harddrive problems?

Question

recently got an old computer from my grandpa, its hard drive is running windows 98 right now. I have an old harddrive running xp. so i installed the xp hard drive and it says

windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt \system 32\hal.dll.

so i put the windows xp startup cd in and then the blue screen comes on and the setup process starts. i later press r for repair but it doesn't recognize that i have a hard drive in.

Answer 1

The hal.dll (hardware configuration) on the WinXP drive doesn't recognize the hardware on that computer.
The drive you installed *should* be recognized because its drivers are installed there. You could try checking the BIOS to make sure the correct drive is being found.

You might have to put the old drive in place, try a new install of XP, then add the second hard drive after that.

Answer 2

Restart the PC. The hal.dll error could be a fluke.


Run Windows XP System Restore from a command prompt. If this doesn't work or you're receiving the hal.dll error message before you're able to complete this process, move on to Step 3.


Repair or replace the boot.ini file. This will work if the cause of the problem is actually Windows XP's boot.ini file and not the hal.dll file, which is often times the case.


Write a new partition boot sector to the Windows XP system partition. If the partition boot sector has become corrupt or isn't properly configured, you may receive the hal.dll error.


Restore the hal.dll file from the Windows XP CD. If the hal.dll file is truly the cause of the problem, restoring it from the original Windows XP CD may do the trick.


Perform a repair installation of Windows XP. This type of installation should replace any missing or corrupt files. Continue troubleshooting if this does not resolve the issue.


Perform a clean installation of Windows XP. This type of installation will completely remove Windows XP from your PC and install it again from scratch. While this will almost certainly resolve any hal.dll errors, it is a time consuming process due to the fact that all of your data must be backed up and then later restored.

If you can't gain access to your files to back them up, understand that you will lose them all if you continue with a clean installation of Windows XP.


Finally, if all else has failed, including the clean installation from the last step, you're most likely facing a hardware issue with your hard drive. Replace the hard drive and then perform a new installation of Windows

Answer 3

It's possible your grandpa's old computer doesn't have the processor speed, and memory to run WinXP. 'Google' for XP requirements.

Answer 4

No, the virus isn't there once you reformat the force. this may well be somewhat perplexing now which contain your difficulty. once you reformat your confusing force, did you relod your working equipment? without working equipment, your pc is going no the place. answer this question first formerly we are able to flow on....