missing hal.dll xp on hd

Sorry we haven't made any progress. Thanks for all your effort.
If you still want to try other things until someone, hopefully Darrell
Gorter
from Microsoft, has other ideas,
The Vista partition (3) is the 'system' partition in disk management and has
the
Vista boot file on it. It is a primary partition. Partition 1 is empty. No
hidden files. Are you able to find the Windows\system32\hal.dll on your XP
partition? What version date and size is it?
Do you still have the DVD as first in boot priority in the BIOS
Do you still have the install DVD in the drive.
Do you have any ability to change the active partition except thru a Windows
o/s

If you have the ability to change the active partition, such as from fdisk
on a floppy, you might see what your results are from making the XP patition
the active partition. Don't do it if you don't have the ability to change
it back to the Vista partition from a floppy or other means such as
PartitionMagic bootable CD.
Could you copy your boot.ini file so we could see it?

The normal boot process of XP has the boot record call ntldr, which does a
couple of housekeeping type processes, calls boot.ini and should in your
case display the boot menu with more than one system on it. Then the
selected xp system should cause ntldr to run the ntdetect.com and using the
boot path look for and load the ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll files. Since it is
not looked for until the os is selected from the boot menu, it is confusing
that you are getting it when you are.

I could email you a copy of hal.dll if the versions match mine, but I think
I read somewhere that there are two versions that are selected from at
install time depending on hardware.

"Chris" <> wrote in message
news:2C294F2D-6745-403E-9C98-...
>I checked and double checked to make sure everything was set up correctly
>and
> it was. I created the second xp option through vistabootpro creating a
> second
> option for it on the boot menu, and still get the same thing going into
> either option. I tried what you said, duplicating the boot.ini in each
> root
> location and configured them as you said. I also, just in case I wasn't
> understanding correctly, configured them the other way around i.e. I made
> the
> original boot.ini point to partition 2 and the new renamed boot.ini point
> to
> partition 3, then I made the original boot.ini point to 3 and the renamed
> boot.ini point to partition 2. Originally they both did point to partition
> 2.
> But even after duplicating them and configuring the both ways I still got
> the
> same thing trying to boot into either xp option. There was not any
> secondary
> boot menu that ever came up so I'm guessing it just doesn't even get that
> far.
>
> Chris
>
> "John Barnes" wrote:
>
>> Just to review. You have 1 connected IDE drive.
>> You now have Vista on partition 3 and it is the system drive. XP is on
>> partition 2. Partition 1 is empty.
>> You now have a copy of ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the root on
>> both
>> the XP and the Vista drive.
>> You have a Boot menu that has Vista, older version of Windows (XP) and
>> the
>> new legacy XP system entry you added from VistaBootPro
>> With both 'XP' entries on the boot menu, older and legacy system, you get
>> the same message hall.dll missing or corrupt
>> Your boot.ini on both partitions shows XP on rdisk 0 partition 2
>>
>> If the above are all correct, can we do one more test to see where you
>> are
>> failing. Make a duplicate of the boot.ini entry on both partitions.
>> Change
>> the descriptions on the new entries so you can identify them. Make the
>> second entry on both point to partition 3
>>
>> This should cause you to get the secondary boot menu, and give a better
>> idea
>> of how far into the boot process you get.
>>
>> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> news:1B091EA6-7700-4297-96A1-...
>> >I wasn't able to get back to the computer till now but, that didn't fix
>> >it
>> > either. I downloaded vistabootpro and have been searching through
>> > message
>> > boards and such to find some hope, without any luck. So if you or
>> > anyone
>> > has
>> > any more ideas let me hear them. Oh and I also want to thank you for
>> > all
>> > the
>> > help you've been, I just hope there is something to do to fix this
>> > without
>> > having to buy anything else.
>> >
>> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >
>> >> If you are lucky, restoring the boot.ini to the drive with the ntldr
>> >> and
>> >> ntdetect.com files on it will give you a boot. Just to save steps, I
>> >> would
>> >> also copy all three files onto the root of the Vista drive.
>> >> You put all files on the root of the drives. Nothing goes into the
>> >> Vista
>> >> boot file.
>> >> That you got the error you got indicates it is looking to the right
>> >> place
>> >> for the ntldr file but couldn't complete the process.
>> >>
>> >> If you only have the Vista boot file on the 3rd partition and you are
>> >> booting into Vista, that must be the active partition (should be
>> >> labeled
>> >> 'system' in disk management)
>> >>
>> >> Let me know what the results are as it may require 1 more step of
>> >> downloading VistaBootPro and adding a legacy system entry there.
>> >>
>> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:2AF3550C-14BA-4B5B-8F61-...
>> >> > The xp partition seems to be the active partition and from what it
>> >> > looks
>> >> > like
>> >> > is the 2nd partition of 3(they aren't numbered in the computer
>> >> > management).
>> >> > The vista partition looks like the 3rd partition and seems to
>> >> > contain
>> >> > the
>> >> > vista boot information. The other files when I search for them are
>> >> > on
>> >> > the
>> >> > D:
>> >> > drive which is the xp partition, but when i searched boot.ini it
>> >> > only
>> >> > found a
>> >> > backup file on the D: named boot.ini.backup, but i think that is
>> >> > the
>> >> > file
>> >> > because it contains the boot information for the 2nd partition. Also
>> >> > that
>> >> > means it should be correct in being the 2nd partition. So what it
>> >> > looks
>> >> > like
>> >> > is the empty partition is the 1st one the xp partition is the 2nd
>> >> > one
>> >> > and
>> >> > the
>> >> > vista partition is the 3rd one. Should copying those files to the
>> >> > root
>> >> > folder
>> >> > of vista fix the problem, and what is the folder that actually
>> >> > contains
>> >> > the
>> >> > information used to boot with vista? I found a few folders that
>> >> > seemed
>> >> > to
>> >> > contain boot information so I don't know exactly which folder to
>> >> > copy
>> >> > them
>> >> > to.
>> >> >
>> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Forgetting letters, I understand you have XP on the 1st partition,
>> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> on
>> >> >> the 2nd and the 3rd is empty.
>> >> >> You have 1 IDE drive
>> >> >> You are booting thru your Vista boot and have the entry for earlier
>> >> >> version
>> >> >> Please note which partition is active, which partition (1 or 2) has
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> Vista boot files, and if you have the ntldr ntdetect.com boot.ini
>> >> >> files
>> >> >> on
>> >> >> either partition which partition are they on. Look in your
>> >> >> boot.ini
>> >> >> file
>> >> >> and see if the partition for XP is correct. Should be partition 1
>> >> >> if
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> understand your setup. Get your information from disk management.
>> >> >> (control
>> >> >> panel/administrative services, computer management/disk management)
>> >> >> With this information we should be able to work out a solution.
>> >> >> I hope your computer came with a restore disk in addition to the
>> >> >> repair
>> >> >> partition. If not, I do suggest you order one just to be on the
>> >> >> safe
>> >> >> side.
>> >> >> They usually are available for under $10.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:0A85F130-F19F-45FB-9E25-...
>> >> >> > I'm booting from what I think is called the boot manager. The
>> >> >> > options
>> >> >> > listed
>> >> >> > on that screen are "An earlier version of Windows" and "Microsoft
>> >> >> > Windows
>> >> >> > Vista." I just went into the Disk Management in Vista and found
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > partition where I thought the xp recovery was is now empty. Im
>> >> >> > guessing
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > has something to do with the problems booting into xp. The hard
>> >> >> > drive
>> >> >> > is
>> >> >> > an
>> >> >> > ide and I only have the one. It has three partitions, the
>> >> >> > original
>> >> >> > two
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > were there when I bought it, that being what i think was the
>> >> >> > recovery
>> >> >> > partition and the other being the primary for everything else,
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > third
>> >> >> > now
>> >> >> > is the Vista partition. The xp partition was originally the C:
>> >> >> > drive
>> >> >> > but
>> >> >> > after the vista install it is now the D: drive and vista is now
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > C:
>> >> >> > drive.
>> >> >> > I was also thinking maybe the changing of the drive naming from
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > install
>> >> >> > may have caused the problem. I'm pretty knowledgeable of
>> >> >> > computers
>> >> >> > but
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > am
>> >> >> > definately not Microsoft certified. So if at all possible a quick
>> >> >> > walk
>> >> >> > through of the fix would be greatly appreciatted.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thanks a lot
>> >> >> > Chris
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> You don't say how you are trying to boot, but if you are using
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> >> boot menu and select the legacy drive for XP, I would start by
>> >> >> >> copying
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> following 3 files to the root of the drive with the Vista boot
>> >> >> >> file
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> it.
>> >> >> >> ntldr ntdetect.com and boot.ini You should then correct the
>> >> >> >> entries
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> the boot.ini file to reflect how you have set up your system and
>> >> >> >> where
>> >> >> >> XP
>> >> >> >> is
>> >> >> >> located. You could get better info if you said how you are set
>> >> >> >> up.
>> >> >> >> IDE
>> >> >> >> SATA 1 drive 2 drives etc and which systems are on which
>> >> >> >> partition
>> >> >> >> number
>> >> >> >> of which drive.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:88028826-D959-4404-8FC1-...
>> >> >> >> >I just installed the vista beta yesterday in a dual boot with
>> >> >> >> >xp,
>> >> >> >> >but
>> >> >> >> >now
>> >> >> >> >if
>> >> >> >> > I try to start xp it says something like
>> >> >> >> > <windowsroot>\system32\hal.dll
>> >> >> >> > Missing or Corrupt Please Reinstall . The problem is I don't
>> >> >> >> > have
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > xp
>> >> >> >> > disk
>> >> >> >> > because it is imaged on my hard drive. Is there any way I can
>> >> >> >> > reinstall
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > file or fix the problem without the actual disk and without
>> >> >> >> > losing
>> >> >> >> > my
>> >> >> >> > files
>> >> >> >> > that were already on my hard drive before the vista install?
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Chris
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

I just realized I had'nt told you earlier but it looks like the xp partition,
partition 2 is the one labeled system. I hope that wasn't stopping us the
whole time. I understand some of the labels but others I don't in disk
management. The labels after the xp(2nd) partition reads: (System, Active,
Primary Partition) and the vista(3rd) partition reads: (Boot, Page File,
Crash Dump, Primary Partition). Sorry I didn't say that sooner I just thought
I had. Partition 1 is empty and reads: (EISA Configuration). I can find the
file on the xp partition, but I also dowloaded a new one just in case that
would fix it, but it didn't. I deleted that one already but the original is
version: 5.1.2600.2180 the date modified is 8/4/2004 and it is 129 KB and 132
on disk it says. I do still have the dvd drive as first in boot priority. The
disk is not in the drive. I have used fdisk but that was in an A+ class like
two years ago and I decided to go a different way career wise, so I do have
some knowledge, but like I said haven't done anything like that in a while.
If I had to I would have to go the latter route being that I don't have a
floppy drive. It is a notebook that I'm using, I'm sure that doesn't make a
difference though. I do have partition magic though so if you could give me a
short walk through I'm sure I could accomplish it. This is what the boot.ini
of the xp partition:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP
Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
I'm guessing it doesn't matter because I made mention of it earlier but the
boot.ini file says it's a backup file. When I go into the properties of the
boot.ini file under file type it says: BACKUP file (.backup) and under the
details tab for the name it says: boo.ini.backup and under type it says:
BACKUP file. I'm guessing the labels in disk management were important
thought because the xp partition is already labeled the active partition.
Hopefully this helps a little more, and like I said I'm willing to do
whatever is needed. Also, would it be a simple fix if I had the disk?


