[Dan207]

whoa, am I ever at my wits end.
So heres the problem. It first started with what I would believe to be a virus that attacked my boot log, or boot.ini. I then had an error saying that "hal.dll" was missing or corrupt....I extracted and replaced the file through the recovery console. THEN, I got another error stating "ntoskrnl.exe" was missing or corrupt...Once again it was extracted and replaced through the recovery console....I restarted my computer and waited for windows XP pro to load, after the screen with little blue marker...that goes from the left to the right( i guess thats the load screen), the computer then reset itself.
So then I decided to try and repair windows with the bootable cd. I used the winxp Pro cd to start the computer and when the blue screen with the options to install windows, or repair, or exit came up, I chose, install. (this is what my local computer shop suggested I do)This then moved me onto the next screen with the option to repair the install of windows. This was the option that I chose. I let the computer do its thing, and it restarted on its own, and now...after the winXP pro load up screen, it just displays a black screen with only a mouse pointer. I've tried safe mode, safe mode with networking, last known good configuration...every option available, only to get the same black screen with a mouse pointer.
Now does anyone have any clue as to what I could try and do to save my files, other than choosing to reformat my hard drive?

Thanks

 

[Flail128]

When you get to black screen, hit ctrl+alt+del, choose Task Manager-->File-->New Task and enter explorer.exe. If this gets you to desktop, then go to Start-->Run and enter sfc /scannow.

If not, you can try another repair option. Boot to CDRom, and at first prompt that asks what your choice is, choose install. It will search for install and find existing. when it asks if you would like to repair, say yes. This repair option sometimes works better, and saves your files.

Try these, and let us know. If no go, have more solutions.

 

[Dan207]

nope...that did not work because i've tried the repair already. Its after the winxp pro splash screen (loading screen), just before the "welcome" screen, it goes to a black screen with a mouse pointer. ctrl alt del doesnt work either...any other ideas?

 

[dai]

boot from the xp cd choose install
ignore the first repair option and continue with install
when windows finds the previous installation of xp
then choose this repair option
this will leave all of your files intact but you will have to reinstall any ms updates i.e. sp1 ect and probably your video drivers.
if this is the proceedure you have tried
then boot from the xp cd
choose the first repair option
this will take you into the recovery console
try
fixboot

 

[Flail128]

You can try a parallel install, boot setup and just install to c:/winnt1 as root. This will keep all files intact, but have to reinstall software. Then delete /winnt and modify boot.ini.

 

[Dan207]

ok....i like the idea about a parallel install...but how do I go about do that? Do I receive the option to choose into what directory it will install to?....some more info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Flail128]

From Microsoft site:

"This article describes how to perform a parallel installation of Windows 2000. Note that you must know your environmental requirements to complete the installation procedure.

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Performing a Parallel Installation of Windows 2000

NOTE: The Documents and Settings folder is not overwritten by this procedure.
Boot your computer from the Windows 2000 CD-ROM.
After Setup finishes inspecting the computer's hardware, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000.
Press ESC to install a fresh copy of Windows 2000. If you are installing the same version of Windows, proceed with step 4.
Press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 on the selected item.

NOTE: You can install Windows 2000 on any available partition. If there are problems with your Boot.ini file, you may want to install Windows 2000 on the same partition as the original installation. Your values in the Boot.ini file are the same.
Press ENTER to leave the current file system intact.

IMPORTANT: If you choose to change the file system, you will lose data from the partition to which you are installing.
Press ESC to install Windows 2000 in a different folder.

If you installed the original copy of Windows 2000 in the default Winnt folder, you must type the name of a different folder, and then press ENTER.
After you change the default folder to a different folder, you can proceed with the installation procedure. Select the components and settings that are required for your installation

"Parallel Install Procedure