windows wont boot?

[partyzone]

tried turning on daughters laptop and gets error :-

windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<windows root>\system32hal.dll.
please reinstall a copy of the above file

I have no idea what this is , but i have a copy of windows 7 on my own laptops external harddrive can i reinstall it from this?

thx
daz

[chucklor]

Try system restore first, by starting the system up in safe mode(start computor up press f8,scroll to safe mode and press enter, then system restore to an earlier date) because if you are not doing a upgrade you will wipe out everything on the lappy, also if you decide to put win 7 in check whether the lappy you are going to install it on is compatable ie; enough HD and ram...

[partyzone]

thx m8, but cant even get system restore

[chucklor]

Can you start it up in safe mode?

[partyzone]

no just get that error, tried with all the f buttons and nothing happens x cept bios screen

[chucklor]

what operating system is on the laptop XP, Vista, win7?

[partyzone]

it was win7

[chucklor]

I think you should be able to use your copy and opt for the repair option on installation but they may be a simpler solution,

[chucklor]

try this linkhttp://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...startup-repair

[allycoops]

What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?

If your computer's system is severely damaged and you can't access the System Recovery Options menu on your computer, you can access it using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or using a system repair disc if you created one earlier.

To use this method, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the disc or USB flash drive.

Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, or a system repair disc, and then shut down your computer.

Restart your computer using the computer's power button.

When prompted, press any key, and then follow the instructions that appear.

On the Install Windows page, or on the System Recovery Options page, choose your language and other preferences, and then click Next.

If neither the Install Windows page nor the System Recovery Options page appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

If you are using the Windows installation disc or USB flash drive, click Repair your computer.

Select the Windows installation you want to repair, and then click Next.

On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.

[partyzone]

its on a notebook, can i re - install a copy of windows from an sd card?
as no cd drive

[Fergal]

what make and model is it?
see if there is a recovery option on bootup like pressing F2 or something as it might have the recovery files on a hidden partion on the hd

[allycoops]

No, you need to make a bootable USB drive with windows 7 on,or if the windows 7 is genuine on the netbook? are you sure there is not a hidden partition with win 7 on it which you will be able to boot to and reinstall or repair

What make and model is the netbook?

[ahrp976]

can you use safe mode with command line?
you could also try hiren bootcd?

[dave2014]

If you stil havent resolved problem take a good read of this page and follow instructions, it guides you through every process of creating your bootable usb recovery drive. You will need to use another pc for the setup of the bootable usb drive. There are links on the page to all required files. Hope this helps

Windows Wont Load? Use a System Repair Disc/USB Drive to Fix Your PC | Windows 7 Maintenance | Windows Tools, Help & Guides