"John Barnes" wrote:

> Sorry we haven't made any progress. Thanks for all your effort.
> If you still want to try other things until someone, hopefully Darrell
> Gorter
> from Microsoft, has other ideas,
> The Vista partition (3) is the 'system' partition in disk management and has
> the
> Vista boot file on it. It is a primary partition. Partition 1 is empty. No
> hidden files. Are you able to find the Windows\system32\hal.dll on your XP
> partition? What version date and size is it?
> Do you still have the DVD as first in boot priority in the BIOS
> Do you still have the install DVD in the drive.
> Do you have any ability to change the active partition except thru a Windows
> o/s
>
> If you have the ability to change the active partition, such as from fdisk
> on a floppy, you might see what your results are from making the XP patition
> the active partition. Don't do it if you don't have the ability to change
> it back to the Vista partition from a floppy or other means such as
> PartitionMagic bootable CD.
> Could you copy your boot.ini file so we could see it?
>
> The normal boot process of XP has the boot record call ntldr, which does a
> couple of housekeeping type processes, calls boot.ini and should in your
> case display the boot menu with more than one system on it. Then the
> selected xp system should cause ntldr to run the ntdetect.com and using the
> boot path look for and load the ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll files. Since it is
> not looked for until the os is selected from the boot menu, it is confusing
> that you are getting it when you are.
>
> I could email you a copy of hal.dll if the versions match mine, but I think
> I read somewhere that there are two versions that are selected from at
> install time depending on hardware.
>
> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> news:2C294F2D-6745-403E-9C98-...
> >I checked and double checked to make sure everything was set up correctly
> >and
> > it was. I created the second xp option through vistabootpro creating a
> > second
> > option for it on the boot menu, and still get the same thing going into
> > either option. I tried what you said, duplicating the boot.ini in each
> > root
> > location and configured them as you said. I also, just in case I wasn't
> > understanding correctly, configured them the other way around i.e. I made
> > the
> > original boot.ini point to partition 2 and the new renamed boot.ini point
> > to
> > partition 3, then I made the original boot.ini point to 3 and the renamed
> > boot.ini point to partition 2. Originally they both did point to partition
> > 2.
> > But even after duplicating them and configuring the both ways I still got
> > the
> > same thing trying to boot into either xp option. There was not any
> > secondary
> > boot menu that ever came up so I'm guessing it just doesn't even get that
> > far.
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >
> >> Just to review. You have 1 connected IDE drive.
> >> You now have Vista on partition 3 and it is the system drive. XP is on
> >> partition 2. Partition 1 is empty.
> >> You now have a copy of ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the root on
> >> both
> >> the XP and the Vista drive.
> >> You have a Boot menu that has Vista, older version of Windows (XP) and
> >> the
> >> new legacy XP system entry you added from VistaBootPro
> >> With both 'XP' entries on the boot menu, older and legacy system, you get
> >> the same message hall.dll missing or corrupt
> >> Your boot.ini on both partitions shows XP on rdisk 0 partition 2
> >>
> >> If the above are all correct, can we do one more test to see where you
> >> are
> >> failing. Make a duplicate of the boot.ini entry on both partitions.
> >> Change
> >> the descriptions on the new entries so you can identify them. Make the
> >> second entry on both point to partition 3
> >>
> >> This should cause you to get the secondary boot menu, and give a better
> >> idea
> >> of how far into the boot process you get.
> >>
> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> news:1B091EA6-7700-4297-96A1-...
> >> >I wasn't able to get back to the computer till now but, that didn't fix
> >> >it
> >> > either. I downloaded vistabootpro and have been searching through
> >> > message
> >> > boards and such to find some hope, without any luck. So if you or
> >> > anyone
> >> > has
> >> > any more ideas let me hear them. Oh and I also want to thank you for
> >> > all
> >> > the
> >> > help you've been, I just hope there is something to do to fix this
> >> > without
> >> > having to buy anything else.
> >> >
> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> If you are lucky, restoring the boot.ini to the drive with the ntldr
> >> >> and
> >> >> ntdetect.com files on it will give you a boot. Just to save steps, I
> >> >> would
> >> >> also copy all three files onto the root of the Vista drive.
> >> >> You put all files on the root of the drives. Nothing goes into the
> >> >> Vista
> >> >> boot file.
> >> >> That you got the error you got indicates it is looking to the right
> >> >> place
> >> >> for the ntldr file but couldn't complete the process.
> >> >>
> >> >> If you only have the Vista boot file on the 3rd partition and you are
> >> >> booting into Vista, that must be the active partition (should be
> >> >> labeled
> >> >> 'system' in disk management)
> >> >>
> >> >> Let me know what the results are as it may require 1 more step of
> >> >> downloading VistaBootPro and adding a legacy system entry there.
> >> >>
> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:2AF3550C-14BA-4B5B-8F61-...
> >> >> > The xp partition seems to be the active partition and from what it
> >> >> > looks
> >> >> > like
> >> >> > is the 2nd partition of 3(they aren't numbered in the computer
> >> >> > management).
> >> >> > The vista partition looks like the 3rd partition and seems to
> >> >> > contain
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > vista boot information. The other files when I search for them are
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > D:
> >> >> > drive which is the xp partition, but when i searched boot.ini it
> >> >> > only
> >> >> > found a
> >> >> > backup file on the D: named boot.ini.backup, but i think that is
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > file
> >> >> > because it contains the boot information for the 2nd partition. Also
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > means it should be correct in being the 2nd partition. So what it
> >> >> > looks
> >> >> > like
> >> >> > is the empty partition is the 1st one the xp partition is the 2nd
> >> >> > one
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > vista partition is the 3rd one. Should copying those files to the
> >> >> > root
> >> >> > folder
> >> >> > of vista fix the problem, and what is the folder that actually
> >> >> > contains
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > information used to boot with vista? I found a few folders that
> >> >> > seemed
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > contain boot information so I don't know exactly which folder to
> >> >> > copy
> >> >> > them
> >> >> > to.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Forgetting letters, I understand you have XP on the 1st partition,
> >> >> >> Vista
> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> the 2nd and the 3rd is empty.
> >> >> >> You have 1 IDE drive
> >> >> >> You are booting thru your Vista boot and have the entry for earlier
> >> >> >> version
> >> >> >> Please note which partition is active, which partition (1 or 2) has
> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> Vista boot files, and if you have the ntldr ntdetect.com boot.ini
> >> >> >> files
> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> either partition which partition are they on. Look in your
> >> >> >> boot.ini
> >> >> >> file
> >> >> >> and see if the partition for XP is correct. Should be partition 1
> >> >> >> if
> >> >> >> I
> >> >> >> understand your setup. Get your information from disk management.
> >> >> >> (control
> >> >> >> panel/administrative services, computer management/disk management)
> >> >> >> With this information we should be able to work out a solution.
> >> >> >> I hope your computer came with a restore disk in addition to the
> >> >> >> repair
> >> >> >> partition. If not, I do suggest you order one just to be on the
> >> >> >> safe
> >> >> >> side.
> >> >> >> They usually are available for under $10.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:0A85F130-F19F-45FB-9E25-...
> >> >> >> > I'm booting from what I think is called the boot manager. The
> >> >> >> > options
> >> >> >> > listed
> >> >> >> > on that screen are "An earlier version of Windows" and "Microsoft
> >> >> >> > Windows
> >> >> >> > Vista." I just went into the Disk Management in Vista and found
> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > partition where I thought the xp recovery was is now empty. Im
> >> >> >> > guessing
> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> > has something to do with the problems booting into xp. The hard
> >> >> >> > drive
> >> >> >> > is
> >> >> >> > an
> >> >> >> > ide and I only have the one. It has three partitions, the
> >> >> >> > original
> >> >> >> > two
> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> > were there when I bought it, that being what i think was the
> >> >> >> > recovery
> >> >> >> > partition and the other being the primary for everything else,
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > third
> >> >> >> > now
> >> >> >> > is the Vista partition. The xp partition was originally the C:
> >> >> >> > drive
> >> >> >> > but
> >> >> >> > after the vista install it is now the D: drive and vista is now
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > C:
> >> >> >> > drive.
> >> >> >> > I was also thinking maybe the changing of the drive naming from
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > install
> >> >> >> > may have caused the problem. I'm pretty knowledgeable of
> >> >> >> > computers
> >> >> >> > but
> >> >> >> > I
> >> >> >> > am
> >> >> >> > definately not Microsoft certified. So if at all possible a quick
> >> >> >> > walk
> >> >> >> > through of the fix would be greatly appreciatted.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Thanks a lot
> >> >> >> > Chris
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> You don't say how you are trying to boot, but if you are using
> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> Vista
> >> >> >> >> boot menu and select the legacy drive for XP, I would start by
> >> >> >> >> copying
> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> following 3 files to the root of the drive with the Vista boot
> >> >> >> >> file
> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> >> it.
> >> >> >> >> ntldr ntdetect.com and boot.ini You should then correct the
> >> >> >> >> entries
> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> >> the boot.ini file to reflect how you have set up your system and
> >> >> >> >> where
> >> >> >> >> XP
> >> >> >> >> is
> >> >> >> >> located. You could get better info if you said how you are set
> >> >> >> >> up.
> >> >> >> >> IDE
> >> >> >> >> SATA 1 drive 2 drives etc and which systems are on which
> >> >> >> >> partition
> >> >> >> >> number
> >> >> >> >> of which drive.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:88028826-D959-4404-8FC1-...
> >> >> >> >> >I just installed the vista beta yesterday in a dual boot with
> >> >> >> >> >xp,
> >> >> >> >> >but
> >> >> >> >> >now
> >> >> >> >> >if
> >> >> >> >> > I try to start xp it says something like
> >> >> >> >> > <windowsroot>\system32\hal.dll
> >> >> >> >> > Missing or Corrupt Please Reinstall . The problem is I don't
> >> >> >> >> > have
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > xp
> >> >> >> >> > disk
> >> >> >> >> > because it is imaged on my hard drive. Is there any way I can
> >> >> >> >> > reinstall
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > file or fix the problem without the actual disk and without
> >> >> >> >> > losing
> >> >> >> >> > my
> >> >> >> >> > files
> >> >> >> >> > that were already on my hard drive before the vista install?
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > Chris
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>

