Reinstall Windows XP?

[slider76]

I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I did.
Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error message
stating the following file is missing or corrupt:

<Windows root>\System32\hal.dll

It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy this
one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.

Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:

1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get a
prompt?
2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other programs/files
intact?
3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
salvage all of my data?
4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?

My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook might be
a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go to
the hard drive.

[patrick keenan]

"Slider76" <Slider76@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D9D7F4A5-B0C3-4FF7-881C-E62DDAE47026@microsoft.com...
>I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
> product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I did.
> Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error message
> stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
>
> <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
>
> It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy this
> one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
> message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
>
> Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
>
> 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get
> a
> prompt?
> 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
> existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other
> programs/files
> intact?
> 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
> removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
> drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
> salvage all of my data?
> 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
> drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
>
> My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
> isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook might
> be
> a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go to
> the hard drive.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerr ... haldll.htm

You can reinstall XP, yes. A repair install may or may not fix the
problem. Repair installs generally leave installed applications and data
intact - they use the existing registry. Windows files are replaced with
older versions, and updates must be re-applied.

Parallel installs will not know anything about installed apps or data.

Never assume that your data will be preserved.

Certainly, you can simply attach the drive to another system. The only
criteria is that the case or adapter match the connector type of your drive
(IDE or SATA). Laptop drive cases generally come with no power adapter,
but with a 3-ended cable; two ends connect to USB ports on the host PC
(since that's the only way to get enough power) and one end to the case.
Then locate the data and copy it off, or, get another hard disk and install
to that, then copy the data back to the new drive after the install.

Backups that go to the same physical hard disk as the orginal data are
basically of no value. They will be just as inaccessible as the original
files when the drive crashes.

Do not use that approach.

HTH
-pk

[sandy58]

On Jun 4, 7:33

[bob harris]

In addition to the other responses, note that the XP CDROM is bootable, thus
can be installed without any DOS-type prompt. In fact, one can install XP
on an unformatted hard drive, since XP will do the formatting for you.

If you have a retail version of XP, then you should try a "repair" install
(preserves your files and programs) before a clean install (formats then
installs. I have heard that a few name-brand CDs will also do this.
Unfortunately, the sort of OEM CD that one can buy for about half the price
of the retail CD does not support this option. Here are some links about
repair installs:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -us;315341

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

http://www.extremetech.com/print_articl ... 979,00.asp

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Repair-W ... -t138.html

As for the suggestion to try CHKDSK C: /R via the recovery console, that is
even a better idea than a reinstall. It should not hurt and might help.
The recovery console is an option on the XP CDROM. Or, you can run it form
a floppy set downloadable free from Microsoft. Here are some links about
the recovery console:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/wxprcons.htm

http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy33.htm (near bottom)

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

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058



"Slider76" <Slider76@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D9D7F4A5-B0C3-4FF7-881C-E62DDAE47026@microsoft.com...
>I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
> product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I did.
> Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error message
> stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
>
> <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
>
> It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy this
> one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
> message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
>
> Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
>
> 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get
> a
> prompt?
> 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
> existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other
> programs/files
> intact?
> 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
> removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
> drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
> salvage all of my data?
> 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
> drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
>
> My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
> isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook might
> be
> a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go to
> the hard drive.

[markmckee601]

db wrote:
> you might first
> try a chkdsk /p
> via the recovery
> console via the
> boot win cd.
>
> the chkdsk will
> reconcile the mft
> to the file system
> and perhaps find
> the missing file.
>
> if the chkdsk proves
> unfruitful, then a
> repair install should
> resolve the issue.
>
> incidentally, I have seen
> these hal errors occur
> when there is more than
> one os installed.
>
In my experience it is never a good idea to do anything other than to
use chkdsk to try and repair the filesystem until the data has been
recovered. In my opinion the best way to do this would be do download a
copy of a linux livecd and then copy the data across to the HP MyBook
over the network.

USB Enclosure = $10 - $20
CD-R = $0.25

Ubuntu/Kubuntu would probably be your best bet as i find it is easier to
use compared to other distributions.

You can also check the hard drive using the badblocks program.

