system failed to boot up and now want to recover OS!

[oceanauk]

<PRE>OK, let's see if I can explain this! I was repartitioning my drives when after a restart during the process, an error message appeared, : windows root>system32/hal.dll was missing. I could not reboot my computer and had to load up another version of windows xp onto another drive, D. I used windows XP home edition but the whole thing came as a package on my laptop and I can only access if I do an complete reformat of the hardrive. I now have windows xp professional (dare I say a copy) just so I can log in and use my internet for help!! Can I reover my original OS and all my data? I can see all my programs at the moment but I want it all on my original OS and with my drives back as they were.</PRE><PRE>Many thanks</PRE><PRE> </PRE>

[oldbob]

You were re-partitioning your drives? Exactly how and what program did you use? After partitioning it is standard practice to format the partition. I'm not surprised you couldn't reboot your computer - both partitioning and formating will destroy all data on the drive.

[fo3nix]

"I was repartitioning my drives when after a restart during the process, an error message appeared,"

do you mean that it restarted in the middle of repartitioning?

download this:
http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/uk/welcome.htm

see if it can recover anything.

btw, in future, it's generally a good idea to have a working backup of your stuff, before partitioning.

[oceanauk]

Actually I've solved my own problem!! I've saved my data for back up and just done a system recovery. Oldbob - I was using Partition Magic - great software - you don't need to reformat if you're creating a logical drive - you should not lose date when re-partitioning. I've done it many times. To fo3nix - yes error came up during the the process! - anyway I was just moving and reallocating space. However, I've had a few bugs in my system for a while so unfortuately had a major system error. Anyhoo - I'm all up and running now and have sorted my partitions out now too!!! Thanks for everyone's advice! And finally - yes always a good idea to have your data backed up!!