Just a quick test. Copy the attached file to the root of your XP and Vista
drives. If the file shows up as 'Configuration Settings' instead of the
backup file you now have, rename your boot.ini file then remove the a from
the name of this one and let me know what happens. On the one you copy to
the Vista drive add a 3 to the description somewhere so you know which
boot.ini you have if the menu shows up.

"Chris" <> wrote in message
news:7C9BAE09-B3F4-458B-A21E-...
>I just realized I had'nt told you earlier but it looks like the xp
>partition,
> partition 2 is the one labeled system. I hope that wasn't stopping us the
> whole time. I understand some of the labels but others I don't in disk
> management. The labels after the xp(2nd) partition reads: (System, Active,
> Primary Partition) and the vista(3rd) partition reads: (Boot, Page File,
> Crash Dump, Primary Partition). Sorry I didn't say that sooner I just
> thought
> I had. Partition 1 is empty and reads: (EISA Configuration). I can find
> the
> file on the xp partition, but I also dowloaded a new one just in case that
> would fix it, but it didn't. I deleted that one already but the original
> is
> version: 5.1.2600.2180 the date modified is 8/4/2004 and it is 129 KB and
> 132
> on disk it says. I do still have the dvd drive as first in boot priority.
> The
> disk is not in the drive. I have used fdisk but that was in an A+ class
> like
> two years ago and I decided to go a different way career wise, so I do
> have
> some knowledge, but like I said haven't done anything like that in a
> while.
> If I had to I would have to go the latter route being that I don't have a
> floppy drive. It is a notebook that I'm using, I'm sure that doesn't make
> a
> difference though. I do have partition magic though so if you could give
> me a
> short walk through I'm sure I could accomplish it. This is what the
> boot.ini
> of the xp partition:
> [boot loader]
> timeout=30
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP
> Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
> I'm guessing it doesn't matter because I made mention of it earlier but
> the
> boot.ini file says it's a backup file. When I go into the properties of
> the
> boot.ini file under file type it says: BACKUP file (.backup) and under the
> details tab for the name it says: boo.ini.backup and under type it says:
> BACKUP file. I'm guessing the labels in disk management were important
> thought because the xp partition is already labeled the active partition.
> Hopefully this helps a little more, and like I said I'm willing to do
> whatever is needed. Also, would it be a simple fix if I had the disk?
>
>
> "John Barnes" wrote:
>
>> Sorry we haven't made any progress. Thanks for all your effort.
>> If you still want to try other things until someone, hopefully Darrell
>> Gorter
>> from Microsoft, has other ideas,
>> The Vista partition (3) is the 'system' partition in disk management and
>> has
>> the
>> Vista boot file on it. It is a primary partition. Partition 1 is empty.
>> No
>> hidden files. Are you able to find the Windows\system32\hal.dll on your
>> XP
>> partition? What version date and size is it?
>> Do you still have the DVD as first in boot priority in the BIOS
>> Do you still have the install DVD in the drive.
>> Do you have any ability to change the active partition except thru a
>> Windows
>> o/s
>>
>> If you have the ability to change the active partition, such as from
>> fdisk
>> on a floppy, you might see what your results are from making the XP
>> patition
>> the active partition. Don't do it if you don't have the ability to
>> change
>> it back to the Vista partition from a floppy or other means such as
>> PartitionMagic bootable CD.
>> Could you copy your boot.ini file so we could see it?
>>
>> The normal boot process of XP has the boot record call ntldr, which does
>> a
>> couple of housekeeping type processes, calls boot.ini and should in your
>> case display the boot menu with more than one system on it. Then the
>> selected xp system should cause ntldr to run the ntdetect.com and using
>> the
>> boot path look for and load the ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll files. Since it
>> is
>> not looked for until the os is selected from the boot menu, it is
>> confusing
>> that you are getting it when you are.
>>
>> I could email you a copy of hal.dll if the versions match mine, but I
>> think
>> I read somewhere that there are two versions that are selected from at
>> install time depending on hardware.
>>
>> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> news:2C294F2D-6745-403E-9C98-...
>> >I checked and double checked to make sure everything was set up
>> >correctly
>> >and
>> > it was. I created the second xp option through vistabootpro creating a
>> > second
>> > option for it on the boot menu, and still get the same thing going into
>> > either option. I tried what you said, duplicating the boot.ini in each
>> > root
>> > location and configured them as you said. I also, just in case I wasn't
>> > understanding correctly, configured them the other way around i.e. I
>> > made
>> > the
>> > original boot.ini point to partition 2 and the new renamed boot.ini
>> > point
>> > to
>> > partition 3, then I made the original boot.ini point to 3 and the
>> > renamed
>> > boot.ini point to partition 2. Originally they both did point to
>> > partition
>> > 2.
>> > But even after duplicating them and configuring the both ways I still
>> > got
>> > the
>> > same thing trying to boot into either xp option. There was not any
>> > secondary
>> > boot menu that ever came up so I'm guessing it just doesn't even get
>> > that
>> > far.
>> >
>> > Chris
>> >
>> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Just to review. You have 1 connected IDE drive.
>> >> You now have Vista on partition 3 and it is the system drive. XP is
>> >> on
>> >> partition 2. Partition 1 is empty.
>> >> You now have a copy of ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the root on
>> >> both
>> >> the XP and the Vista drive.
>> >> You have a Boot menu that has Vista, older version of Windows (XP) and
>> >> the
>> >> new legacy XP system entry you added from VistaBootPro
>> >> With both 'XP' entries on the boot menu, older and legacy system, you
>> >> get
>> >> the same message hall.dll missing or corrupt
>> >> Your boot.ini on both partitions shows XP on rdisk 0 partition 2
>> >>
>> >> If the above are all correct, can we do one more test to see where you
>> >> are
>> >> failing. Make a duplicate of the boot.ini entry on both partitions.
>> >> Change
>> >> the descriptions on the new entries so you can identify them. Make
>> >> the
>> >> second entry on both point to partition 3
>> >>
>> >> This should cause you to get the secondary boot menu, and give a
>> >> better
>> >> idea
>> >> of how far into the boot process you get.
>> >>
>> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:1B091EA6-7700-4297-96A1-...
>> >> >I wasn't able to get back to the computer till now but, that didn't
>> >> >fix
>> >> >it
>> >> > either. I downloaded vistabootpro and have been searching through
>> >> > message
>> >> > boards and such to find some hope, without any luck. So if you or
>> >> > anyone
>> >> > has
>> >> > any more ideas let me hear them. Oh and I also want to thank you for
>> >> > all
>> >> > the
>> >> > help you've been, I just hope there is something to do to fix this
>> >> > without
>> >> > having to buy anything else.
>> >> >
>> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> If you are lucky, restoring the boot.ini to the drive with the
>> >> >> ntldr
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> ntdetect.com files on it will give you a boot. Just to save steps,
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> would
>> >> >> also copy all three files onto the root of the Vista drive.
>> >> >> You put all files on the root of the drives. Nothing goes into the
>> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> boot file.
