Ok here is the problem, I had a system running Windows XP pro fine, I wanted to install it onto my other pc’s HD that I had just formatted. So instead of using the formatted pc to run the install I figured it would be faster if I used the pc that was already up and running and just slaved the blank drive to it. I realized my mistake when it said that it was installing XP again on the C drive. I cancelled the installed when it was partially done, and the pc runs fine now for the most part. The problem is when I reboot, it says I have a choice between “Microsoft Windows XP Pro” or “Microsoft Windows XP Pro Setup”. If I choose setup it says “Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: <windows root> \system32\hal.dll Please reinstall a copy of the above file” Now I don’t want to reformat or anything what should I do to get my pc back to normal? Also I am having trouble resizing a partition, would this be a related problem?

HI.. You say the pc runs fine.. I presume this is when you choose to boot using the win xp pro option. If so boot using this option. Once into windows.. Right click my computer and choose properties. then in the new window that appears, select the advanced tab..then select the settings tab under start up and recovery. Select edit and notepad will open, or whatever txt editor you have set for editing txt.You should see something which looks very much like this. [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect Would you copy and paste everything that you see in here into a post so I can see what it says ..which will aid me in telling you what you need to delete, to get rid of the setup prompt at boot up. BLeeM

Boot to version that works; then set it as default OS to boot; Then open the boot.ini and edit out the reference to: “Microsoft Windows XP Pro Setup" This will NOT be the "default OS to boot" - providing you have set orginal OS as default OS to boot - as detailed above. Then, via Explorer, locate (on the c: partition) the folders/files that start with the $ symbol and delete them all. They're temp folders/files used during setup and normally deleted once setup complete. On this occasion you have to do it manually. The folder name for the default (original) version is (usually) either winnt or windows - depending on what was elected at time of original installation. Typically the first version in (usually) goes in as winnt. If not sure what folders to delete then look on the Primary (c: ) partition and see what's there. Then post back with the details for both installations? Also include the boot.ini - after you have set original version to default OS to boot.

Here is the requested info Bleem. [Boot Loader] Timeout=5 Default=C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT [Operating Systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup" trvlr I don't know how to do some of the stuff that you were talking about like setting up default boot OS and boot.ini editing. I did a search for it and I found boo.ini.backup in C:Windows\pss, is this the files? Sorry but I am pretty new to this. I do however see a bunch of the $files/folders

When you boot up at present the boot-loader will, after 5 seconds (this is the time indicated in the timeout seting), boot to the incomplete XP installation; this is the version indicated in the top line of the boot.in - where it says "default". The boot.ini effectively tells the boot-loader which OS to boot to - i.e. load. The "default" is defined as the OS to boot without any intervention or choice by the user. You can also over-ride the default (and thus select another OS whilst on the boot-menu screen); use the arrow keys on the keyboard, select the version/OS you want and press the Enter key. The "default" (OS) can be changed - either by editing the boot.ini (via Notepad/Wordpad etc.) from "any" functioning OS (incl. '9x/dos); or from within NT/W2K/XP itself - once you have a normal desktop etc... Also NT/W2K/XP (once you have booted sucessfully) allow this change of default very easily via: MyComputer\Properties. Specific to W2K/XP, they allow it via MyComputer\Properties\Advanced tab and then the start-up/recovery box (bottom button on the display) - and also via the Control-Panel\system folder\Advanced tab etc.... Click on the Advanced tab\start-up/recovery button and you'll see the default operating system indicated. Click on the the dropdown arrow (right end of the textbox) and you get the list of what's installed. Highlight the original version to set is default OS (to boot); and also perhaps change the time to boot to say 15 seconds? (Personally I leave it at the default 30Seconds, but I have several OS installed...). For XP - only - the Control-panel\system folder route also allows an option to edit the boot.in. - but more on this option later? Close out and reboot (by default to the original version. Get that far and then we can clarify how to clean up/edit the boot.ini (using - or not using - Notepad/Wordpad); also what folders/files to delete from the drive - as there will a few junk items to remove. So... boot up to the boot-menu screen; use the arrow keys (right of the main keyboard keys) to drop down to the line immediately below the [operating systems] header, i.e. to this line: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect Select/highlight that line; press Enter and you will (should) now boot to the original version. Once there go to Control-Panel\system folder and make/change the default OS to be the one you have just booted to. Perhaps initially make a note (on paper) of the line indicated above so you can more easily identify it from amongst the offerings you will have when go to make the change? Although in yiou situation it shold be pretty obvious which line it is? It's by no means as complicated as it sounds/reads. When you see it all in front of you it becomes very clear/simple... Incidentally, when it's all reset as you wish (to the original version) and the boot.ini has been cleaned up, the boot.ini will resemble: [Boot Loader] Timeout=5 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [Operating Systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect (The Timeout setting will be whatever you have decided upon.) With above info (the ammended boot.ini) you could just boot to the original version (guidelines earlier above) and then edit the boot.ini to duplicate the above version; but it's actually easier (safer...?) to use the automated options within the OS itself?

addendum: Until you have the original version of the OS booting (by default...) do NOT delete anything from the drive...; the "bunch of the $files/folders" are the junk to which I refer in my post immediately above. Wiser to leave that clean-up until all is well with original installation etc... Again its' not a frightening as it sounds/reads. All it takes is a little care, a willingness to have a look/see - and ask questions (which are clearly you're willing/able to do) - and you'll soon see how it's done and be on top of it all. Then you can help other similarly.

Thanks to both of you for your timely and thorough responses. The problem has been fixed, and you were right it’s not as tough as it sounds (as is typical with a lot of pc stuff).