[RESOLVED] missing or corrupted hal.dll

[Midknyte]

Ok. Now that you've verified that the hard drive is good, we can proceed with more software fixes.

You mentioned Norton Goback. Did you try restoring from Goback yet?

[terryZ]

i just saw this after googling hal.dll:

he corrupted or missing HAL.DLL error message encountered when starting up a Windows operating system is misleading, as the problem comes from inconsistencies in the BOOT.INI file as opposed to the named DLL file. The issue can be solved by editing the boot.ini file manually with the correct partition number. Another way to solve the issue is by rebuilding the Boot.ini file. The computer has to be started with the boot disk to access the boot.ini file. The boot disk for Windows can be downloaded from the internet for free. After Boot.ini has been fixed, the corrupted or missing HAL.DLL error should be fixed.

with "bootcfg /rebuild" done and my pc not letting me "fixboot", how will this be done?

[terryZ]

go-back will only go back to start-of-day on monday. when the problem occurred. it won't or can't see anything earlier than that.

[terryZ]

ok guys. i leave in 12 minute. take me 2 buses and a subway ride to get home.

and since i was in the ER and an overnight in the hospital earlier this week, i don't have the stamina to stay late tonight.

i'll post my thoughts tonight from home.

[Midknyte]

with "bootcfg /rebuild" done and my pc not letting me "fixboot", how will this be done?

What do you mean not letting you fixboot? Did you reboot from the XP cd and run just fixboot from the recovery console? You already ran bootcfg /rebuild, so you don't have to run it again.

Boot from the XP and get to recovery console. Run fixboot.
If that still doesn't work, reboot from the XP and get to recovery console. Run fixmbr.
If that doesn't work, you can try a repair install of XP.

You might want to remove Goback too. It might be hurting more than helping at this point.

[Train]

You might want to remove Goback too. It might be hurting more than helping at this point.

That has been a trouble causing programs since I started here at VDR> <shudder>

[terryZ]

Boot from the XP and get to recovery console. Run fixboot.
If that still doesn't work, reboot from the XP and get to recovery console. Run fixmbr.

did both. back to "corrupted or mising hal.dll file"

[Midknyte]

Goback removal:
http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Norton...the-Hard-Drive

Note that Goback does affect the MBR.

[terryZ]

ok. i'll try this.

however, the link after "Download the file" gives me a "no such file or directory"
and the url after "if that link doesn't work" gives me a 404

[Midknyte]

Hmm. Looks like Norton moved it to a different location:

Try this link:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/englis...ck/NGBBoot.iso

You can try these instructions as well:
http://www.mycrazymachine.com/mcmblog/?p=81

[terryZ]

"If you get another prompt to unhook GoBack from the MBR select “YES”. This will take about 1-2 hours to uninstall (?)"

seriously? then god i hope it works. if not i'm going straight to a reinstall of xp.

[Midknyte]

Either way, you really want to get rid of Goback. Like Train mentioned, it's a nightmare. It's basically a drive overlay. Even if you slave the drive onto another system, you wouldn't be able to see the data.

Once Goback is removed, you can try the fixboot and fixmbr again. If those don't work, try a repair install.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operat...txprepair1.htm

[terryZ]

sounds like a plan midknyte. thanks.

i'll let u know what happens when i get to work.

i just hope that go-back removal ISN'T 2 hrs. sheesh.

[terryZ]

followed the uninstall goback menu.

weird results:

"unhooking goback from mbr
bad command or filename
norton goback has been removed from the partition table
please restart your computer"

it never asked me for the econd (1-2 hr) "unhook" OR (more importantly) the "repair the mbr".

so i restarted and selected the "repair mbr option"

result - hal.dll still missing or corrupt. i assume goback i still there.

went the fixboot and fixmbr routes again just in case (with fingers crossed). no change.

so i'm now doing the repair intall.

will keep you informed.

[terryZ]

never got the "repair" option. and the installation disc had trouble with the partition window was on.

was forced to format and completely install

*sigh*