Tech Support > Microsoft Windows > Setup & Deployment > Boot ini file missing - windows XP fails to start in any mode
Boot ini file missing - windows XP fails to start in any mode
Posted by rhianna on December 29th, 2005


I am in deep and murky waters.
My windows XP does not start..keeps saying..Boot ini file missing

windows file system 32 hal.dll file missing or corrupt...is what it
keeps saying..

I tried starting in all modes on pressing F8...nothing seems to
work..the comp acts like it is revving up an engine..but nothing
happens.

even...putting in a OS re-installation CD....is not making any
difference..

is there any way to slavage my data...as I can seem to get past this
message...

Posted by Will Denny on December 29th, 2005


Hi

Please try the following link to Kelly's web site:

"HAL - Hardware Abstraction Layer"
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_h.htm

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

"rhianna" <sreepriya.v@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1135893043.174955.48820@f14g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
>I am in deep and murky waters.
> My windows XP does not start..keeps saying..Boot ini file missing
>
> windows file system 32 hal.dll file missing or corrupt...is what it
> keeps saying..
>
> I tried starting in all modes on pressing F8...nothing seems to
> work..the comp acts like it is revving up an engine..but nothing
> happens.
>
> even...putting in a OS re-installation CD....is not making any
> difference..
>
> is there any way to slavage my data...as I can seem to get past this
> message...
>


Posted by Ian on December 30th, 2005


I think you'll find the HAL.DLL message occurs if the bootloader can't find
the right partition on the hard-disk to load Windows from. (In other words
it's nothing to do with HAL.DLL itself, just an indication that the
Windows\System32 folder can't be found.)

Basically, the C:\BOOT.INI file contains instructions to the bootloader,
telling it where to find the OS.

If it can't be found at all, it might literally have got deleted, or else
there might be an issue like the wrong partition having been made active.

HST, the simplest explanation could be a bootable floppy, CD or USB stick
left in.. I take it you've checked all the drives and USB slots?

Main thing is not to get too hasty. Check for simple causes first. Only
take drastic steps like reinstalling if nothing else works.