boot with the message "Invalid boot.ini file, booting from c:\windows, cannot find hall.dll" and then I can't boot it. It asks me for my original winxp cd, which unfortunately I only have the backup of (lucky to have that) as it was lost in a move. This doesn't work I don't know if thats cos it's a burned CD or cos it wouldnt work anyway. I suspect maybe a virus?

I have important files on there not only for me but for family as well. I have this working computer and I tried running the 6 windows XP boot floppy disks (as the .exe file as downloaded from microsoft.com) but no luck, as it says something about the .exe being unable to run in DOS or something. Anyway so I try Knoppix bootable disk which I have.

Problem is... I don't know what to do with the knoppix CD to make it restory my system (if even it can)...

[sirchumpalot]

I think and i'm sure about this, you have a low level boot virus, which probably encoded your boot.ini file to a point where its non-operationable.

Since you have important files on disk, I wouldn't recommend a format. Instead, I would recommend getting a Windows XP and just booting up the comptuer up with the cd rom drive. as long as you can get a cd key, there should be a problem. Borrow a cd key off a friend, i doesnt matter if you share cd keys, I do it and i don't have any problems. Reinstall Windows XP and it will be as good as new.

[Phr0stByt3]

I have re-installed winXP before and it deleted most programs. Is there a way I can use knoppix to copy the important files onto disk or something?

Also, as I only have the backup winXP that doesnt boot can I make a copy of the backup I have and burn it as the "Boot CD" then throw away the old disc?

[xb0xed]

I don't think so, you will need the original WinXP CD most likely. If you can't get one, borrow one off a friend, along with the CD Key.

[Phr0stByt3]

How do i do an FDISK with knoppix?