Date:21/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/bline/ew/2004/06/21/stories/2004062100310400.htm

Back A string of problems

Please suggest solutions to the following problems:

I was trying to install Windows XP on a new Hard Disk. After the set up copies the files the PC reboots and gives the message "HAL.DLL could not be loaded." When I went to the recovery console and tried to expand hal.dl_ file using proper expand command, the message prompted — "could not expand". I've installed Win XP on my old Hard Disk using that CD successfully many times before. Finally, I installed Win98 and then Win XP installed properly. I want to know why this happened.

I have a new PC and it has onboard LAN card. As it is a home PC, I never use the LAN card. But I want to check whether it is in proper condition. Please tell me I go about it.

I've installed different patches of Windows XP in my system. When I look up Add remove programs windows, it's annoying to see more patches and less installed programs. I want to store all those patched in a folder so that whenever I open that window I can see a folder or "sth" like that than a line of patches.

I installed Win XP Service Pack 1a in my system and while installing I checked Archive files box. Now I want to totally integrate that pack with the OS and don't want that patch to be seen in Add remove Programs Window. Please suggest a solution. - Mayur Shah

There are quite a number of reasons for getting the Hal.dll missing error. They are:

The Hal.dll file may be really corrupt and requires reinstallation.

There may be a problem with the hard drive such as bad clusters, access problem etc.

The boot partition has not been set active.

The boot.ini file entry is wrong and is pointing to the wrong drive or partition.

CMOS settings may also cause this problem, try clearing the CMOS.

To test your onboard network card, please click on start -{gt} run and type in cmd. Then type in the command "ping 127.0.0.1" where ping is a program which is used to test connectivity and the IP 127.0.0.1 is a loop back IP using which we can test to see is the adapter is working fine. You will get a reply that reads: "Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time=8ms TTL=128" 3 times this indicates your Ethernet is working fine."

Regarding the Patch and windows update entries in the Add/Remove dialog, you remove the entries by deleting the their related entries in the registry. You will find them at [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\

Here you will find a list of all the software listed in the Add/Remove dialog. Please right click and delete the entries you want to remove. If you want to retrieve them then you can take do so by right clicking on the key and selecting "export" save it in your disk and when you want it back just double click on it and the entries will be back in place.

To remove the SP 1a "Archive" just remove its entry from the Add/Remove dialog and delete its files which you should find normally at c:\windows\ $NtServicePackUninstall$

This will make XP SP1 uninstallable and permanent.

Please e-mail us at eworld@thehindu.co.in if you have queries on computer usage or if you find an interesting way of using a computer.

Solutions by G.Rajah