>> >> >> That you got the error you got indicates it is looking to the right
>> >> >> place
>> >> >> for the ntldr file but couldn't complete the process.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> If you only have the Vista boot file on the 3rd partition and you
>> >> >> are
>> >> >> booting into Vista, that must be the active partition (should be
>> >> >> labeled
>> >> >> 'system' in disk management)
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Let me know what the results are as it may require 1 more step of
>> >> >> downloading VistaBootPro and adding a legacy system entry there.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:2AF3550C-14BA-4B5B-8F61-...
>> >> >> > The xp partition seems to be the active partition and from what
>> >> >> > it
>> >> >> > looks
>> >> >> > like
>> >> >> > is the 2nd partition of 3(they aren't numbered in the computer
>> >> >> > management).
>> >> >> > The vista partition looks like the 3rd partition and seems to
>> >> >> > contain
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > vista boot information. The other files when I search for them
>> >> >> > are
>> >> >> > on
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > D:
>> >> >> > drive which is the xp partition, but when i searched boot.ini it
>> >> >> > only
>> >> >> > found a
>> >> >> > backup file on the D: named boot.ini.backup, but i think that is
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > file
>> >> >> > because it contains the boot information for the 2nd partition.
>> >> >> > Also
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > means it should be correct in being the 2nd partition. So what it
>> >> >> > looks
>> >> >> > like
>> >> >> > is the empty partition is the 1st one the xp partition is the 2nd
>> >> >> > one
>> >> >> > and
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > vista partition is the 3rd one. Should copying those files to the
>> >> >> > root
>> >> >> > folder
>> >> >> > of vista fix the problem, and what is the folder that actually
>> >> >> > contains
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > information used to boot with vista? I found a few folders that
>> >> >> > seemed
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > contain boot information so I don't know exactly which folder to
>> >> >> > copy
>> >> >> > them
>> >> >> > to.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Forgetting letters, I understand you have XP on the 1st
>> >> >> >> partition,
>> >> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> the 2nd and the 3rd is empty.
>> >> >> >> You have 1 IDE drive
>> >> >> >> You are booting thru your Vista boot and have the entry for
>> >> >> >> earlier
>> >> >> >> version
>> >> >> >> Please note which partition is active, which partition (1 or 2)
>> >> >> >> has
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> Vista boot files, and if you have the ntldr ntdetect.com
>> >> >> >> boot.ini
>> >> >> >> files
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> either partition which partition are they on. Look in your
>> >> >> >> boot.ini
>> >> >> >> file
>> >> >> >> and see if the partition for XP is correct. Should be partition
>> >> >> >> 1
>> >> >> >> if
>> >> >> >> I
>> >> >> >> understand your setup. Get your information from disk
>> >> >> >> management.
>> >> >> >> (control
>> >> >> >> panel/administrative services, computer management/disk
>> >> >> >> management)
>> >> >> >> With this information we should be able to work out a solution.
>> >> >> >> I hope your computer came with a restore disk in addition to the
>> >> >> >> repair
>> >> >> >> partition. If not, I do suggest you order one just to be on the
>> >> >> >> safe
>> >> >> >> side.
>> >> >> >> They usually are available for under $10.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:0A85F130-F19F-45FB-9E25-...
>> >> >> >> > I'm booting from what I think is called the boot manager. The
>> >> >> >> > options
>> >> >> >> > listed
>> >> >> >> > on that screen are "An earlier version of Windows" and
>> >> >> >> > "Microsoft
>> >> >> >> > Windows
>> >> >> >> > Vista." I just went into the Disk Management in Vista and
>> >> >> >> > found
>> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > partition where I thought the xp recovery was is now empty. Im
>> >> >> >> > guessing
>> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> > has something to do with the problems booting into xp. The
>> >> >> >> > hard
>> >> >> >> > drive
>> >> >> >> > is
>> >> >> >> > an
>> >> >> >> > ide and I only have the one. It has three partitions, the
>> >> >> >> > original
>> >> >> >> > two
>> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> > were there when I bought it, that being what i think was the
>> >> >> >> > recovery
>> >> >> >> > partition and the other being the primary for everything else,
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > third
>> >> >> >> > now
>> >> >> >> > is the Vista partition. The xp partition was originally the
>> >> >> >> > C:
>> >> >> >> > drive
>> >> >> >> > but
>> >> >> >> > after the vista install it is now the D: drive and vista is
>> >> >> >> > now
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > C:
>> >> >> >> > drive.
>> >> >> >> > I was also thinking maybe the changing of the drive naming
>> >> >> >> > from
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > install
>> >> >> >> > may have caused the problem. I'm pretty knowledgeable of
>> >> >> >> > computers
>> >> >> >> > but
>> >> >> >> > I
>> >> >> >> > am
>> >> >> >> > definately not Microsoft certified. So if at all possible a
>> >> >> >> > quick
>> >> >> >> > walk
>> >> >> >> > through of the fix would be greatly appreciatted.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Thanks a lot
>> >> >> >> > Chris
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> You don't say how you are trying to boot, but if you are
>> >> >> >> >> using
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> >> >> boot menu and select the legacy drive for XP, I would start
>> >> >> >> >> by
>> >> >> >> >> copying
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> following 3 files to the root of the drive with the Vista
>> >> >> >> >> boot
>> >> >> >> >> file
>> >> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> >> it.
>> >> >> >> >> ntldr ntdetect.com and boot.ini You should then correct
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> entries
>> >> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> >> the boot.ini file to reflect how you have set up your system
>> >> >> >> >> and
>> >> >> >> >> where
>> >> >> >> >> XP
>> >> >> >> >> is
>> >> >> >> >> located. You could get better info if you said how you are
>> >> >> >> >> set
>> >> >> >> >> up.
>> >> >> >> >> IDE
>> >> >> >> >> SATA 1 drive 2 drives etc and which systems are on which
>> >> >> >> >> partition
>> >> >> >> >> number
>> >> >> >> >> of which drive.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> >> news:88028826-D959-4404-8FC1-...
>> >> >> >> >> >I just installed the vista beta yesterday in a dual boot
>> >> >> >> >> >with
>> >> >> >> >> >xp,
>> >> >> >> >> >but
>> >> >> >> >> >now
>> >> >> >> >> >if
>> >> >> >> >> > I try to start xp it says something like
>> >> >> >> >> > <windowsroot>\system32\hal.dll
>> >> >> >> >> > Missing or Corrupt Please Reinstall . The problem is I
>> >> >> >> >> > don't
>> >> >> >> >> > have
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > xp
>> >> >> >> >> > disk
>> >> >> >> >> > because it is imaged on my hard drive. Is there any way I
>> >> >> >> >> > can
>> >> >> >> >> > reinstall
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > file or fix the problem without the actual disk and without
>> >> >> >> >> > losing
>> >> >> >> >> > my
>> >> >> >> >> > files
>> >> >> >> >> > that were already on my hard drive before the vista
>> >> >> >> >> > install?
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > Chris
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>