I came across this page and might be of some use

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-461084.html

[slider76]

"Slider76" wrote:

> I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
> product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I did.
> Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error message
> stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
>
> <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
>
> It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy this
> one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
> message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
>
> Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
>
> 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get a
> prompt?
> 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
> existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other programs/files
> intact?
> 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
> removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
> drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
> salvage all of my data?
> 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
> drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
>
> My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
> isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook might be
> a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go to
> the hard drive.

Thank you to everyone that offered advice for my problem. I used it all
starting with the least intrusive, chkdsk \p. That did find errors but could
not rectify them. In the end my only solution was to reinstall WinXP and now
of course, I must spend a few more hours reinstalling all my programs and
retrieving backed up files from my external hard disk.

One more question before I start this process:

Because this was a complete reinstall of WinXP, even though the OS does not
recognize any of the originally installed programs, they are all still there.
Is there an easy way of deleting all these program files so when I reinstall
each program there are not duplicates of all the files, taking up my hard
drive space and possibly creating conflicts? Or is this strictly a manual
task, deleting each directory individually in Windows Explorer?

[richard in az]

"Slider76" <Slider76@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:81017C68-3A12-4174-A9BB-A788CD64FB75@microsoft.com...
|
|
| "Slider76" wrote:
|
| > I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
| > product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I did.
| > Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error message
| > stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
| >
| > <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
| >
| > It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy this
| > one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
| > message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
| >
| > Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
| >
| > 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get a
| > prompt?
| > 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
| > existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other programs/files
| > intact?
| > 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
| > removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
| > drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
| > salvage all of my data?
| > 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
| > drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
| >
| > My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
| > isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook might be
| > a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go to
| > the hard drive.
|
| Thank you to everyone that offered advice for my problem. I used it all
| starting with the least intrusive, chkdsk \p. That did find errors but could
| not rectify them. In the end my only solution was to reinstall WinXP and now
| of course, I must spend a few more hours reinstalling all my programs and
| retrieving backed up files from my external hard disk.
|
| One more question before I start this process:
|
| Because this was a complete reinstall of WinXP, even though the OS does not
| recognize any of the originally installed programs, they are all still there.
| Is there an easy way of deleting all these program files so when I reinstall
| each program there are not duplicates of all the files, taking up my hard
| drive space and possibly creating conflicts? Or is this strictly a manual
| task, deleting each directory individually in Windows Explorer?

Had you done a clean installation, it would have reformatted your drive and you would have no
conflicts.

[anna]

> "Slider76" wrote:
>
>> I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
>> product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I
>> did.
>> Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error
>> message
>> stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
>>
>> <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
>>
>> It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy
>> this
>> one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
>> message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
>>
>> Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
>>
>> 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get
>> a
>> prompt?
>> 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
>> existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other
>> programs/files
>> intact?
>> 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
>> removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
>> drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
>> salvage all of my data?
>> 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
>> drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
>>
>> My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
>> isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook
>> might be
>> a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go
>> to
>> the hard drive.


"Slider76" <Slider76@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:81017C68-3A12-4174-A9BB-A788CD64FB75@microsoft.com...
> Thank you to everyone that offered advice for my problem. I used it all
> starting with the least intrusive, chkdsk \p. That did find errors but
> could
> not rectify them. In the end my only solution was to reinstall WinXP and
> now
> of course, I must spend a few more hours reinstalling all my programs and
> retrieving backed up files from my external hard disk.
>
> One more question before I start this process:
>
> Because this was a complete reinstall of WinXP, even though the OS does
> not
> recognize any of the originally installed programs, they are all still
> there.
> Is there an easy way of deleting all these program files so when I
> reinstall
> each program there are not duplicates of all the files, taking up my hard
> drive space and possibly creating conflicts? Or is this strictly a manual
> task, deleting each directory individually in Windows Explorer?


Slider...
Ordinarily a "reinstall" of the XP OS (if successful, as apparently it was
in your case), would retain the installed programs as well as the user's
personal data. So it's a bit puzzling that you indicate that following this
process "the originally installed programs...are still there", yet you
indicate the OS "does not recognize" any of those programs. And since you
also mention the need of "retrieving backed up files from my external hard
disk" I take it those files (personal data files?) were also missing
following the reinstall of the OS.

Anyway, be that as it may...

