I set up my system to dual boot xp and 98. I have 98 on one partition, and XP on partition 2. When my comp starts, it asks what OS to start. XP runs ok when selected, but when I select Windows 98, I get the error "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \system32\hal.dll Please re-install a copy of the above file." This is only when I select Windows 98. My boot.ini file reads as follows: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows 98" /fastdetect Does anybody know what I can do to get '98 to run now? I tried repairing XP, but that was to no avail. I can't do anything with 98 since I can't get to the partition. HELP PLEASE!

Oh, by the way, I did a search, and I know of the hal.dll problems, but none of them seemed helpful, unless I missed something.

First thing to say is that remember windows 98 cannot see NTFS partitions. So if your 98 previously had windows 98 on the second partition and then you install xp on the first with a ntfs file system then you cannot use 98. Another thing is that if you formatted the drive that had your 98 boot files. that might be the problem. My suggestion is to put all files on removable like a cd-rw,etc and then format your disks and start over fresh. Install Windows 98 on a drive. and then install xp on another drive using FAT

The line for booting Win98 (in the boot.ini) file is incorrect. It should read like this: C:\="Microsoft Windows 98" quotes and all. This tells NTLDR to go look for the BOOTSECT.DOS file in order to boot Win98.

Ok, I have another question. I redid everything and deleted the partitions, and now I just have XP on my system. I do have a second hard drive, and I was curious as to if I could install 98 on it. I wasn't sure if it was possible, and I need help configuring my computer to load up using the D: drive (the second hard drive).

Good luck. Its not something I've done (but judging from the amount of times its asked I should try it and see). There are easier ways of using a second drive for another OS. See my response to that question in post 35092. Post back if you have more questions on this.

There was another post (Win9x forum 121469) that I wrote more on trying to get Win9x on a second drive.