What attached file am I copying? Also when you say add a 3 to the description
do you mean add a 3 to the name or somewhere else?
Chris

"John Barnes" wrote:

> Just a quick test. Copy the attached file to the root of your XP and Vista
> drives. If the file shows up as 'Configuration Settings' instead of the
> backup file you now have, rename your boot.ini file then remove the a from
> the name of this one and let me know what happens. On the one you copy to
> the Vista drive add a 3 to the description somewhere so you know which
> boot.ini you have if the menu shows up.
>
> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> news:7C9BAE09-B3F4-458B-A21E-...
> >I just realized I had'nt told you earlier but it looks like the xp
> >partition,
> > partition 2 is the one labeled system. I hope that wasn't stopping us the
> > whole time. I understand some of the labels but others I don't in disk
> > management. The labels after the xp(2nd) partition reads: (System, Active,
> > Primary Partition) and the vista(3rd) partition reads: (Boot, Page File,
> > Crash Dump, Primary Partition). Sorry I didn't say that sooner I just
> > thought
> > I had. Partition 1 is empty and reads: (EISA Configuration). I can find
> > the
> > file on the xp partition, but I also dowloaded a new one just in case that
> > would fix it, but it didn't. I deleted that one already but the original
> > is
> > version: 5.1.2600.2180 the date modified is 8/4/2004 and it is 129 KB and
> > 132
> > on disk it says. I do still have the dvd drive as first in boot priority.
> > The
> > disk is not in the drive. I have used fdisk but that was in an A+ class
> > like
> > two years ago and I decided to go a different way career wise, so I do
> > have
> > some knowledge, but like I said haven't done anything like that in a
> > while.
> > If I had to I would have to go the latter route being that I don't have a
> > floppy drive. It is a notebook that I'm using, I'm sure that doesn't make
> > a
> > difference though. I do have partition magic though so if you could give
> > me a
> > short walk through I'm sure I could accomplish it. This is what the
> > boot.ini
> > of the xp partition:
> > [boot loader]
> > timeout=30
> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
> > [operating systems]
> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP
> > Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
> > I'm guessing it doesn't matter because I made mention of it earlier but
> > the
> > boot.ini file says it's a backup file. When I go into the properties of
> > the
> > boot.ini file under file type it says: BACKUP file (.backup) and under the
> > details tab for the name it says: boo.ini.backup and under type it says:
> > BACKUP file. I'm guessing the labels in disk management were important
> > thought because the xp partition is already labeled the active partition.
> > Hopefully this helps a little more, and like I said I'm willing to do
> > whatever is needed. Also, would it be a simple fix if I had the disk?
> >
> >
> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >
> >> Sorry we haven't made any progress. Thanks for all your effort.
> >> If you still want to try other things until someone, hopefully Darrell
> >> Gorter
> >> from Microsoft, has other ideas,
> >> The Vista partition (3) is the 'system' partition in disk management and
> >> has
> >> the
> >> Vista boot file on it. It is a primary partition. Partition 1 is empty.
> >> No
> >> hidden files. Are you able to find the Windows\system32\hal.dll on your
> >> XP
> >> partition? What version date and size is it?
> >> Do you still have the DVD as first in boot priority in the BIOS
> >> Do you still have the install DVD in the drive.
> >> Do you have any ability to change the active partition except thru a
> >> Windows
> >> o/s
> >>
> >> If you have the ability to change the active partition, such as from
> >> fdisk
> >> on a floppy, you might see what your results are from making the XP
> >> patition
> >> the active partition. Don't do it if you don't have the ability to
> >> change
> >> it back to the Vista partition from a floppy or other means such as
> >> PartitionMagic bootable CD.
> >> Could you copy your boot.ini file so we could see it?
> >>
> >> The normal boot process of XP has the boot record call ntldr, which does
> >> a
> >> couple of housekeeping type processes, calls boot.ini and should in your
> >> case display the boot menu with more than one system on it. Then the
> >> selected xp system should cause ntldr to run the ntdetect.com and using
> >> the
> >> boot path look for and load the ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll files. Since it
> >> is
> >> not looked for until the os is selected from the boot menu, it is
> >> confusing
> >> that you are getting it when you are.
> >>
> >> I could email you a copy of hal.dll if the versions match mine, but I
> >> think
> >> I read somewhere that there are two versions that are selected from at
> >> install time depending on hardware.
> >>
> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> news:2C294F2D-6745-403E-9C98-...
> >> >I checked and double checked to make sure everything was set up
> >> >correctly
> >> >and
> >> > it was. I created the second xp option through vistabootpro creating a
> >> > second
> >> > option for it on the boot menu, and still get the same thing going into
> >> > either option. I tried what you said, duplicating the boot.ini in each
> >> > root
> >> > location and configured them as you said. I also, just in case I wasn't
> >> > understanding correctly, configured them the other way around i.e. I
> >> > made
> >> > the
> >> > original boot.ini point to partition 2 and the new renamed boot.ini
> >> > point
> >> > to
> >> > partition 3, then I made the original boot.ini point to 3 and the
> >> > renamed
> >> > boot.ini point to partition 2. Originally they both did point to
> >> > partition
> >> > 2.
> >> > But even after duplicating them and configuring the both ways I still
> >> > got
> >> > the
> >> > same thing trying to boot into either xp option. There was not any
> >> > secondary
> >> > boot menu that ever came up so I'm guessing it just doesn't even get
> >> > that
> >> > far.
> >> >
> >> > Chris
> >> >
> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Just to review. You have 1 connected IDE drive.
> >> >> You now have Vista on partition 3 and it is the system drive. XP is
> >> >> on
> >> >> partition 2. Partition 1 is empty.
> >> >> You now have a copy of ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the root on
> >> >> both
> >> >> the XP and the Vista drive.
> >> >> You have a Boot menu that has Vista, older version of Windows (XP) and
> >> >> the
> >> >> new legacy XP system entry you added from VistaBootPro
> >> >> With both 'XP' entries on the boot menu, older and legacy system, you
> >> >> get
> >> >> the same message hall.dll missing or corrupt
> >> >> Your boot.ini on both partitions shows XP on rdisk 0 partition 2
> >> >>
> >> >> If the above are all correct, can we do one more test to see where you
> >> >> are
> >> >> failing. Make a duplicate of the boot.ini entry on both partitions.
> >> >> Change
> >> >> the descriptions on the new entries so you can identify them. Make
> >> >> the
> >> >> second entry on both point to partition 3
> >> >>
> >> >> This should cause you to get the secondary boot menu, and give a
> >> >> better
> >> >> idea
> >> >> of how far into the boot process you get.
> >> >>
> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:1B091EA6-7700-4297-96A1-...
> >> >> >I wasn't able to get back to the computer till now but, that didn't
> >> >> >fix
> >> >> >it
> >> >> > either. I downloaded vistabootpro and have been searching through
> >> >> > message
> >> >> > boards and such to find some hope, without any luck. So if you or
> >> >> > anyone
> >> >> > has
> >> >> > any more ideas let me hear them. Oh and I also want to thank you for
> >> >> > all
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > help you've been, I just hope there is something to do to fix this
> >> >> > without
> >> >> > having to buy anything else.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> If you are lucky, restoring the boot.ini to the drive with the
> >> >> >> ntldr
> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> ntdetect.com files on it will give you a boot. Just to save steps,
> >> >> >> I
> >> >> >> would
> >> >> >> also copy all three files onto the root of the Vista drive.
> >> >> >> You put all files on the root of the drives. Nothing goes into the
> >> >> >> Vista
> >> >> >> boot file.
> >> >> >> That you got the error you got indicates it is looking to the right
> >> >> >> place
> >> >> >> for the ntldr file but couldn't complete the process.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> If you only have the Vista boot file on the 3rd partition and you
> >> >> >> are
> >> >> >> booting into Vista, that must be the active partition (should be
> >> >> >> labeled
> >> >> >> 'system' in disk management)
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Let me know what the results are as it may require 1 more step of
> >> >> >> downloading VistaBootPro and adding a legacy system entry there.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:2AF3550C-14BA-4B5B-8F61-...
> >> >> >> > The xp partition seems to be the active partition and from what
> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> > looks
> >> >> >> > like
> >> >> >> > is the 2nd partition of 3(they aren't numbered in the computer
> >> >> >> > management).
> >> >> >> > The vista partition looks like the 3rd partition and seems to
> >> >> >> > contain
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > vista boot information. The other files when I search for them
> >> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > D:
> >> >> >> > drive which is the xp partition, but when i searched boot.ini it
> >> >> >> > only
> >> >> >> > found a
> >> >> >> > backup file on the D: named boot.ini.backup, but i think that is
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > file
> >> >> >> > because it contains the boot information for the 2nd partition.
> >> >> >> > Also
> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> > means it should be correct in being the 2nd partition. So what it
> >> >> >> > looks
> >> >> >> > like
> >> >> >> > is the empty partition is the 1st one the xp partition is the 2nd
> >> >> >> > one
> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > vista partition is the 3rd one. Should copying those files to the
> >> >> >> > root
> >> >> >> > folder
> >> >> >> > of vista fix the problem, and what is the folder that actually
> >> >> >> > contains
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > information used to boot with vista? I found a few folders that
> >> >> >> > seemed
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> > contain boot information so I don't know exactly which folder to
> >> >> >> > copy
> >> >> >> > them
> >> >> >> > to.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> Forgetting letters, I understand you have XP on the 1st
> >> >> >> >> partition,
> >> >> >> >> Vista
> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> >> the 2nd and the 3rd is empty.
> >> >> >> >> You have 1 IDE drive
> >> >> >> >> You are booting thru your Vista boot and have the entry for
> >> >> >> >> earlier
> >> >> >> >> version
> >> >> >> >> Please note which partition is active, which partition (1 or 2)
> >> >> >> >> has
> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> Vista boot files, and if you have the ntldr ntdetect.com
> >> >> >> >> boot.ini
> >> >> >> >> files
> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> >> either partition which partition are they on. Look in your
> >> >> >> >> boot.ini
> >> >> >> >> file
> >> >> >> >> and see if the partition for XP is correct. Should be partition
> >> >> >> >> 1
> >> >> >> >> if
> >> >> >> >> I
> >> >> >> >> understand your setup. Get your information from disk
> >> >> >> >> management.
> >> >> >> >> (control
> >> >> >> >> panel/administrative services, computer management/disk
> >> >> >> >> management)
> >> >> >> >> With this information we should be able to work out a solution.
> >> >> >> >> I hope your computer came with a restore disk in addition to the
> >> >> >> >> repair
> >> >> >> >> partition. If not, I do suggest you order one just to be on the
> >> >> >> >> safe
> >> >> >> >> side.
> >> >> >> >> They usually are available for under $10.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:0A85F130-F19F-45FB-9E25-...
> >> >> >> >> > I'm booting from what I think is called the boot manager. The
> >> >> >> >> > options
> >> >> >> >> > listed
> >> >> >> >> > on that screen are "An earlier version of Windows" and

Yes to the description. Check where ever your newsreader shows attachments
and right click on the file and copy it.
OE shows it as a paperclip way over on the left.