It probably would be wise for you to delete each existing program via the
Control Panel's Add or Remove Programs utility and reinstall each program on
a one-by-one basis. I assume this would not be too onerous a chore for you.
Generally speaking it is not wise to uninstall program folders/files through
Windows Explorer. All too often "debris" is left behind that will cause
future problems. On the other hand should the program folder contain an
"uninstall" type of file, that can be used to do the job. But using Add or
Remove Programs is the tried & true way to uninstall programs.

But the *real* purpose of my post is to encourage you to consider using a
disk-imaging or disk-cloning program in the future to establish & maintain a
*comprehensive* backup strategy. Especially in view of your passing comment
about "business email". Obviously since you're using your PC for commercial
purposes it nearly goes without saying that *all* the data on that machine
is crucial to you.

I think you would be much better served by utilizing a backup program that
not only backed-up your data files (as presumably you're now doing using a
USB external HDD), but backed up your *entire* system, including your OS,
all your programs & applications, and all your personal data files &
folders. In effect a precise copy of your day-to-day working HDD. Think of
how valuable this methodology would have been considering the problem you
recently ran into. You could have restored your system with a minimum of
fuss & time had you available a clone or disk-image of your system.

My personal choice for this type of backup program is the Casper 5
disk-cloning program. But there are other similar programs to choose from as
well.
Anna

[slider76]

Agreed, but I thought I could get away with a "repair" which I understood
would keep all my programs/files intact. And that's what I thought I was
doing. It was only after everything was complete that I realized when I
started XP and clicked on programs, there was nothing there.

"Richard in AZ" wrote:

>
> "Slider76" <Slider76@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:81017C68-3A12-4174-A9BB-A788CD64FB75@microsoft.com...
> |
> |
> | "Slider76" wrote:
> |
> | > I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
> | > product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I did.
> | > Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error message
> | > stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
> | >
> | > <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
> | >
> | > It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy this
> | > one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
> | > message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
> | >
> | > Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
> | >
> | > 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get a
> | > prompt?
> | > 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
> | > existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other programs/files
> | > intact?
> | > 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
> | > removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
> | > drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
> | > salvage all of my data?
> | > 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
> | > drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
> | >
> | > My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
> | > isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook might be
> | > a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go to
> | > the hard drive.
> |
> | Thank you to everyone that offered advice for my problem. I used it all
> | starting with the least intrusive, chkdsk \p. That did find errors but could
> | not rectify them. In the end my only solution was to reinstall WinXP and now
> | of course, I must spend a few more hours reinstalling all my programs and
> | retrieving backed up files from my external hard disk.
> |
> | One more question before I start this process:
> |
> | Because this was a complete reinstall of WinXP, even though the OS does not
> | recognize any of the originally installed programs, they are all still there.
> | Is there an easy way of deleting all these program files so when I reinstall
> | each program there are not duplicates of all the files, taking up my hard
> | drive space and possibly creating conflicts? Or is this strictly a manual
> | task, deleting each directory individually in Windows Explorer?
>
> Had you done a clean installation, it would have reformatted your drive and you would have no
> conflicts.
>
>
>

[slider76]

Thank you for the advice regarding disk cloning. I had not considered it
before now but will certainly look into it once I get my machine rebuilt.

Regarding the XP install, I thought I was doing a repair based on the
instructions I was following from MS articles. But once complete and my
system rebooted it appeared to be a clean install as I had to go through the
set up procedure. When I click on "Programs", there are only the default XP
programs listed but none of my installed programs.

However, when I browse the directory in Windows Explorer, all of the
installed program folders are there complete with files. I tried clicking on
the exe files in several of these programs but the error said there is no
serial number, key or missing files. Also, when I go into "Add or Remove
Programs", there is nothing listed.

"Anna" wrote:

>
> > "Slider76" wrote:
> >
> >> I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
> >> product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I
> >> did.
> >> Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error
> >> message
> >> stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
> >>
> >> <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
> >>
> >> It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy
> >> this
> >> one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
> >> message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
> >>
> >> Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
> >>
> >> 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get
> >> a
> >> prompt?
> >> 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
> >> existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other
> >> programs/files
> >> intact?
> >> 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
> >> removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
> >> drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
> >> salvage all of my data?
> >> 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
> >> drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
> >>
> >> My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
> >> isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook
> >> might be
> >> a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go
> >> to
> >> the hard drive.
>
>
> "Slider76" <Slider76@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:81017C68-3A12-4174-A9BB-A788CD64FB75@microsoft.com...
> > Thank you to everyone that offered advice for my problem. I used it all
> > starting with the least intrusive, chkdsk \p. That did find errors but
> > could
> > not rectify them. In the end my only solution was to reinstall WinXP and
> > now
> > of course, I must spend a few more hours reinstalling all my programs and
> > retrieving backed up files from my external hard disk.
> >
> > One more question before I start this process:
> >
> > Because this was a complete reinstall of WinXP, even though the OS does
> > not
> > recognize any of the originally installed programs, they are all still
> > there.
> > Is there an easy way of deleting all these program files so when I
> > reinstall
> > each program there are not duplicates of all the files, taking up my hard
> > drive space and possibly creating conflicts? Or is this strictly a manual
> > task, deleting each directory individually in Windows Explorer?
>
>
> Slider...
> Ordinarily a "reinstall" of the XP OS (if successful, as apparently it was
> in your case), would retain the installed programs as well as the user's
> personal data. So it's a bit puzzling that you indicate that following this
> process "the originally installed programs...are still there", yet you
> indicate the OS "does not recognize" any of those programs. And since you
> also mention the need of "retrieving backed up files from my external hard
> disk" I take it those files (personal data files?) were also missing
> following the reinstall of the OS.
>
> Anyway, be that as it may...
>
> It probably would be wise for you to delete each existing program via the
> Control Panel's Add or Remove Programs utility and reinstall each program on
> a one-by-one basis. I assume this would not be too onerous a chore for you.
> Generally speaking it is not wise to uninstall program folders/files through
> Windows Explorer. All too often "debris" is left behind that will cause
> future problems. On the other hand should the program folder contain an
> "uninstall" type of file, that can be used to do the job. But using Add or
> Remove Programs is the tried & true way to uninstall programs.
>
> But the *real* purpose of my post is to encourage you to consider using a
> disk-imaging or disk-cloning program in the future to establish & maintain a
> *comprehensive* backup strategy. Especially in view of your passing comment
> about "business email". Obviously since you're using your PC for commercial
> purposes it nearly goes without saying that *all* the data on that machine
> is crucial to you.
>
> I think you would be much better served by utilizing a backup program that
> not only backed-up your data files (as presumably you're now doing using a
> USB external HDD), but backed up your *entire* system, including your OS,
> all your programs & applications, and all your personal data files &
> folders. In effect a precise copy of your day-to-day working HDD. Think of
> how valuable this methodology would have been considering the problem you
> recently ran into. You could have restored your system with a minimum of
> fuss & time had you available a clone or disk-image of your system.
>
> My personal choice for this type of backup program is the Casper 5
> disk-cloning program. But there are other similar programs to choose from as
> well.
> Anna
>
>
>

[slider76]

Does anyone know the path where XP saves the MS Outlook files it archives?
Also, if I install Outlook (2003 or 2007) on my netbook, can I copy this
archive over from my laptop via USB drive and reload it back into the newly
installed Outlook on the netbook?

"Slider76" wrote:

> I just uninstalled Norton Online Security Suite in order to install a new
> product. When prompted to reboot in order to complete this process, I did.
> Now my laptop (Dell D830/WinXP Pro) will not start. I get an error message
> stating the following file is missing or corrupt:
>
> <Windows root>\System32\hal.dll
>
> It has been my experience that even if I could figure out how to copy this
> one file back into the correct directory on the hard drive, that another
> message would pop up notifying me of more missing/corrupt files.
>
> Exploring my options has brought to mind several questions:
>
> 1) Can I just reinstall WinXP using the DVD drive even though I can't get a
> prompt?
> 2) If I can find a way to reinstall WinXP, will it just overwrite the
> existing copy and recify the missing files and leave all other programs/files
> intact?
> 3) If the above is not possible or it will not reinstall without
> removing/deleting my other programs and files, can I just remove the hard
> drive, buy an external enclosure (USB), connect it to my other laptop and
> salvage all of my data?
> 4) Do external USB enclosures have to be special to work with laptop hard
> drives (as compared with PC hard drives)?
>
> My most recent backup was about 4 weeks ago to my HP MyBook so basic data
> isn't too much of an issue, however, my business email in MS Outlook might be
> a problem as a monthly backup goes to MyBook and weekly backups just go to
> the hard drive.