When my computer is fixed, I will. Right now I don’t have a working computer…
I bought a new HDD just like booglywoogly and for the same reason, i want to recover my data. I haven’t had time yet to try to get the new HDD working.
Yeah, i found the key to get into the bios, it was Del, although i thought i used another key in the past. Sorry if i’m not very clear, but i’m not a native english speaker.
As far as I know, I never had more than one OS in my computer…
That does sound like the MBR (Master Boot Record) as booglywoogly said, I think a boot.ini problem would still allow you to recover from the XP CD. What happens when you try & boot from the XP CD?
BTW I don’t know how it can be arranged. But, I’m very sure that Kishor (CAVS Dev Leader) would be very interested in the CAVS content of your dead HDD. May I get Kishor to email you in order that you can discuss this?
I hope it will be the same with me
Searching the web says it isn’t the MBR. Since even with the MBR corrupt, you still be able to get to the recovery console, via the XP CD, and do a FIXMBR/FIXBOOT.
Perhaps, Bootdisk.com can help. Based on what I got back from a search on “MBR XP”, I recommend you do the same.
How do I boot from the XP CD? I only have the option to install or repair XP.
That is ok with me, but my first priority is to get a working computer.
George
ps did I answer all questions?
I will when I have time
thanks, George
Sure, I understand that & think you answered all the questions.
Kishor will see these posts & see that he has permission to email you directly. He may, of course, choose to do it on the forums.
The web search? Yes, you’ll find posts on technical forums just like yours. It is well worth your time.
Looking at that Bootdisk site, it seems to have the answer. They even have a link to a boot CDdiskette that allows you to meddle (change, move, delete, copy, etc…) with an NTFS disks (free Avira NTFS4DOS Personal). They also have various XP boot disks. If you can get to the command prompt with one of these, then you can do a FIXMBR, FIXBOOT and/or FDISK /MBR. Of course, these commands rewrite the MBR… So, you’d loose any dual-booting that you had previously set-up.
Let me note, if you have the option to repair, have you did this or why not? It should keep all your files in tact.
Also:
Can you get a Knoppix\make a Knoppix cd? A slight possibility to access the drive, find the boot.ini file> rewrite like this…
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS=“Microsoft Windows XP Professional” /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT=“Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional” /fastdetect
Of course if only singe OS you will only have one of the two or if the same, may be in same order\switched around, you get the idea. and the (2)\windows would only be a 1 in both instances.
After you edit the file which BTW will have to be edited with a text editor, NP there, knoppix will do or even make another with all the correct info, replace Boot.ini file.
I ask about repair because you can do a false install as well, and go through until you get the option to repair the selected install. You go further than where it asks to install but you hit enter , not esc or F3. Then repair the partition. Just some options.
Paul
I tried to repair, but it says it cannot detect any HDD.
I’ll try Knoppix later maybe. Right now I got the problem that the new HDD i bought won’t be detected at all, not by bios, via raid or windows xp cd.
Thanks for all the help guys, I wish I got more time to solve all this.
George
Did you set the jumpers correctly? Did you put it as master on IDE closest to edge of motherboard, top plug? Also, get into Cmos setup to set the bios to recognize the drive. HDD auto detect if you have it, F10 save exit. Also you may want to reset the bios to original settings"fail safe" “usually” F6, F5. Also, if this fails, you can do this carefully take out your Cmos battery for around 30 -40 seconds, put it back in. This helps reset.
Paul
I’ve had a problem at times in the past (not in relation to CAVS, etc) where BIOS could not recognize the presence of a HD, in order to boot to Windows (using a boot diskette would work, tho). I was told by a computer tech that after repeated reboots (such as when installing, etc) static electricity can build up in the physical connections between HD, connectors, cables, etc.
He said to physically unplug the power, open the computer (after dispelling your own static by grounding yourself, etc), unplug the HD cable and power cable. Leave it for 15 minutes, reconnect internal cables, close cover, reconnect power and reboot.
I thought my HD was shot. I did what he said, and PRESTO! It worked like a champ. I have done it since, when that occurs (which it does from time to time). Other techies have said that if your HD isn’t recognized, it’s thrashed, but I now disagree…
You might try that.
Also, regarding how to boot into Windows from CD ~ your BIOS settings may allow you the option to set boot parameters to include CD, rather than just HD or floppy. Might check that out, too.
Hope it helps,
LM
Who told you if not recognized it was shot? lol. Obviously you found differently. Not saying it can’t happen or hasn’t but not close to always being so. I would agree about the static but they put in a new drive but still good suggestion and not unlikely. Also, being this is not a tech site, I leave out many things like properly grounding yourself else you can fry your motherboard or something else. Just thought i’d throw that in. 
Going into worse case scenario, If the drive after many attempts will not get recognized, I agree to try a floppy or some form of boot disk. Using Fdisk, if detected, can always set a fat partition and WinXP will reformat it anyway. Worst case scenario the IDE controllers are gone. I would also replace the IDE cable. If bought a new drive, do so. There are many other variables here and if need be, i’ll go through the whole thing step by step if needed and if you would like to point out anything I miss, i’m sure we’ll figure it out. Sound good? After looking at firewall questions for months, now when I get a techy question, I forget to put 90% of my answer in, loll. Thanks for catching a couple issues for me.
Paul
NP, Paul.
Having done component-level electronics repair & rebuilds in the military for years, you’d be amazed at how needful it seems to be to remind/be reminded of the basics. We get so used to doing what we do that we actually forget to do it right (and problems result…). :
LM
You are right on. I do repair PCs but I choose not to do so over the internet too much. I was on CNet all the time helping etc…but it seems real life pc repair is far different from internet pc repair. No matter what you learn, how good you are, someone out there will ALWAYS say you are wrong, users don’ t tell the truth, so much B.S. I choose not to do it anymore. I have many satisfied people with my repairs and everytime i see them they say what good work I do. On the internet, I am a low life pc repair person , lol . THis is NOT referring to this topic or the user at hand. I mean elsewhere. Anyway, my point is, I forget to throw many things in as I don’t care to do this type of thing in forums any more. I don’t mind it here, it’s only every so often but still as you said, we need reminders, lol.
Paul
In progress
ewen
Hi, I’m back with a working computer and the good thing is that I have access to my old HDD with all the data. Maybe it can help to solve this hal.dll thing.
The new HDD is S-ATA 2 and my motherboard only supports S-ATA 1, so I had to place a jumper to get it detected. And I needed to load VIA RAID driver with Windows XP CD in order for Windows to recognize the HDD.
George
Where do I send these files?
Btw, I don’t think that CAV is doing it, but whatever it is, CAV is triggering it.
George
George, I do believe their preferred method is thru the support site, here: Support. You will need to create a login there; your forum login won’t automatically work, then you can submit a new ticket. At the bottom of the page where you get to type your problem (and I’d paste a link there, to this topic), you can upload files (that’s where your log will go).
TNX,
LM
Glad to hear George.
Paul
Over in the wishlist, someone has posed the idea that it’s the on-access scanner that sees hal.dll as a virus and automatically disinfects it (thus rendering it useless), and that this comes from the on-access scanner not having a setting to stop it from automatically taking action; it’s defaulted and you can’t change it. Dunno if that’s it or not; hopefully the logs will help clear that up.
LM