"Chris" <> wrote in message
news:B68A7697-42AE-4FF1-9AB3-...
> What attached file am I copying? Also when you say add a 3 to the
> description
> do you mean add a 3 to the name or somewhere else?
> Chris
>
> "John Barnes" wrote:
>
>> Just a quick test. Copy the attached file to the root of your XP and
>> Vista
>> drives. If the file shows up as 'Configuration Settings' instead of the
>> backup file you now have, rename your boot.ini file then remove the a
>> from
>> the name of this one and let me know what happens. On the one you copy
>> to
>> the Vista drive add a 3 to the description somewhere so you know which
>> boot.ini you have if the menu shows up.
>>
>> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> news:7C9BAE09-B3F4-458B-A21E-...
>> >I just realized I had'nt told you earlier but it looks like the xp
>> >partition,
>> > partition 2 is the one labeled system. I hope that wasn't stopping us
>> > the
>> > whole time. I understand some of the labels but others I don't in disk
>> > management. The labels after the xp(2nd) partition reads: (System,
>> > Active,
>> > Primary Partition) and the vista(3rd) partition reads: (Boot, Page
>> > File,
>> > Crash Dump, Primary Partition). Sorry I didn't say that sooner I just
>> > thought
>> > I had. Partition 1 is empty and reads: (EISA Configuration). I can find
>> > the
>> > file on the xp partition, but I also dowloaded a new one just in case
>> > that
>> > would fix it, but it didn't. I deleted that one already but the
>> > original
>> > is
>> > version: 5.1.2600.2180 the date modified is 8/4/2004 and it is 129 KB
>> > and
>> > 132
>> > on disk it says. I do still have the dvd drive as first in boot
>> > priority.
>> > The
>> > disk is not in the drive. I have used fdisk but that was in an A+ class
>> > like
>> > two years ago and I decided to go a different way career wise, so I do
>> > have
>> > some knowledge, but like I said haven't done anything like that in a
>> > while.
>> > If I had to I would have to go the latter route being that I don't have
>> > a
>> > floppy drive. It is a notebook that I'm using, I'm sure that doesn't
>> > make
>> > a
>> > difference though. I do have partition magic though so if you could
>> > give
>> > me a
>> > short walk through I'm sure I could accomplish it. This is what the
>> > boot.ini
>> > of the xp partition:
>> > [boot loader]
>> > timeout=30
>> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
>> > [operating systems]
>> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP
>> > Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
>> > I'm guessing it doesn't matter because I made mention of it earlier but
>> > the
>> > boot.ini file says it's a backup file. When I go into the properties of
>> > the
>> > boot.ini file under file type it says: BACKUP file (.backup) and under
>> > the
>> > details tab for the name it says: boo.ini.backup and under type it
>> > says:
>> > BACKUP file. I'm guessing the labels in disk management were important
>> > thought because the xp partition is already labeled the active
>> > partition.
>> > Hopefully this helps a little more, and like I said I'm willing to do
>> > whatever is needed. Also, would it be a simple fix if I had the disk?
>> >
>> >
>> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Sorry we haven't made any progress. Thanks for all your effort.
>> >> If you still want to try other things until someone, hopefully Darrell
>> >> Gorter
>> >> from Microsoft, has other ideas,
>> >> The Vista partition (3) is the 'system' partition in disk management
>> >> and
>> >> has
>> >> the
>> >> Vista boot file on it. It is a primary partition. Partition 1 is
>> >> empty.
>> >> No
>> >> hidden files. Are you able to find the Windows\system32\hal.dll on
>> >> your
>> >> XP
>> >> partition? What version date and size is it?
>> >> Do you still have the DVD as first in boot priority in the BIOS
>> >> Do you still have the install DVD in the drive.
>> >> Do you have any ability to change the active partition except thru a
>> >> Windows
>> >> o/s
>> >>
>> >> If you have the ability to change the active partition, such as from
>> >> fdisk
>> >> on a floppy, you might see what your results are from making the XP
>> >> patition
>> >> the active partition. Don't do it if you don't have the ability to
>> >> change
>> >> it back to the Vista partition from a floppy or other means such as
>> >> PartitionMagic bootable CD.
>> >> Could you copy your boot.ini file so we could see it?
>> >>
>> >> The normal boot process of XP has the boot record call ntldr, which
>> >> does
>> >> a
>> >> couple of housekeeping type processes, calls boot.ini and should in
>> >> your
>> >> case display the boot menu with more than one system on it. Then the
>> >> selected xp system should cause ntldr to run the ntdetect.com and
>> >> using
>> >> the
>> >> boot path look for and load the ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll files. Since
>> >> it
>> >> is
>> >> not looked for until the os is selected from the boot menu, it is
>> >> confusing
>> >> that you are getting it when you are.
>> >>
>> >> I could email you a copy of hal.dll if the versions match mine, but I
>> >> think
>> >> I read somewhere that there are two versions that are selected from at
>> >> install time depending on hardware.
>> >>
>> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:2C294F2D-6745-403E-9C98-...
>> >> >I checked and double checked to make sure everything was set up
>> >> >correctly
>> >> >and
>> >> > it was. I created the second xp option through vistabootpro creating
>> >> > a
>> >> > second
>> >> > option for it on the boot menu, and still get the same thing going
>> >> > into
>> >> > either option. I tried what you said, duplicating the boot.ini in
>> >> > each
>> >> > root
>> >> > location and configured them as you said. I also, just in case I
>> >> > wasn't
>> >> > understanding correctly, configured them the other way around i.e. I
>> >> > made
>> >> > the
>> >> > original boot.ini point to partition 2 and the new renamed boot.ini
>> >> > point
>> >> > to
>> >> > partition 3, then I made the original boot.ini point to 3 and the
>> >> > renamed
>> >> > boot.ini point to partition 2. Originally they both did point to
>> >> > partition
>> >> > 2.
>> >> > But even after duplicating them and configuring the both ways I
>> >> > still
>> >> > got
>> >> > the
>> >> > same thing trying to boot into either xp option. There was not any
>> >> > secondary
>> >> > boot menu that ever came up so I'm guessing it just doesn't even get
>> >> > that
>> >> > far.
>> >> >
>> >> > Chris
>> >> >
>> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Just to review. You have 1 connected IDE drive.
>> >> >> You now have Vista on partition 3 and it is the system drive. XP
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> on
>> >> >> partition 2. Partition 1 is empty.
>> >> >> You now have a copy of ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the root
>> >> >> on
>> >> >> both
>> >> >> the XP and the Vista drive.
>> >> >> You have a Boot menu that has Vista, older version of Windows (XP)
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> new legacy XP system entry you added from VistaBootPro
>> >> >> With both 'XP' entries on the boot menu, older and legacy system,
>> >> >> you
>> >> >> get
>> >> >> the same message hall.dll missing or corrupt
>> >> >> Your boot.ini on both partitions shows XP on rdisk 0 partition 2
>> >> >>
>> >> >> If the above are all correct, can we do one more test to see where
>> >> >> you
>> >> >> are
>> >> >> failing. Make a duplicate of the boot.ini entry on both
>> >> >> partitions.
>> >> >> Change
>> >> >> the descriptions on the new entries so you can identify them. Make
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> second entry on both point to partition 3
>> >> >>
>> >> >> This should cause you to get the secondary boot menu, and give a
>> >> >> better
>> >> >> idea
>> >> >> of how far into the boot process you get.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:1B091EA6-7700-4297-96A1-...
>> >> >> >I wasn't able to get back to the computer till now but, that
>> >> >> >didn't
>> >> >> >fix
>> >> >> >it
>> >> >> > either. I downloaded vistabootpro and have been searching through
>> >> >> > message
>> >> >> > boards and such to find some hope, without any luck. So if you or
>> >> >> > anyone
>> >> >> > has
>> >> >> > any more ideas let me hear them. Oh and I also want to thank you
>> >> >> > for
>> >> >> > all
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > help you've been, I just hope there is something to do to fix
>> >> >> > this
>> >> >> > without
>> >> >> > having to buy anything else.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> If you are lucky, restoring the boot.ini to the drive with the
>> >> >> >> ntldr
>> >> >> >> and
>> >> >> >> ntdetect.com files on it will give you a boot. Just to save
>> >> >> >> steps,
>> >> >> >> I
>> >> >> >> would
>> >> >> >> also copy all three files onto the root of the Vista drive.
>> >> >> >> You put all files on the root of the drives. Nothing goes into
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> >> boot file.
>> >> >> >> That you got the error you got indicates it is looking to the
>> >> >> >> right
>> >> >> >> place
>> >> >> >> for the ntldr file but couldn't complete the process.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> If you only have the Vista boot file on the 3rd partition and
>> >> >> >> you
>> >> >> >> are
>> >> >> >> booting into Vista, that must be the active partition (should be
>> >> >> >> labeled
>> >> >> >> 'system' in disk management)
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Let me know what the results are as it may require 1 more step
>> >> >> >> of
>> >> >> >> downloading VistaBootPro and adding a legacy system entry there.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:2AF3550C-14BA-4B5B-8F61-...
>> >> >> >> > The xp partition seems to be the active partition and from
>> >> >> >> > what
>> >> >> >> > it
>> >> >> >> > looks
>> >> >> >> > like
>> >> >> >> > is the 2nd partition of 3(they aren't numbered in the computer
>> >> >> >> > management).
>> >> >> >> > The vista partition looks like the 3rd partition and seems to
>> >> >> >> > contain
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > vista boot information. The other files when I search for them
>> >> >> >> > are
>> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > D:
>> >> >> >> > drive which is the xp partition, but when i searched boot.ini
>> >> >> >> > it
>> >> >> >> > only
>> >> >> >> > found a
>> >> >> >> > backup file on the D: named boot.ini.backup, but i think that
>> >> >> >> > is
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > file
>> >> >> >> > because it contains the boot information for the 2nd
>> >> >> >> > partition.
>> >> >> >> > Also
>> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> > means it should be correct in being the 2nd partition. So what
>> >> >> >> > it
>> >> >> >> > looks
>> >> >> >> > like
>> >> >> >> > is the empty partition is the 1st one the xp partition is the
>> >> >> >> > 2nd
>> >> >> >> > one
>> >> >> >> > and
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > vista partition is the 3rd one. Should copying those files to
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > root
>> >> >> >> > folder
>> >> >> >> > of vista fix the problem, and what is the folder that actually
>> >> >> >> > contains
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > information used to boot with vista? I found a few folders
>> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> > seemed
>> >> >> >> > to
>> >> >> >> > contain boot information so I don't know exactly which folder
>> >> >> >> > to
>> >> >> >> > copy
>> >> >> >> > them
>> >> >> >> > to.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> Forgetting letters, I understand you have XP on the 1st
>> >> >> >> >> partition,
>> >> >> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> >> the 2nd and the 3rd is empty.
>> >> >> >> >> You have 1 IDE drive
>> >> >> >> >> You are booting thru your Vista boot and have the entry for
>> >> >> >> >> earlier
>> >> >> >> >> version
>> >> >> >> >> Please note which partition is active, which partition (1 or
>> >> >> >> >> 2)
>> >> >> >> >> has
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> Vista boot files, and if you have the ntldr ntdetect.com
>> >> >> >> >> boot.ini
>> >> >> >> >> files
>> >> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> >> either partition which partition are they on. Look in your
>> >> >> >> >> boot.ini
>> >> >> >> >> file
>> >> >> >> >> and see if the partition for XP is correct. Should be
>> >> >> >> >> partition
>> >> >> >> >> 1
>> >> >> >> >> if
>> >> >> >> >> I
>> >> >> >> >> understand your setup. Get your information from disk
>> >> >> >> >> management.
>> >> >> >> >> (control
>> >> >> >> >> panel/administrative services, computer management/disk
>> >> >> >> >> management)
>> >> >> >> >> With this information we should be able to work out a
>> >> >> >> >> solution.
>> >> >> >> >> I hope your computer came with a restore disk in addition to
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> repair
>> >> >> >> >> partition. If not, I do suggest you order one just to be on
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> safe
>> >> >> >> >> side.
>> >> >> >> >> They usually are available for under $10.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> >> news:0A85F130-F19F-45FB-9E25-...
>> >> >> >> >> > I'm booting from what I think is called the boot manager.
>> >> >> >> >> > The
>> >> >> >> >> > options
>> >> >> >> >> > listed
>> >> >> >> >> > on that screen are "An earlier version of Windows" and

I first tried booting into both of the xp options and then the vista option
and its all the same. I get the same message on the xp options and vista
boots like normal.
Chris

"John Barnes" wrote:

> Yes to the description. Check where ever your newsreader shows attachments
> and right click on the file and copy it.
> OE shows it as a paperclip way over on the left.
>
> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> news:B68A7697-42AE-4FF1-9AB3-...
> > What attached file am I copying? Also when you say add a 3 to the
> > description
> > do you mean add a 3 to the name or somewhere else?
> > Chris
> >
> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >
> >> Just a quick test. Copy the attached file to the root of your XP and
> >> Vista
> >> drives. If the file shows up as 'Configuration Settings' instead of the
> >> backup file you now have, rename your boot.ini file then remove the a
> >> from
> >> the name of this one and let me know what happens. On the one you copy
> >> to
> >> the Vista drive add a 3 to the description somewhere so you know which
> >> boot.ini you have if the menu shows up.
> >>
> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> news:7C9BAE09-B3F4-458B-A21E-...
> >> >I just realized I had'nt told you earlier but it looks like the xp
> >> >partition,
> >> > partition 2 is the one labeled system. I hope that wasn't stopping us
> >> > the
> >> > whole time. I understand some of the labels but others I don't in disk
> >> > management. The labels after the xp(2nd) partition reads: (System,
> >> > Active,
> >> > Primary Partition) and the vista(3rd) partition reads: (Boot, Page
> >> > File,
> >> > Crash Dump, Primary Partition). Sorry I didn't say that sooner I just
> >> > thought
> >> > I had. Partition 1 is empty and reads: (EISA Configuration). I can find
> >> > the
> >> > file on the xp partition, but I also dowloaded a new one just in case
> >> > that
> >> > would fix it, but it didn't. I deleted that one already but the
> >> > original
> >> > is
> >> > version: 5.1.2600.2180 the date modified is 8/4/2004 and it is 129 KB
> >> > and
> >> > 132
> >> > on disk it says. I do still have the dvd drive as first in boot
> >> > priority.
> >> > The
> >> > disk is not in the drive. I have used fdisk but that was in an A+ class
> >> > like
> >> > two years ago and I decided to go a different way career wise, so I do
> >> > have
> >> > some knowledge, but like I said haven't done anything like that in a
> >> > while.
> >> > If I had to I would have to go the latter route being that I don't have
> >> > a
> >> > floppy drive. It is a notebook that I'm using, I'm sure that doesn't
> >> > make
> >> > a
> >> > difference though. I do have partition magic though so if you could
> >> > give
> >> > me a
> >> > short walk through I'm sure I could accomplish it. This is what the
> >> > boot.ini
> >> > of the xp partition:
> >> > [boot loader]
> >> > timeout=30
> >> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
> >> > [operating systems]
> >> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP
> >> > Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
> >> > I'm guessing it doesn't matter because I made mention of it earlier but
> >> > the
> >> > boot.ini file says it's a backup file. When I go into the properties of
> >> > the
> >> > boot.ini file under file type it says: BACKUP file (.backup) and under
> >> > the
> >> > details tab for the name it says: boo.ini.backup and under type it
> >> > says:
> >> > BACKUP file. I'm guessing the labels in disk management were important
> >> > thought because the xp partition is already labeled the active
> >> > partition.
> >> > Hopefully this helps a little more, and like I said I'm willing to do
> >> > whatever is needed. Also, would it be a simple fix if I had the disk?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Sorry we haven't made any progress. Thanks for all your effort.
> >> >> If you still want to try other things until someone, hopefully Darrell
> >> >> Gorter
> >> >> from Microsoft, has other ideas,
> >> >> The Vista partition (3) is the 'system' partition in disk management
> >> >> and
> >> >> has
> >> >> the
> >> >> Vista boot file on it. It is a primary partition. Partition 1 is
> >> >> empty.
> >> >> No
> >> >> hidden files. Are you able to find the Windows\system32\hal.dll on
> >> >> your
> >> >> XP
> >> >> partition? What version date and size is it?
> >> >> Do you still have the DVD as first in boot priority in the BIOS
> >> >> Do you still have the install DVD in the drive.
> >> >> Do you have any ability to change the active partition except thru a
> >> >> Windows
> >> >> o/s
> >> >>
> >> >> If you have the ability to change the active partition, such as from
> >> >> fdisk
> >> >> on a floppy, you might see what your results are from making the XP
> >> >> patition
> >> >> the active partition. Don't do it if you don't have the ability to
> >> >> change
> >> >> it back to the Vista partition from a floppy or other means such as
> >> >> PartitionMagic bootable CD.
> >> >> Could you copy your boot.ini file so we could see it?
> >> >>
> >> >> The normal boot process of XP has the boot record call ntldr, which
> >> >> does
> >> >> a
> >> >> couple of housekeeping type processes, calls boot.ini and should in
> >> >> your
> >> >> case display the boot menu with more than one system on it. Then the
> >> >> selected xp system should cause ntldr to run the ntdetect.com and
> >> >> using
> >> >> the
> >> >> boot path look for and load the ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll files. Since
> >> >> it
> >> >> is
> >> >> not looked for until the os is selected from the boot menu, it is
> >> >> confusing
> >> >> that you are getting it when you are.
> >> >>
> >> >> I could email you a copy of hal.dll if the versions match mine, but I
> >> >> think
> >> >> I read somewhere that there are two versions that are selected from at
> >> >> install time depending on hardware.
> >> >>
> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:2C294F2D-6745-403E-9C98-...
> >> >> >I checked and double checked to make sure everything was set up
> >> >> >correctly
> >> >> >and
> >> >> > it was. I created the second xp option through vistabootpro creating
> >> >> > a
> >> >> > second
> >> >> > option for it on the boot menu, and still get the same thing going
> >> >> > into
> >> >> > either option. I tried what you said, duplicating the boot.ini in
> >> >> > each
> >> >> > root
> >> >> > location and configured them as you said. I also, just in case I
> >> >> > wasn't
> >> >> > understanding correctly, configured them the other way around i.e. I
> >> >> > made
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > original boot.ini point to partition 2 and the new renamed boot.ini
> >> >> > point
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > partition 3, then I made the original boot.ini point to 3 and the
> >> >> > renamed
> >> >> > boot.ini point to partition 2. Originally they both did point to
> >> >> > partition
> >> >> > 2.
> >> >> > But even after duplicating them and configuring the both ways I
> >> >> > still
> >> >> > got
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > same thing trying to boot into either xp option. There was not any
> >> >> > secondary
> >> >> > boot menu that ever came up so I'm guessing it just doesn't even get
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > far.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Chris
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Just to review. You have 1 connected IDE drive.
> >> >> >> You now have Vista on partition 3 and it is the system drive. XP
> >> >> >> is
> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> partition 2. Partition 1 is empty.
> >> >> >> You now have a copy of ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the root
> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> both
> >> >> >> the XP and the Vista drive.
> >> >> >> You have a Boot menu that has Vista, older version of Windows (XP)
> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> new legacy XP system entry you added from VistaBootPro
> >> >> >> With both 'XP' entries on the boot menu, older and legacy system,
> >> >> >> you
> >> >> >> get
> >> >> >> the same message hall.dll missing or corrupt
> >> >> >> Your boot.ini on both partitions shows XP on rdisk 0 partition 2
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> If the above are all correct, can we do one more test to see where
> >> >> >> you
> >> >> >> are
> >> >> >> failing. Make a duplicate of the boot.ini entry on both
> >> >> >> partitions.
> >> >> >> Change
> >> >> >> the descriptions on the new entries so you can identify them. Make
> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> second entry on both point to partition 3
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> This should cause you to get the secondary boot menu, and give a
> >> >> >> better
> >> >> >> idea
> >> >> >> of how far into the boot process you get.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:1B091EA6-7700-4297-96A1-...
> >> >> >> >I wasn't able to get back to the computer till now but, that
> >> >> >> >didn't
> >> >> >> >fix
> >> >> >> >it
> >> >> >> > either. I downloaded vistabootpro and have been searching through
> >> >> >> > message
> >> >> >> > boards and such to find some hope, without any luck. So if you or
> >> >> >> > anyone
> >> >> >> > has
> >> >> >> > any more ideas let me hear them. Oh and I also want to thank you
> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> > all
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > help you've been, I just hope there is something to do to fix
> >> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> > without
> >> >> >> > having to buy anything else.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> If you are lucky, restoring the boot.ini to the drive with the
> >> >> >> >> ntldr
> >> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> >> ntdetect.com files on it will give you a boot. Just to save
> >> >> >> >> steps,
> >> >> >> >> I
> >> >> >> >> would
> >> >> >> >> also copy all three files onto the root of the Vista drive.
> >> >> >> >> You put all files on the root of the drives. Nothing goes into
> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> Vista
> >> >> >> >> boot file.
> >> >> >> >> That you got the error you got indicates it is looking to the
> >> >> >> >> right
> >> >> >> >> place
> >> >> >> >> for the ntldr file but couldn't complete the process.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> If you only have the Vista boot file on the 3rd partition and
> >> >> >> >> you
> >> >> >> >> are
> >> >> >> >> booting into Vista, that must be the active partition (should be
> >> >> >> >> labeled
> >> >> >> >> 'system' in disk management)
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Let me know what the results are as it may require 1 more step
> >> >> >> >> of
> >> >> >> >> downloading VistaBootPro and adding a legacy system entry there.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:2AF3550C-14BA-4B5B-8F61-...
> >> >> >> >> > The xp partition seems to be the active partition and from
> >> >> >> >> > what
> >> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> >> > looks
> >> >> >> >> > like
> >> >> >> >> > is the 2nd partition of 3(they aren't numbered in the computer
> >> >> >> >> > management).
> >> >> >> >> > The vista partition looks like the 3rd partition and seems to
> >> >> >> >> > contain
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > vista boot information. The other files when I search for them
> >> >> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > D:
> >> >> >> >> > drive which is the xp partition, but when i searched boot.ini
> >> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> >> > only
> >> >> >> >> > found a
> >> >> >> >> > backup file on the D: named boot.ini.backup, but i think that
> >> >> >> >> > is
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > file
> >> >> >> >> > because it contains the boot information for the 2nd
> >> >> >> >> > partition.
> >> >> >> >> > Also
> >> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> > means it should be correct in being the 2nd partition. So what
> >> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> >> > looks
> >> >> >> >> > like
> >> >> >> >> > is the empty partition is the 1st one the xp partition is the
> >> >> >> >> > 2nd

Did your new boot.ini show as a system configuration file?
Starting to get low on options, but if you would like to try another couple
of easy changes.
1. Change the partition number in the boot.ini from 2 to 1 (a small chance
that the first partition is not visible) Try on both XP and Vista
partitions, though your previous post indicates that the XP partition is
your system partition. If no change with that, try one last test before it
is necessary to do more risky activities. 2. First on the XP drive rename
the ntldr file and test. You should now get the message that the ntldr is
missing, not the hal.dll message. If no change, rename that one back and
rename the one on Vista and test. At least we will know which drive we are
using the xp boot files from.


