My problem is a corrupted HAL.dll file in my XP Home OS. My first request for Help was answered by BigBadBen that assumed I had an XP CD which I don't. I started Googling and found references to XP Home OEM CD's. My first question to anyone who has used one of these is: How do I get my PC to recognize the CD. My only options are the error message about the corrupter file OR F8 which gives a limited menu. Question 2: Can the new XP be installed without reformatting the Hard Drive or losing my data files, pictures, etc. Question 3: Is it likely that this OEM CD will have a Product Key?
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Using an OEM OS CD 5
- Thread starter jnvan
- Start date
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1. You'll need to go into your machine's BIOS setup (normally done by pressing the DEL key as you turn on the machine) and specify the CD as the fist option to BOOT from.
2. Yes, as Ben's thorough quote says. Point the new installation to another location so that whatever files are on your machine are untouched. Call it C:\Winfix or something that is not C:\Windows
3. Normally Product Keys for OEM CD's are stuck to the side of the computer the CD is from. If you are buying this from someone they should be able to give you a key.
Otherwise as Ben's quote also mentions you should be able to use your own key form your machine.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
2. Yes, as Ben's thorough quote says. Point the new installation to another location so that whatever files are on your machine are untouched. Call it C:\Winfix or something that is not C:\Windows
3. Normally Product Keys for OEM CD's are stuck to the side of the computer the CD is from. If you are buying this from someone they should be able to give you a key.
Otherwise as Ben's quote also mentions you should be able to use your own key form your machine.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thank you for the quick reply. I brought up the Boot Option Menu which reads as follows:
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552B -ATAPI
GCR-8483B -ATAPI
WDC WD1600JD-22HBB0 -160.0GB
IBA FE Slot 0540 v4110
WDC WD3200 AJS
I assume the first item is the CD/DVD drive where I'll put the CD when I buy it. As for the Product Key, it's not on the PC and, since XP was on the PC when I bought it, I got no CD. Does anyone have any good ideas?
Thanks.
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552B -ATAPI
GCR-8483B -ATAPI
WDC WD1600JD-22HBB0 -160.0GB
IBA FE Slot 0540 v4110
WDC WD3200 AJS
I assume the first item is the CD/DVD drive where I'll put the CD when I buy it. As for the Product Key, it's not on the PC and, since XP was on the PC when I bought it, I got no CD. Does anyone have any good ideas?
Thanks.
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2
- #4
Do you have to buy a CD can you not just borrow one from a friend? You will not be activating or using the Windows from the CD, you are only creating a new HAL.dll and then removing the new Windows, or you should do if it is a borrowed CD that you used.
If you don't have a partition to install on, you could try the Parallel install, which will install this second Windows into a folder on your one and only partition (drive). Actually if your machine came with a Recovery Partition (possibly Hidden) as opposed to a Recovery CD, you might well have two Partitions in fact, but the second one will have all the Recover Stuff on that. It might even have a spare Hal.dll if your lucky, and can find it, it might be called Hal.dl_ and may need uncompressing or Expanding. It may be in a i386 folder. Or you may be unlucky and just have an Image of Windows on any Recovery Partition.
See the paragraph in this article.
"To install Windows XP to a new folder (to perform a parallel installation):"
How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
"Method 4: Use Expand.exe in the Recovery Console"
How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
If you don't have a partition to install on, you could try the Parallel install, which will install this second Windows into a folder on your one and only partition (drive). Actually if your machine came with a Recovery Partition (possibly Hidden) as opposed to a Recovery CD, you might well have two Partitions in fact, but the second one will have all the Recover Stuff on that. It might even have a spare Hal.dll if your lucky, and can find it, it might be called Hal.dl_ and may need uncompressing or Expanding. It may be in a i386 folder. Or you may be unlucky and just have an Image of Windows on any Recovery Partition.
See the paragraph in this article.
"To install Windows XP to a new folder (to perform a parallel installation):"
How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
"Method 4: Use Expand.exe in the Recovery Console"
How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
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- #6
You could download a boot disk for something like 98SE and use the fdisk to see what the partitions are on the drive. If you have a recovery partition it should show up as a non-dos type.
With a recovery partition you sometimes can use a function key for a boot into recovery. Some HP use [F10], others [F11] for example. Try hitting the keys after the boot splash screen showing hardware and see if it goes into the recovery process. On the HP I've been fighting I found the [F10] as recover, [F11] as another CMOS setup.
