Problem installing XP

[GasX]

I just bought the 160 Seagate in hot deals and installed it in my PC. After starting to install Win XP Pro, the first reboot after copying install files gives me the following message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file

I have followed various fixes, reformatted the drive, repartitioned the drive and I still get this error.

What else can I do?

 

[ActuaryTm]

First several results in this list should be checked first. Or were these the fixes that you've already addressed?

Also you may want to post which particular motherboard you are making use of, if for some reason be a portion of the above issue.

 

[GasX]

been there, done that...

 

[ActuaryTm]

Second part of the question above? Which board?

 

[GasX]

Rig:
CPU: AMD XP1700+ 1470MHz @ 1470MHz
Motherboard: Biostar M7MIA
Memory: 512 MB PC2100 DDR
Video Card: Gainward Golden Sample GF3 Ti300 128MB RAM
Hard Drive: Seagate 160GB - brand new!
CDROM Manufacturer &amp; Model: Samsung 52X
CDR/CDRW Manufacturer &amp; Model: Samsung 24x10x40
Storage Interface: IDE
Sound Card: Creative SB Audigy
Internet Connection: Cablevision Cable
Operating System: Windows XP Pro
Other Components: Antec 830 w/ 300W PSU &amp; 4 Fans

 

[GasX]

Does a quick format erase the disk?

If I format the disk and attempt another install, is it going to be all new data on the disk? i.e. does format / reinstall actually change anything in this case?

While I expect this is futile, I am still trying to solve my hal.dll issue...

 

[tomwalshco]

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: tomwalshco
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

Thanks - the problem with this fix is that it assumes you can get into windows to fix it, yet the problem prevents you from getting into windows - or in my case fully installing it...

edit: going to try the recovery console fix now...

 

[mikecel79]

Is this known good memory? IME 90% of 2k/XP install problems are memory related. Run memtest on the memory and see if it reports any errors.

 

[Blazer]

if you are trying to install a OS on a new drive then disconnect all other drives/set boot order/install OS/reconnect other drives

 

[bhn_ack]

I don't know if you have resolved your problem, but had the same issue and found a work around. I went into recovery console and simply deleted the boot.ini file. Uon reboot, XP errored with an invalid or missing boot.ini file but went on to boot. We'll see if that gets me going again.

 

[S0Y73NTGR33N]

This is an easy fix. All you have to do is repair your boot.ini. I do it at work everyday.

Go to recovery console.

type bootcfg /list

This'll list your windows installations

type bootcfg /repair

It will ask you three questions.

1st.. you choose the windows installation you want to repair. It is 1 most likely

2nd you type "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" or whatever you have.

3rd you type "/fastdetect"

Then you done
type exit... it'll boot now. Bingo bango bongo.

 

[bhn_ack]

I as well tried all of the suggested fixes but still had the problem. Deleting the boot.ini file worked. After finishing the install, I just created a new boot.ini file. All is fine now.