Windows won't boot after HDD install

[VirusType2]

(I'm ****ing pissed off)

Hey, I installed a 500GB hard drive

And now Windows won't boot

It said hal.dll is missing or corrupt

In safe mode, I downloaded and installed Hal.dll

Windows now won't even go into safe mode. It says something about a kernel

I tried everything

I compiled a list of what I did

I bought a new copy of Windows XP, becuase I want a full copy, not an OEM copy. I'm tired of having a gimped version, setting everything up and uninstalling the 'free' software trials, etc.

I installed a formated 80GB hard drive that I haven't used for like a year.

I put the OEM Windows repair disc in and installed it. It made no difference.

Windows still won't boot.

I manage to get it to go into safe mode, but Windows cannot setup for the first time in safe mode, so I can't use safe mode.

I get ready to install the new Windows, and I notice on the side it says, "upgrade for users of millenia, me, windows 98"

I'm going to return the Windows XP upgrade and buy a full version.

What version should I get?

I've had Windows XP Home, and Windows XP Media Center Edition.

I never really used the Media Center Features TBH.


Should I just buy XP home? What advantages does the Professional have?

Should I just buy Vista?

Thanks.

I can't believe replacing a 80GB slave drive with a 500GB SATAII hard drive would make Windows not boot anymore. The world runs on MS, but it can't even boot just by adding a second HDD. What a joke.

 

[Asus]

Can you do a repair install from the CD?

If this version of XP is one you had from an HP, Dell, Emachines or whatever then that might be why it didn't like the new hardware. That is where you might run into issues running hardware that isn't on their custom windows start-up CD.
FYI Windows XP OEM is exactly like Retail Windows XP without the tech support. It is not like the version from the PC manufactures.

Home would be fine. Pro has other features dealing with security/permissions and networking. Home supports dual-core CPUs (2 cores on 1 chip, 1 socket) but not Dual CPUs (2 individual chips, sockets). Pro supports both.

Vista is your call. Get Retail if you do since it includes both 32bit and 64bit installs (only for Vista). I believe you have to pick and choose with the OEM version. On one hand you could avoid possible issues by getting XP but on the other hand you will probably be buying Vista again sometime in the future anyway. /shrug

 

[VirusType2]

Can you do a repair install from the CD?

If this version of XP is one you had from an HP, Dell, Emachines or whatever then that might be why it didn't like the new hardware. That is where you might run into issues running hardware that isn't on their custom windows start-up CD.


Vista is your call. Get Retail if you do since it includes both 32bit and 64bit installs (only for Vista). I believe you have to pick and choose with the OEM version. On one hand you could avoid possible issues by getting XP but on the other hand you will probably be buying Vista again sometime in the future anyway. /shrug

Great reply, thanks.

All attempts at re-installing have failed.

I have the OEM emachines Media Center Edition restore CD. Hmm, I think you are on to something about 'not liking new hardware'...

... but even after installing a formated 80GB drive by itself with no other drives and putting the restore disc in and re-installing a copy of XP, it just won't boot.

FYI Windows XP OEM is exactly like Retail Windows XP without the tech support. It is not like the version from the PC manufactures.

I think I understand what you mean. OEM is not the correct term for the XP that came with my Emachines PC?

OEM = Retail (without manuals?)

Home would be fine. Pro has other features dealing with security/permissions and networking. Home supports dual-core CPUs (2 cores on 1 chip, 1 socket) but not Dual CPUs (2 individual chips, sockets). Pro supports both.

I shouldn't need dual CPU support for a home PC would I?

Does Home support Quad core CPU's?



I'd like to eventually have 4 hard drives. 1 of them would boot Xp and one of them would boot Vista, and 2 stoarage hard drives. My brother said he uses something called Boot magic to do this.

 

[Asus]

If you want to try to remove the hal.dll file (cause you said it won't even go into safe mode now) maybe put the hard drive in another PC (not to boot from). Navigate the folders and take it out.

The OS from the manufactures is probably OEM as well but they modify it.

 

[VirusType2]

If you want to try to remove the hal.dll file (cause you said it won't even go into safe mode now) maybe put the hard drive in another PC (not to boot from). Navigate the folders and take it out.

The OS from the manufactures is probably OEM as well but they modify it.

thats a great idea. Why didn't I think of that.

I'm not feeling well (sick) though, and frustrated, and aggrivated

when I was talking to emachines helpI said, "The world runs on F*cking Windows and it can't figure out how to find it's own ass just from adding a second HDD!" , but appolgized and told her I loved her and she laughed)


Even if I go through the trouble of installing the drive on another PC and swapping out the Hal.dll file, I think it's too late. I've already screwed myself since Windows will only boot to safe mode, and the new copy of Xp cannot setup in safe mode.