Although system builders are supposed to put CDKEY labels on machines, some don't. The labels came on the CD sleeve for all the XP stuff I bought and they have instructions to stick them on the case.
Once you are booting from the XP CD the first choice is to boot the recovery console. That won't help you. Then it starts a XP load and will ask where to put the install. If you point it at the existing location it should find a previous version and ask if you want to do a recovery without losing your data. SFAIK that should rebuild the HAL.dll and replace the bad one. If you do a parallel you may have to do another load to get the boot loader pointing at the right place.
Linney, Phil, or BBB will correct me if I've given any bad info. After the last 48 hours doing the same thing due to a severe worm infection my memory of the steps is beginning to get fuzzy.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
With a recovery partition you sometimes can use a function key for a boot into recovery. Some HP use [F10], others [F11] for example. Try hitting the keys after the boot splash screen showing hardware and see if it goes into the recovery process. On the HP I've been fighting I found the [F10] as recover, [F11] as another CMOS setup.
Although system builders are supposed to put CDKEY labels on machines, some don't. The labels came on the CD sleeve for all the XP stuff I bought and they have instructions to stick them on the case.
Once you are booting from the XP CD the first choice is to boot the recovery console. That won't help you. Then it starts a XP load and will ask where to put the install. If you point it at the existing location it should find a previous version and ask if you want to do a recovery without losing your data. SFAIK that should rebuild the HAL.dll and replace the bad one. If you do a parallel you may have to do another load to get the boot loader pointing at the right place.
Linney, Phil, or BBB will correct me if I've given any bad info. After the last 48 hours doing the same thing due to a severe worm infection my memory of the steps is beginning to get fuzzy.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
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1
- #7
If all else fails (see linneys posts and links) and you decide to go the OEM route. Yes it should come with a product key (wont be much use without one) and a sticker to attach to your box.
But you will need to reformat your Harddrive. and activate it with Microsoft.
There are also some disadvantages to installing an OEM copy of Windows XP such as No Support from Microsoft and the inability to move it to another machine if the machine you install on gets to the end of its life.
But you will be able to re-install from the Disk if there are major problems, and as the end of XP support is insight anyway its as good an option as any. And a lot cheaper than a full Consumer Copy.
Steve: N.M.N.F.
If something is popular, it must be wrong: Mark Twain
But you will need to reformat your Harddrive. and activate it with Microsoft.
There are also some disadvantages to installing an OEM copy of Windows XP such as No Support from Microsoft and the inability to move it to another machine if the machine you install on gets to the end of its life.
But you will be able to re-install from the Disk if there are major problems, and as the end of XP support is insight anyway its as good an option as any. And a lot cheaper than a full Consumer Copy.
Steve: N.M.N.F.
If something is popular, it must be wrong: Mark Twain
One correction: The home versions came with the CDKEY on the cellophane wrapping, not the sleeve.
I'm not sure if it was the particular version but I wasn't required to do a reformat, it just started overwriting all the files. I lost PANDAIS and NERO, both requiring reloads. There may be more.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
I'm not sure if it was the particular version but I wasn't required to do a reformat, it just started overwriting all the files. I lost PANDAIS and NERO, both requiring reloads. There may be more.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thank you for the quick reply. I hope this isn't a duplicate message. I sent it last evening but couldn't find it on the forum message list. I'm still learning.
I brought up the Boot Option Menu which reads as follows:
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552B -ATAPI
GCR-8483B -ATAPI
WDC WD1600JD-22HBB0 -160.0GB
IBA FE Slot 0540 v4110
WDC WD3200 AJS
I assume the first item is the CD/DVD drive where I'll put the CD when I buy it. As for the Product Key, it's not on the PC and, since XP was on the PC when I bought it, I got no CD. Does anyone have any good ideas?
Thanks.
I brought up the Boot Option Menu which reads as follows:
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552B -ATAPI
GCR-8483B -ATAPI
WDC WD1600JD-22HBB0 -160.0GB
IBA FE Slot 0540 v4110
WDC WD3200 AJS
I assume the first item is the CD/DVD drive where I'll put the CD when I buy it. As for the Product Key, it's not on the PC and, since XP was on the PC when I bought it, I got no CD. Does anyone have any good ideas?
Thanks.
- Thread starter
- #10
Thank you BigBadBen, Vacunita, Linney, Edfair and Sggaunt for your great advice. I feel confident enough after reading all your responses and links to order the CD. In the meantime I will study all your comments so I will know what I'm doing and shouldn't do. I am amazed at the wealth of help out there. Thanks again.
