using HP Recovery, PC will not boot

[Rick_in_CT]

On a HP A610N Computer:
After using the HP Recovery CDs, that were built from this computer, the following error was displayed:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
Windows\System32\Hal.dll

I read the MS Bulletin about the boot.ini. I used my BartsPE boot disk to make a backup of the boot.ini, and edited several settings.

Here is a good boot.ini: (also from a HP Computer)
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

The bad PC’s boot.ini was the same except the following:
“partition(1)\WINDOWS”, and had XP Home edition.

I changed the boot.ini, and the boot up error changed slightly.

This computer was working fine, but I am giving this computer to a friend, and wanted to put it back to when I created the HP Recovery CDs. (what a mistake!)

I have run the “on board” HP Recovery, and the HP Recovery that I built from the CDs several times. I have tried the destructive, and non-destructive methods, both with the same results.

It seems like the HP Recovery is not updating the computer to fix the problem. Using my BartsPE boot CD, should I delete everything on the C: Drive, and run the HP Recovery again?:sad:

[vikonava]

i suppose you can get a windows xp cd and get to boot from the cd then select instead of installing, the Windows Repair thingy and it will open DOS for you, in there type HELP and look for a command called BOOTFIX or FIXBOOT something like that, youll need just to know the command name and execute it

:) hope this works, it has worked when i ruin my boot because of installing and managing dualboots :)