Windows 7: Windows 7 Will Not Boot

I have a 6 year old Dell Laptop that I upgraded with a newer 300 GB hard drive and Windows 7 Professional. It worked fine for about 2 months up until a week ago when I got this error message:

Windows Failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1.Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer
2. Choose your language setting and then click "next"
3. Click "repair your computer"

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File:\windows\system32\halmacpi.dll
Status: 0xc0000098
Info: Windows failed to load because the HAL is missing or corrupt.


I have run startup repair numerous times to avail. I have attempted to restore it to a restore point with no success and I am now out of ideas. Please Note: the system does not boot past this screen, so options like safe mode and last known good configuration will not work (as I have tried them all). I'm trying to avoid wiping the system clean, but it is my absolute last resort. I appreciate any and all help that anyone is able to provide.



Thank You,

Marcus

Hello Zigride, welcome to SF!

I'm a bit surprised by your statement that you cannot get into SafeMode. Is that really what you mean or do you mean that you "have tried it and it does not help"?

You say you installed Windows 7 yourself before. What did you use? A cd disc? If you boot with that CD, what happens?

Thank You for the warm welcome! Unfortunately, I mean that I can not get into safe mode. When I attempt to do so, the computer gives me the same Windows Boot Manager Error as described in my initial posting. I used a Windows 7 DVD to install the OS on this computer. I can boot from the CD but none of the repair options given have helped.

Do you have backups of a working install w/ your data? Or would you loose stuff if you had to clean your harddisk? Are you happy enough with handling PC's that you'd try a boot with another OS (like linux) to save your HD contents to an external media?

I do not have any backups of this most recent Windows installation (I have many old ones, though because I have had to wipe this computer clean on more than one occasion.) I'm trying to avoid losing my data, if possible. I'm comfortable with booting to linux if it means that I can save the contents of my hd and fix my windows installation.

As the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) is corrupt or missing the likelihood is you've got a major hardware problem such as a hard disc failure.

Loads of useful information here, but it may be that none will help you.

HAL is missing or corrupt - Microsoft Answers

Still just checking: those multiple installs.. Was that just in this last week?? As it worked fine for two months before that?

Do you have some extra material? Like an external HD that you could connect using linux + maybe an extra / other pc you could use to make a linux boot cd?

The installations I was referring to were done at different times. None of them overlap nor were done within the same day, week or month. And yes, I have many other computers at my disposal as well as many storage mediums.

In that case you've got the stuff that can help you pinpoint the problem easier than most would. If I had enough time, in your case I'd use another pc to build a usb boot of Windows 7, boot this pc, not use the hardisk for that and start testing the HW. Use a usb that is big enough for extra drivers etc.. Why usb? Your cd install didn't work....

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

If this doesn't work we can try the same with ubuntu.