Hi....i have read many many articles from internet about how to start up computer running windows XP
home edition. I also read in here on how to boot up or start up computer using CD.

Well..my computer now having error like below...

Invalid Boot.ini

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\system32\hal.dll.
Please reinstall a copy of the above file."

My Question are
1.) how to boot or startup xp without need use CD ?
I know here ALREADY have the article explain how to create startup disk..so what is the different
between 6 startup disk from microsoft and the one we just copy 3 files(boot.ini, Ntldr and Ntdetect.com) ?
Does this 2 type startup will boot to run windows or just command prompt ?

2.) Lets say if the above 2 type startup disk able to launch windows, then...can i use system restore to restore
my problem ?

3.) I do read how to make bootable live CD something call BartPe. I wonder why when i set in bios boot from
CD...the bartpe won't run ? why ?

4.) I have 1 floppy disk which formatted use xp system and i create ms DOS startup inside. I insert inside computer it startup to A:\ .
When i try switch to hard drive ( c:\ ) it only can access the drive but cannot read whatever inside it why....?
in only show my hard drive contain FOLDER

1.) MEDIA
2.) Presario -because my computer is compaq presario series

5.) Can recovery console install inside floppy ? What are the file need to build recovery console ?
6.) How to make CD boot to recovery console ? I mean no hanky panky one !

Im afraid that your windows is corrupted and hence i would recommend you to do a complete clean install of windows or else what you can do is to just try to setup the windows without formatting the drive