Hey guys

My S3XP has crashed !!

Heres what it says:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<Windows>\system32\hal.dll
Please Reinstall a copy of the above file

I have a few questions I’d like somebody to answer

Is there a way to restore this dll ?

Heres what i’ve tried

Use the automated recovery thingy from the xp cd, which doesnt work

Can i install windows on a seperate folder in the extended partition and boot with the fresh installation in order to save the current files?

Please help guys !!

Varun

I dont have the recovery disk,

can i buy/download these from somewhere?

Thanks

You can buy recovery discs from Sony at http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/.  You might also try replacing the file, hal.dll can be downloadeed from this direct link, http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/download.php?haldownload0UGkXFZHmV .

Hi Varun -

The error you got indicates that your Hardware Abstraction Layer has gone corrupt.  Unfortunately there’s no way to recover the file because it’s built when Windows is installed.

However, if you have System Restore running on the computer, you can bring it back.

If you can get to the startup menu (sometimes you can, sometimes things have gone too corrupt, you can recover).

From: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449

Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt

1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt.

2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.

3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

The above procedure won’t work when booted to the Recovery Console on a Windows XP CD.

Hopefully this will help.

Jef

Hey jef and Mr B.

Thank you for your responses.

Jef,

Unfortunately i tried doing the F8 at startup. It does take me to the advanced startup options menu, but every option on there takes me directly to the ’ Please select the operating system to start ’ page.

Unfortunately i only have the Corrupt XP installation to choose from.

So it displays the same message again.

Im thinking if there is some way i can replace the HAL file. I havent decided on formatting my hard disk yet. If i can restore this file, since i have some documents i want to save.

Any ideas on how i can may be connect a USB drive or perhaps some windows version that boots from the cd like knoppix and allows me to make changes to windows directory on the corrupt installation ?

Varun

Unfortunately with the Hardware Abstraction Layer gone corrupt there’s realistically no chance simply replacing HAL.DLL will sort the problem.

Crashing when HAL.DLL is attempting to load is an indication that the computer has significant corruption.

Perhaps loading the drive on another computer with an external caddy will give you access to the data on the drive.

Sorry .. I haven’t anything else to offer.

Jef

I have/use a laptop IDE adapter that connects the laptop drive to my desktop so I can fix whatever problems may arise.  It’s a very good thing to have around, and cheap.

Ok im gonna do the whole backup bit. But i would need somebody to ship the recovery disks to me. I cannot find them on UK ebay or UK sonystyle. The sony parts online shop wouldnt ship it to UK.

I will pay for all the expenses if anybody is willing to ship the recovery dvds/cds for my s3xp.

Anybody ??

Thanks

HAHA !! Your too funny man

seriously tho, hilarious !!

I wasnt expecting your help in any case !

:D

ok gilberto

why do you bother then ?

Hey guys, I stuffed up my S3XP too..  :oops:  and now also need the recovery DVDs… I searched everywhere and could not find the ones I creates.. (I did create them, really). Can someone please help?

I can’t help in this situation, but I’ve given this advice before and I will give it again. You should always make *at least* two copies of your restore CD/DVDs. I keep one in my house, the other in a safe deposit box in the bank. If you work, I would keep one at home and another set in the office.

Best of luck to both of you, hope others read and decide to make mulitple copies so they won’t be in the same situation.

Erik