So far as the boot options you listed, it tries from the top down to find a bootable drive. So the CD would go in either optical.
You've just skimmed the surface of what is available here. It is a pretty remarkable place.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
You've just skimmed the surface of what is available here. It is a pretty remarkable place.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
Ed,
This thread and its' original all started from a suggested way (by Ben) to rebuild the Hal.dll, copy it across, to a non-working system, without the need to repair the non-working system in the first place.
Therefor it has tended to concentrate on that procedure rather than a general repair of Windows. That might explain some of the more unusual suggestion we are submitting.
This thread and its' original all started from a suggested way (by Ben) to rebuild the Hal.dll, copy it across, to a non-working system, without the need to repair the non-working system in the first place.
Therefor it has tended to concentrate on that procedure rather than a general repair of Windows. That might explain some of the more unusual suggestion we are submitting.
I was aware of the reasoning behind them. While the discussion was going on about using the OEM CD to build up a system I was going through the issues attempting to build one up the same way, using OEM CDs but with a HP KEY, then with the assigned KEYs, and then fell back to a build using the HP restore set. I was originally going to swap across some files but realinzed that there might be issues re SP levels. So I generated a duplicate long enough to research the restore then swapped the original drive back in and restored.
I've not researched the HAL to see if patch levels affect it, but that might be something for jnvan to consider as he proceeds with the project. There is also the possibility that there might be differences based on the OEM CD used, where one level CD might build something a little off from another. For that, I'm clueless.
I've not researched the HAL to see if patch levels affect it, but that might be something for jnvan to consider as he proceeds with the project. There is also the possibility that there might be differences based on the OEM CD used, where one level CD might build something a little off from another. For that, I'm clueless.
- Thread starter
- #14
Well, I'm back again. Got the OEM CD and it did have a Product Key. I put it in the CD drive and hit "any" key when asked. It started booting various files like drivers and such and stopped at the Welcome to Setup window. It has an option to bring up the Recovery Console which lists 2 locations to log onto - C:\indows or J: which is an external backup drive, currently empty. Either choice puts me in the chosen directory with only MS DOS commands to use. I never got the "Activate" or "Register" choice mentioned by BBB. I'm being very careful so I don't end up overwritting my many photos. If there is no solution, I'll have the repair man save my data, go back to the Setup window and choose the "Set up WINDOWS" options which I read would erase everything.
There is another choice on that page, install XP. Take that.
Next major decision is when it finds the existing install.
You do not , repeat NOT, want to do a new install. Can't recall the wording but I think it is reinstall.
Activate or register happens way down the road.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
Next major decision is when it finds the existing install.
You do not , repeat NOT, want to do a new install. Can't recall the wording but I think it is reinstall.
Activate or register happens way down the road.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
Skip down to METHOD 2: Repair install of Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD...
This is the same as above, maybe a bit easier to understand:
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"
Skip down to METHOD 2: Repair install of Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD...
This is the same as above, maybe a bit easier to understand:
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"
- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks for the latest info. I was able to load the new XP into WINXP without erasing my docs and photos. Also I copied a good hal.dll to the old XP in WINDOWS, I think! I can't boot up the old XP probably because BOOT.ini has the wrong pointer but I don't know how to find it and edit it. Someone suggested System Control Panel, Advanced, Startup and Recovery but my System Control Panel has no Advanced option on it. Any suggestions?
Well, in command prompt at the root of the drive (c:\) you could use attrib *.* and see if you have boot.ini as SHR.
and if you would like to mangle it you could attrib -s -h -r boot.ini. Then you could see it and look at it.
I've never mucked with the boot.ini. But attempting to edit it on this box gives a system error, so that is not something that you will likely be able to do.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
and if you would like to mangle it you could attrib -s -h -r boot.ini. Then you could see it and look at it.
I've never mucked with the boot.ini. But attempting to edit it on this box gives a system error, so that is not something that you will likely be able to do.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
Any help here for you?
HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)
A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses (Q291980)
HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP(Q305595)
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP (Q314079)
HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)
A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses (Q291980)
HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP(Q305595)
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP (Q314079)
- Thread starter
- #20
Thanks again to all of you for the directions and tips. I was successful in editing the Boot.ini using Q289022 but, in summary, I read, compared and verified each step by printing out all of your answers and studying them. It looks like several of you stay up all night answering pleas from us beginers. You all have a lot of patience. Thanks again.
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