Guest JClark Posted September 25, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 Hello, OEM windows XP Pro, SP2 An old Intel PIII computer has been working OK, but quit booting with the "missing or corrupt \system32\hal.dll" error message. I repaired the installation with the windows XP CD. It worked for two weeks but now has the same problem. Is this likely a "general hardware failure" (one of the causes listed on the MS support site)? Or should I try again with a repair? Also, if I replace the MB and processor but leave the same hard drives in, can I still install the OEM windows XP Pro I bought for the original machine on the new system? I seem to remember somewhere that OEM win XP is only good for installation in a single computer. Hope I'm wrong. Many thanks. Jack
Guest Malke Posted September 25, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 Re: missing hal.dll -- recurrence after repair JClark wrote: > Hello, > > OEM windows XP Pro, SP2 > An old Intel PIII computer has been working OK, but quit booting with > the "missing or corrupt \system32\hal.dll" error message. I repaired > the installation with the windows XP CD. It worked for two weeks but > now has the same problem. > > Is this likely a "general hardware failure" (one of the causes listed > on the MS support site)? Or should I try again with a repair? > > Also, if I replace the MB and processor but leave the same hard drives > in, can I still install the OEM windows XP Pro I bought for the > original machine on the new system? I seem to remember somewhere that > OEM win XP is only good for installation in a single computer. Hope > I'm wrong. I wouldn't do a repair or a reinstall until I'd tested the hardware thoroughly. Get your data backed up now if you haven't done so already. http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot OEM versions of XP are supposed to be tied to the machine on which they are first installed. If you have a generic OEM, there will be nothing preventing you from using it on the same rebuilt machine. Legally... I don't ever answer those questions. Read the EULA and make your own decision. If this is a branded OEM (Dell, HP, etc.) in all probability it won't run on an non-Dell or HP motherboard anyway so the point is moot. Malke -- Elephant Boy Computers http://www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic!" MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Guest Clark Posted September 25, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 Re: missing hal.dll -- recurrence after repair JClark wrote: > Hello, > > OEM windows XP Pro, SP2 > An old Intel PIII computer has been working OK, but quit booting with > the "missing or corrupt \system32\hal.dll" error message. I repaired > the installation with the windows XP CD. It worked for two weeks but > now has the same problem. > > Is this likely a "general hardware failure" (one of the causes listed > on the MS support site)? Or should I try again with a repair? > > Also, if I replace the MB and processor but leave the same hard drives > in, can I still install the OEM windows XP Pro I bought for the > original machine on the new system? I seem to remember somewhere that > OEM win XP is only good for installation in a single computer. Hope > I'm wrong. > > Many thanks. > > Jack Hi Jack, Hijack that's funney... lol Replace your hard drive, your drive has gone bad and your files are getting corrupted. ( I've had many customers with the same problem) As far as moving your OS, when it comes time to activate and you get prompted to call MS, just tell them you are a system builder and you are replacing it (motherboard) under your warranty, if the Feds come knocking at your door (they won't) please delete this post. Clark
Guest Nightowl Posted September 25, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 Re: missing hal.dll -- recurrence after repair JClark <jclark@nomail.invalid> wrote on Tue, 25 Sep 2007: >An old Intel PIII computer has been working OK, but quit booting with >the "missing or corrupt \system32\hal.dll" error message. I repaired >the installation with the windows XP CD. It worked for two weeks but >now has the same problem. > >Is this likely a "general hardware failure" (one of the causes listed >on the MS support site)? Or should I try again with a repair? Just a thought. . . the hal.dll message can be misleading. It's sometimes the boot.ini file that is the problem. Might be worth checking that before you change the motherboard etc. http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor.htm -- Nightowl
Guest Lil' Dave Posted September 26, 2007 Posted September 26, 2007 Re: missing hal.dll -- recurrence after repair "JClark" <jclark@nomail.invalid> wrote in message news:n3thf3df3um7ae424ip5rik4iego8rnefj@4ax.com... > Hello, > > OEM windows XP Pro, SP2 > An old Intel PIII computer has been working OK, but quit booting with > the "missing or corrupt \system32\hal.dll" error message. I repaired > the installation with the windows XP CD. It worked for two weeks but > now has the same problem. > > Is this likely a "general hardware failure" (one of the causes listed > on the MS support site)? Or should I try again with a repair? > > Also, if I replace the MB and processor but leave the same hard drives > in, can I still install the OEM windows XP Pro I bought for the > original machine on the new system? I seem to remember somewhere that > OEM win XP is only good for installation in a single computer. Hope > I'm wrong. > > Many thanks. > > Jack Keywords: "OEM windows XP Pro I bought". You have the generic version. As long as its installed on one machine, no problem. There's a long list of stuff that's suspect regarding hardware. Its all I/O associated. RAM, hard drive, the bus system for both on the motherboard and cpu bus as well. A problematic power supply (borderline) can produce similar problems. Dave
Guest JClark Posted September 26, 2007 Posted September 26, 2007 Re: missing hal.dll -- recurrence after repair On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:24:59 -0500, "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote: >"JClark" <jclark@nomail.invalid> wrote in message >news:n3thf3df3um7ae424ip5rik4iego8rnefj@4ax.com... >> Hello, >> >> OEM windows XP Pro, SP2 >> An old Intel PIII computer has been working OK, but quit booting with >> the "missing or corrupt \system32\hal.dll" error message. I repaired >> the installation with the windows XP CD. It worked for two weeks but >> now has the same problem. >> >> Is this likely a "general hardware failure" (one of the causes listed >> on the MS support site)? Or should I try again with a repair? >> >> Also, if I replace the MB and processor but leave the same hard drives >> in, can I still install the OEM windows XP Pro I bought for the >> original machine on the new system? I seem to remember somewhere that >> OEM win XP is only good for installation in a single computer. Hope >> I'm wrong. >> >> Many thanks. >> >> Jack > >Keywords: "OEM windows XP Pro I bought". You have the generic version. As >long as its installed on one machine, no problem. > >There's a long list of stuff that's suspect regarding hardware. Its all I/O >associated. RAM, hard drive, the bus system for both on the motherboard and >cpu bus as well. A problematic power supply (borderline) can produce >similar problems. > >Dave > Many thanks to all who replied. It is not a branded machine. I put it together from some spare parts and it's done well for several years. I will try all the suggestions in the replies, but it looks grim for the old box... Most of the parts will be the same when I fix it up, including the case and much of the hardware, so I guess I'm OK with Mr. Gates. Again, I appreciate the advice.. Jack
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