"Chris" <> wrote in message
news:3563ED55-F752-48F7-8B05-...
>I first tried booting into both of the xp options and then the vista option
> and its all the same. I get the same message on the xp options and vista
> boots like normal.
> Chris
>
> "John Barnes" wrote:
>
>> Yes to the description. Check where ever your newsreader shows
>> attachments
>> and right click on the file and copy it.
>> OE shows it as a paperclip way over on the left.
>>
>> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> news:B68A7697-42AE-4FF1-9AB3-...
>> > What attached file am I copying? Also when you say add a 3 to the
>> > description
>> > do you mean add a 3 to the name or somewhere else?
>> > Chris
>> >
>> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Just a quick test. Copy the attached file to the root of your XP and
>> >> Vista
>> >> drives. If the file shows up as 'Configuration Settings' instead of
>> >> the
>> >> backup file you now have, rename your boot.ini file then remove the a
>> >> from
>> >> the name of this one and let me know what happens. On the one you
>> >> copy
>> >> to
>> >> the Vista drive add a 3 to the description somewhere so you know which
>> >> boot.ini you have if the menu shows up.
>> >>
>> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:7C9BAE09-B3F4-458B-A21E-...
>> >> >I just realized I had'nt told you earlier but it looks like the xp
>> >> >partition,
>> >> > partition 2 is the one labeled system. I hope that wasn't stopping
>> >> > us
>> >> > the
>> >> > whole time. I understand some of the labels but others I don't in
>> >> > disk
>> >> > management. The labels after the xp(2nd) partition reads: (System,
>> >> > Active,
>> >> > Primary Partition) and the vista(3rd) partition reads: (Boot, Page
>> >> > File,
>> >> > Crash Dump, Primary Partition). Sorry I didn't say that sooner I
>> >> > just
>> >> > thought
>> >> > I had. Partition 1 is empty and reads: (EISA Configuration). I can
>> >> > find
>> >> > the
>> >> > file on the xp partition, but I also dowloaded a new one just in
>> >> > case
>> >> > that
>> >> > would fix it, but it didn't. I deleted that one already but the
>> >> > original
>> >> > is
>> >> > version: 5.1.2600.2180 the date modified is 8/4/2004 and it is 129
>> >> > KB
>> >> > and
>> >> > 132
>> >> > on disk it says. I do still have the dvd drive as first in boot
>> >> > priority.
>> >> > The
>> >> > disk is not in the drive. I have used fdisk but that was in an A+
>> >> > class
>> >> > like
>> >> > two years ago and I decided to go a different way career wise, so I
>> >> > do
>> >> > have
>> >> > some knowledge, but like I said haven't done anything like that in a
>> >> > while.
>> >> > If I had to I would have to go the latter route being that I don't
>> >> > have
>> >> > a
>> >> > floppy drive. It is a notebook that I'm using, I'm sure that doesn't
>> >> > make
>> >> > a
>> >> > difference though. I do have partition magic though so if you could
>> >> > give
>> >> > me a
>> >> > short walk through I'm sure I could accomplish it. This is what the
>> >> > boot.ini
>> >> > of the xp partition:
>> >> > [boot loader]
>> >> > timeout=30
>> >> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
>> >> > [operating systems]
>> >> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP
>> >> > Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
>> >> > I'm guessing it doesn't matter because I made mention of it earlier
>> >> > but
>> >> > the
>> >> > boot.ini file says it's a backup file. When I go into the properties
>> >> > of
>> >> > the
>> >> > boot.ini file under file type it says: BACKUP file (.backup) and
>> >> > under
>> >> > the
>> >> > details tab for the name it says: boo.ini.backup and under type it
>> >> > says:
>> >> > BACKUP file. I'm guessing the labels in disk management were
>> >> > important
>> >> > thought because the xp partition is already labeled the active
>> >> > partition.
>> >> > Hopefully this helps a little more, and like I said I'm willing to
>> >> > do
>> >> > whatever is needed. Also, would it be a simple fix if I had the
>> >> > disk?
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Sorry we haven't made any progress. Thanks for all your effort.
>> >> >> If you still want to try other things until someone, hopefully
>> >> >> Darrell
>> >> >> Gorter
>> >> >> from Microsoft, has other ideas,
>> >> >> The Vista partition (3) is the 'system' partition in disk
>> >> >> management
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> has
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> Vista boot file on it. It is a primary partition. Partition 1 is
>> >> >> empty.
>> >> >> No
>> >> >> hidden files. Are you able to find the Windows\system32\hal.dll on
>> >> >> your
>> >> >> XP
>> >> >> partition? What version date and size is it?
>> >> >> Do you still have the DVD as first in boot priority in the BIOS
>> >> >> Do you still have the install DVD in the drive.
>> >> >> Do you have any ability to change the active partition except thru
>> >> >> a
>> >> >> Windows
>> >> >> o/s
>> >> >>
>> >> >> If you have the ability to change the active partition, such as
>> >> >> from
>> >> >> fdisk
>> >> >> on a floppy, you might see what your results are from making the XP
>> >> >> patition
>> >> >> the active partition. Don't do it if you don't have the ability to
>> >> >> change
>> >> >> it back to the Vista partition from a floppy or other means such as
>> >> >> PartitionMagic bootable CD.
>> >> >> Could you copy your boot.ini file so we could see it?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> The normal boot process of XP has the boot record call ntldr, which
>> >> >> does
>> >> >> a
>> >> >> couple of housekeeping type processes, calls boot.ini and should in
>> >> >> your
>> >> >> case display the boot menu with more than one system on it. Then
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> selected xp system should cause ntldr to run the ntdetect.com and
>> >> >> using
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> boot path look for and load the ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll files.
>> >> >> Since
>> >> >> it
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> not looked for until the os is selected from the boot menu, it is
>> >> >> confusing
>> >> >> that you are getting it when you are.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I could email you a copy of hal.dll if the versions match mine, but
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> think
>> >> >> I read somewhere that there are two versions that are selected from
>> >> >> at
>> >> >> install time depending on hardware.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:2C294F2D-6745-403E-9C98-...
>> >> >> >I checked and double checked to make sure everything was set up
>> >> >> >correctly
>> >> >> >and
>> >> >> > it was. I created the second xp option through vistabootpro
>> >> >> > creating
>> >> >> > a
>> >> >> > second
>> >> >> > option for it on the boot menu, and still get the same thing
>> >> >> > going
>> >> >> > into
>> >> >> > either option. I tried what you said, duplicating the boot.ini in
>> >> >> > each
>> >> >> > root
>> >> >> > location and configured them as you said. I also, just in case I
>> >> >> > wasn't
>> >> >> > understanding correctly, configured them the other way around
>> >> >> > i.e. I
>> >> >> > made
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > original boot.ini point to partition 2 and the new renamed
>> >> >> > boot.ini
>> >> >> > point
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > partition 3, then I made the original boot.ini point to 3 and the
>> >> >> > renamed
>> >> >> > boot.ini point to partition 2. Originally they both did point to
>> >> >> > partition
>> >> >> > 2.
>> >> >> > But even after duplicating them and configuring the both ways I
>> >> >> > still
>> >> >> > got
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > same thing trying to boot into either xp option. There was not
>> >> >> > any
>> >> >> > secondary
>> >> >> > boot menu that ever came up so I'm guessing it just doesn't even
>> >> >> > get
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > far.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Chris
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Just to review. You have 1 connected IDE drive.
>> >> >> >> You now have Vista on partition 3 and it is the system drive.
>> >> >> >> XP
>> >> >> >> is
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> partition 2. Partition 1 is empty.
>> >> >> >> You now have a copy of ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the
>> >> >> >> root
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> both
>> >> >> >> the XP and the Vista drive.
>> >> >> >> You have a Boot menu that has Vista, older version of Windows
>> >> >> >> (XP)
>> >> >> >> and
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> new legacy XP system entry you added from VistaBootPro
>> >> >> >> With both 'XP' entries on the boot menu, older and legacy
>> >> >> >> system,
>> >> >> >> you
>> >> >> >> get
>> >> >> >> the same message hall.dll missing or corrupt
>> >> >> >> Your boot.ini on both partitions shows XP on rdisk 0 partition 2
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> If the above are all correct, can we do one more test to see
>> >> >> >> where
>> >> >> >> you
>> >> >> >> are
>> >> >> >> failing. Make a duplicate of the boot.ini entry on both
>> >> >> >> partitions.
>> >> >> >> Change
>> >> >> >> the descriptions on the new entries so you can identify them.
>> >> >> >> Make
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> second entry on both point to partition 3
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> This should cause you to get the secondary boot menu, and give a
>> >> >> >> better
>> >> >> >> idea
>> >> >> >> of how far into the boot process you get.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:1B091EA6-7700-4297-96A1-...
>> >> >> >> >I wasn't able to get back to the computer till now but, that
>> >> >> >> >didn't
>> >> >> >> >fix
>> >> >> >> >it
>> >> >> >> > either. I downloaded vistabootpro and have been searching
>> >> >> >> > through
>> >> >> >> > message
>> >> >> >> > boards and such to find some hope, without any luck. So if you
>> >> >> >> > or
>> >> >> >> > anyone
>> >> >> >> > has
>> >> >> >> > any more ideas let me hear them. Oh and I also want to thank
>> >> >> >> > you
>> >> >> >> > for
>> >> >> >> > all
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > help you've been, I just hope there is something to do to fix
>> >> >> >> > this
>> >> >> >> > without
>> >> >> >> > having to buy anything else.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > "John Barnes" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> If you are lucky, restoring the boot.ini to the drive with
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> ntldr
>> >> >> >> >> and
>> >> >> >> >> ntdetect.com files on it will give you a boot. Just to save
>> >> >> >> >> steps,
>> >> >> >> >> I
>> >> >> >> >> would
>> >> >> >> >> also copy all three files onto the root of the Vista drive.
>> >> >> >> >> You put all files on the root of the drives. Nothing goes
>> >> >> >> >> into
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> >> >> boot file.
>> >> >> >> >> That you got the error you got indicates it is looking to the
>> >> >> >> >> right
>> >> >> >> >> place
>> >> >> >> >> for the ntldr file but couldn't complete the process.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> If you only have the Vista boot file on the 3rd partition and
>> >> >> >> >> you
>> >> >> >> >> are
>> >> >> >> >> booting into Vista, that must be the active partition (should
>> >> >> >> >> be
>> >> >> >> >> labeled
>> >> >> >> >> 'system' in disk management)
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> Let me know what the results are as it may require 1 more
>> >> >> >> >> step
>> >> >> >> >> of
>> >> >> >> >> downloading VistaBootPro and adding a legacy system entry
>> >> >> >> >> there.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> "Chris" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> >> news:2AF3550C-14BA-4B5B-8F61-...
>> >> >> >> >> > The xp partition seems to be the active partition and from
>> >> >> >> >> > what
>> >> >> >> >> > it
>> >> >> >> >> > looks
>> >> >> >> >> > like
>> >> >> >> >> > is the 2nd partition of 3(they aren't numbered in the
>> >> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> >> > management).
>> >> >> >> >> > The vista partition looks like the 3rd partition and seems
>> >> >> >> >> > to
>> >> >> >> >> > contain
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > vista boot information. The other files when I search for
>> >> >> >> >> > them
>> >> >> >> >> > are
>> >> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > D:
>> >> >> >> >> > drive which is the xp partition, but when i searched
>> >> >> >> >> > boot.ini
>> >> >> >> >> > it
>> >> >> >> >> > only
>> >> >> >> >> > found a
>> >> >> >> >> > backup file on the D: named boot.ini.backup, but i think
>> >> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> >> > is
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > file
>> >> >> >> >> > because it contains the boot information for the 2nd
>> >> >> >> >> > partition.
>> >> >> >> >> > Also
>> >> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> >> > means it should be correct in being the 2nd partition. So
>> >> >> >> >> > what
>> >> >> >> >> > it
>> >> >> >> >> > looks
>> >> >> >> >> > like
>> >> >> >> >> > is the empty partition is the 1st one the xp partition is
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > 2nd