Windows XP Pro and booting from disk

[Midge]

Sony Vaio PCG - V505CP
OS -Windows XP Pro V1
CPU - 1.60GHz Intel Centrino
HDD - 40GB
RAM - 512MB
etc

Laptop never connected to Internet
Used by family for music uploads to MP3 players and storing holiday photo’s

Problem: - Normal shut down carried out after showing friend photo’s from trip to Canada (not entirely relevant )

On next start up error message file *HALL.Dll* missing unable to start windows
No problem I thought create boot CD from second Vaio (yes I have two) and away we go. At least being an old idiot I thought that would be simple. Having trawled through MS Help and half the internet I now find that unlike windows 3.11, 95, 98 etc (yes I am that old) you cannot simply make a boot disc (CD).
Because of the missing file windows will not even start in safe mode and only other options given all include reformatting or erasing data on the hard drive. Which I’m quite happy to do after I have recovered the photos.

Any help or ideas greatly appreciated

[RoSpider]

The HALL.DLL might appear because of a damaged or corrupt BOOT.INI file. You can use the recovery console to fix that (FIXBOOT or BOOTCFG). If that doesn't work I suggest repairing the system by installing it again over the current installation (there will be no data loss whatsoever). Hope this helps.

Good Luck

[Jazz]

You're going to have to start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file, as per the following link: -

Article ID : 330184

"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer

I have also included the following link as well, as you may have inadvertently typed HALL.DLL, as opposed to HAL.DLL: -

Error Message: Cannot Find \Windows\System32\hal.dll

NOTE:

Originally Posted by Midge

Because of the missing file windows will not even start in safe mode and only other options given all include reformatting or erasing data on the hard drive. Which I’m quite happy to do after I have recovered the photos.

Please do it the correct way: -

Clean Install Windows XP

[Midge]

Thanks Guys ---- 7 hours later and it's back :-)

[Jazz]

Originally Posted by Midge

Thanks Guys ---- 7 hours later and it's back :-)

You're welcome, Midge...