Endless cycle. Won't work.

My brother is a software engineer (computer guru) and he's going to get me setup with a new copy of Xp sp2.

 

[Asus]

when I was talking to emachines helpI said, "The world runs on F*cking Windows and it can't figure out how to find it's own ass just from adding a second HDD!" , but appolgized and told her I loved her and she laughed)

haha

My brother is a software engineer (computer guru) and he's going to get me setup with a new copy of Xp sp2.

cool deal

 

[VirusType2]

If for some strange reason anyone is interested, this is a search thread pertaining to my problem.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=windows+system32+hal.dll+missing+corrupt


It seems to be very common. Checking at Microsoft.com it seems like there is no fix for this if you don't own the XP install discs. (all I have is the restore CD)

Cannot understand why there is no patch or anything. Unbelievable bad luck to have this happen. Now none of my 100's of programs are going to be installed, some I can't find the discs for.

For years I've never had anything as irrepairable as this, and I didn't do anything wrong.

I AM ****ING MAD.:angry: I'm going to go on a rampage at Office Max.

LOL j/jk

 

[The Brick]

You tried to install it on a freshly reformatted drive and it still wouldn't work? Are you sure your cables aren't broken or something?

 

[Stucco]

I know how you did it. You unplugged/plugged in a drive while your PC was still plugged in to the wall. You're screwed, and will need to re-format and re-install XP.

 

[VirusType2]

I know how you did it. You unplugged/plugged in a drive while your PC was still plugged in to the wall. You're screwed, and will need to re-format and re-install XP.

Nah, even though the SATA II drive supports hot swaping, I turn off the PC, unplug it, and hold the power button for a few seconds to discharge the system.

 

[VirusType2]

Nah, even though the SATA II drive supports hot swaping, I turn off the PC, unplug it, and hold the power button for a few seconds to discharge the system.

 

[Stucco]

Hot swapping is a load of crap. That is exactly what happened to me once. I forgot to unplug from the wall etc, unplugged my SATA drive, plugged it back in, and suddenly "hal.dll is missing or corrupt".

 

[VirusType2]

Hot swapping is a load of crap. That is exactly what happened to me once. I forgot to unplug from the wall etc, unplugged my SATA drive, plugged it back in, and suddenly "hal.dll is missing or corrupt".

That's flawed logic dude. I've been troubleshooting since I was a little kid doing Basic programing.

Here is your logic:

I scratched my ass right before your car exploded.

Therefore scratching my ass caused your car to explode.

See how that doesn't work?


It's possible what you did caused your problem, but I didn't do what you did, and I got the same problem. Therefore I know that it has been caused by something else, and I think that it probably was caused by something else in your case too.

I would think that I would have heard from at least one of the (wild guess) millions of people who use SATA II complain that hot swapping doesn't work.

I believe it's some kind of bug in Windows when it gets confused as to what drive to boot from, since we both did some hard drive hardware configuration modifications and then we both got the problem.


Anyway, everyone, thanks for trying to help.

I got WinXp PRO, and now I have to set everything up the way I am accustomed to it, so I'll be busy for a while.

 

[Stucco]

That's flawed logic dude. I've been troubleshooting since I was a little kid doing Basic programing.

Here is your logic:

I scratched my ass right before your car exploded.

Therefore scratching my ass caused your car to explode.

See how that doesn't work?


It's possible what you did caused your problem, but I didn't do what you did, and I got the same problem. Therefore I know that it has been caused by something else, and I think that it probably was caused by something else in your case too.

I would think that I would have heard from at least one of the (wild guess) millions of people who use SATA II complain that hot swapping doesn't work.

I believe it's some kind of bug in Windows when it gets confused as to what drive to boot from, since we both did some hard drive hardware configuration modifications and then we both got the problem.

We were both adding / moving SATA drives, and both ended up with the hal.dll error, without adding / removing any software, or even having the damn PC on. I get paid to build PC's, so I know what I'm doing, and what I'm talking about. Don't be so quick to dismiss other peoples assessments.

 

[VirusType2]

We were both adding / moving SATA drives, and both ended up with the hal.dll error, without adding / removing any software, or even having the damn PC on. I get paid to build PC's, so I know what I'm doing, and what I'm talking about. Don't be so quick to dismiss other peoples assessments.

Isn't that what you are doing? If you want to believe that SATA II hot swapping corrupted your XP install, go ahead. It could very well be from installing a SATA II drive, but I don't think it's because you didn't unplug your PC, because I did, and I got the same problem, that's all.

I'm sorry to have insulted you.

Regards,
VT