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iputty · 28-Jun-2007, 05:23 PM #1

Hey guys & gals, here's my problem.

I'm working on my Sony Vaio Laptop (VGN-S170P) which is 3+ years old and whose internal DVD burner doesn't work anymore. I reformatted the computer yesterday and reinstalled Win XP Pro after making the Sony Recovery discs. Once I got up & running I decided to use Partition Magic to recoup the 8 Gb or so that Sony designates for recovery. It wasn't needed anymore, as I made the discs.

So, after deleting the partition and merging the drives, I goit a message that ... hal.dll is either not found or corrupted. Windows will not start. I tried booting from my external DVD drive (USB) but Windows won't recognize it. I looked in my BIOS to see if there's a way to get it to recognize USB, but found nothing.

How do I get Windows to boot from my external DVD drive? I have no problem reinstalling Windows from scratch as I just did it yesterday.

Many thanks.

**JohnWill** · 28-Jun-2007, 06:43 PM #2

I suspect that if the BIOS doesn't support booting from a USB drive, the answer is that you don't.

iputty · 28-Jun-2007, 06:47 PM #3

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnWill

I suspect that if the BIOS doesn't support booting from a USB drive, the answer is that you don't.

That doesn't sound optimistic. Is the only solution to install a new internal DVD drive? If so, how would it get installed if I can't get into Windows?

Thanks.

**JohnWill** · 28-Jun-2007, 07:04 PM #4

An internal optical drive requires no software installation, it will be recognized by the BIOS and you will be able to boot from it.

You can check the BIOS options to see if USB booting is an option, if you haven't already done that.

iputty · 28-Jun-2007, 07:14 PM #5

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnWill

You can check the BIOS options to see if USB booting is an option, if you haven't already done that.

I just looked through the BIOS to see any mention of USB. Is there something/somewhere specific I should look?

If I don't find it, is a new internal really the only way around the hal.dll problem? The part itself (Mat****a UJ-812) is $200.

Jack Hackett · 28-Jun-2007, 07:17 PM #6

Install a NEW optical drive, what good is the laptop without one?

iputty · 28-Jun-2007, 07:21 PM #7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Hackett

Install a NEW optical drive, what good is the laptop without one?

To be honest, I rarely have a need for it. If I need to transfer files, I have USB drives (small and large) which are more convenient to use. I haven't missed it once since it went down.

iputty · 28-Jun-2007, 08:49 PM #8

What if I removed the hard drive? How could I connect it to my desktop so I can search through it, maybe even copy the file from my desktop? Does that make sense?

**JohnWill** · 28-Jun-2007, 08:57 PM #9

How did you install from the recovery disks?

I doubt that copying the file is the answer, that message usually means a lot more than just a missing file.

iputty · 28-Jun-2007, 09:08 PM **#10**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnWill

How did you install from the recovery disks?

I doubt that copying the file is the answer, that message usually means a lot more than just a missing file.

Oh. My laptop is halfway apart already.

I reinstalled using the Sony Recovery that's installed on the computer. It only requested the disc near the end which I put in the external drive. I did have to disable the internal for it to be recognized.

I've now tried getting in through Safe Mode and still no go. An internal DVD drive can't be the ONLY way of getting in now, can it?

ozrom1e · 28-Jun-2007, 09:13 PM **#11**

Here is a good description on how to fix hal.dll.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

PS get the cd-rom drive replaced.

vicks · 28-Jun-2007, 09:21 PM **#12**

You might try going to www.dll_files.com. You might be able to download that file from there.
Vicks

iputty · 28-Jun-2007, 10:11 PM **#13**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozrom1e

Here is a good description on how to fix hal.dll.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

PS get the cd-rom drive replaced.

Thanks. From reading the end of that page it seems that the issue was resolved by doing what I asked about... removing the HD and adding it to another system, then copying the file. Or am I reading it wrong? So... if I manage to get the HD out, how do I add it to my desktop as a slave drive? I added a HD once before but it was a few years ago.

Thanks!

ozrom1e · 28-Jun-2007, 10:16 PM **#14**

There is a special cable to add a laptop hard drive to a desktop or anyother computer with a USB port.

CU USB 2.0 to IDE Cable with Power Adapter
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...P=OTC-CNETFEED
And this really works.

**JohnWill** · 29-Jun-2007, 11:14 AM **#15**

If you're going to buy one of these, might as well buy one that connects to all the available interfaces. http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cabl...77%2C141%2C142

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