Serious Laptop problem

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Hoping someone may be of help.
Yesterday whilst browsing youtube the laptop froze. Had to hit the off button to shut it down.
However, it now wont even boot up and gives the error
file missing ,windows root\system32\hal.dll
and also asks for the windows start up cd.
The lappy never came with a start up cd or a windows xp cd. All was pre instaled and activated on first boot IIRC.
Have got to recovery console via another version of xp but nothing happened from there.
Also managed to install xp on a partition from same cd but now I cant get at that or the D drive with my pics and cam progs on.
Some is backed up but not all.

any ideas?

[Oldboy]

Create a recovery disk from your desktop PC. When you first had the laptop and switched it on, it should have ask you to create a recovery disk. Go into Help and support in your desktop PC and type in Recovery disk and checkout how to create a recovery disk. When you have done that find the version of the file hal.dll and copy that to the recovery disk. Put the CD/floppy disk into your laptop, then switch it on. It should boot from the recovery disk but only into a Dos screen where you need to use the command line. On the command line type in C\windows\system32 and hit enter/return. Now copy the file from you cd/floppy using the fellowing and type as shown: Copy A:\ hal.dll C:\windows\system32 hal.dll and it should replace the damaged hal.dll file on the laptop. Close down the laptop and remove the cd/floppy then restart the laptop and everything should now be OK. When doing the copy it may ask if you want to replace the original file and just click yes/OK to do so. 

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Cheers for getting back to me
I have found a restore file and the hal.dl on a usb drive. copied to a cd and tried to boot from that but no joy.
Also tried again using another xp disc. I now have 3 versions of the os showing at start up menu and the original one wont load.
I can see all my files on  d so I guess the best option would be to copy these to another external drive and then wipe/format the pc?
trouble will be how do I then reinstall the xp if I dont have a disc. the serial is no longer on the base of the lappy either

[Skhilled]

Ok, I'll take a stab at this. It's been awhile since I've done this. LOL

The usb drive probably won't work. You need a restore cd or an original xp disk. Since you now have 3 versions show up in the menu it appears that you have installed it 3 times or 2 extra times. One of those should be the original version that you wish to boot into. You'll have to try each one until you get the one that is asking for the recovery cd and start from there again. But as I've said, you'll need the recovery cd as the other xp cd does not seem to do the job.

Some laptops require the recovery cd ONLY because that is how they are configured. The recovery cd will also contain additional files such as specific drivers, etc. that will only be for your particular lappy. It may even look for something encoded on the recovery cd or it will not work. Laptops are funny that way. LOL

Try this...go to the manufacturer's website and see if you can download a a copy of the recovery cd. It should be in the support section. If not, you can possibly have one mailed to you but it may cost you a few dollars.

Like I said, it's been awhile since I've done this and may have left something out but I'm pretty sure that you will probably need the recovery cd. There are others ways to do this but they are complicated. btw, what is the make and model of your lappy?

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Thanks
the lappy is an Asus x50rl and ive just looked at the web site and found nothing.
The manual says if a recovery cd is needed then contact the retailer from where you bought it (strange)
I think I bought it from BT web site so Ive got more chance getting a kiss off the pope than any help from them.
Also found some advice on the web but as yet none has worked
How do I get rid of the 2 other os Ive installed leaving me the bad one ?

[Skhilled]

Then contact them. They probably do have it. The lappy was probably configured by BT so they should have one. No harm in trying.

To get rid of the other 2 OS, you'd have to delete them. I assume that they are installed in separate partitions so you would just need to delete the other 2 partitions. I'm trying to rack my brain on how to do it via DOS/command line. Funny, I can see myself doing it but can't remember how to get there. I'll have to google it. Give me a few to check...unless Oldboy comes back first. LOL

[Skhilled]

Sorry, mate was getting chatty. LOL

Follow the instructions to get to the command line as Oldboy instructed you before. The follow the instructions that follows. You should see all of your partitions. However, your lappy may have already come with more than one partition. They sometimes come with an extra partition to store info on it or even the recovery cd. So, you'd best be careful. Your primary partition would be C: and the extended one, if there was one would be D:. Delete them starting with the last letter, ie G:, and then reboot to see if they are gone. Do them one at a time (rebooting without the cd in the drive) to be sure that you are not deleting a partition you need. You should only have to do this twice. But I do recommend doing it AFTER you get the lappy running again or you may run the risk of losing everything.

http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/libsys/mmm/multi.htm

However, the best advice is to try and get a recovery cd. This will set you up proper.

[Oldboy]

Cheers for getting back to me
I have found a restore file and the hal.dl on a usb drive. copied to a cd and tried to boot from that but no joy.
Also tried again using another xp disc. I now have 3 versions of the os showing at start up menu and the original one wont load.
I can see all my files on  d so I guess the best option would be to copy these to another external drive and then wipe/format the pc?
trouble will be how do I then reinstall the xp if I dont have a disc. the serial is no longer on the base of the lappy either

OK. You need to get into your C:\ drive by using the command  cd C:\ on the command line prompt. Then use the copy command as outlined above. 

[Skhilled]

You think he didn't actually copy it?

[Alfonso_Frisk]

I have emailed bt support requesting a recovery cd but I wont hold me breath as Ive had issues with them before.
At the moment Im copying my d drive to an external drive so at least my pics will be secure,
Also see a G drive now wich contains hidden files including windows etc, I guess this is from one of my recent installations?
Now I appear to have stopped getting the hal.dl error. Im getting another now
,windows\system32\config\system
(bangs head multiple times on desk)

[Skhilled]

LOL, been there before. Yeah, that's prolly one of the newer installs. Do what Oldboy suggested and see if that helps...if you have not done that already.

[spinner]

You might want to read through this while waiting for another disk.


http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/a/missinghaldll.htm

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Update
In my computer I now have drives C,d and a new one G which I am using now.
I have copied over all info from D to an external drive and also copied the contents of c drive programme files
G is warning me of lack of space (how do I increase it? )
C drive is accessible but lappy wont boot to that drive.
I have carried out chkdisk on c via properties and that ran ok as did a virus scan

Now wondering should I format the c drive ?

[Oldboy]

Update
In my computer I now have drives C,d and a new one G which I am using now.
I have copied over all info from D to an external drive and also copied the contents of c drive programme files
G is warning me of lack of space (how do I increase it? )
C drive is accessible but lappy wont boot to that drive.
I have carried out chkdisk on c via properties and that ran ok as did a virus scan

Now wondering should I format the c drive ?

Have you replaced the hal.dll file on C drive?
If you have then close down the laptop and restart and press either F2 or F4 or F8, whichever takes you into your Bios and from there change the boot drive to C, save and see if that works. 

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Tried all that OB without success. Also tried  setting boot up to default settings which puts first option as removeable drive but nothing happens