HAL error on second HD

[oslama]

I installed a system drive from another machine as a secondary drive and now get a C:\windows\system\hal.dll. This drive is from a computer with same hardware specs. I deleted the windows folder but still get the HAL error. I want to back up my files before i erase the drive.

If i erase the boot files on the root folder of the HD, would the drive still be accessible ?



system:

HD 1 seagate 160 gb

HD 2 seagate 160 gb (from same type of machine). need to back up files before reformatting

 

[montag451]

You will only need the boot files (for example NTLDR) on your active drive.
Have you got your drives plugged in the right way, so that your old drive is the one that its booting from?

 

[oslama]

yes, it still tries to boot from the secondary (slave ide) drive.

I have deleted the windows folder, but boot files (ie ntldr, boot ini) are still intact.

I tried it another machine and get the same error.

 

[cubby1223]

Most motherboards today let you specify exactly which hard drive to boot from on startup, regardless of which ide channel & whether it's set to master or slave. Have you checked the boot order in the bios?

 

[oslama]

the issue is that the hds have same model and capacity. and show as such in the bios.

 

[XxPrOdiGyxX]

The issue isn't that it is the same model and capacity. The issue is that it's trying to boot from your secondary drive. Make sure the jumpers on both drives are set correctly. Or, if you are using cable select make sure they are in the appropriate positions. Eitherway, they should be both set to Slave or Master or CS for both.