microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin

Doug wrote:
> After installing SP3 on an XP Home Edition SP2 Dell Laptop, windows
> booted ok once then failed to boot reporting a msg "missing
> \system32\hal.dll file".
>
> I ran recovery console which couldn't see any XP installation. I
> typed "R" then searched around the directories. Most of the
> directories seemed intact. But I couldn't see system32 - hence the
> "missing \system32\hal.dll" error.
>
> I've taken the HD out of the laptop and slaved it to another XP
> machine to try to recover the Data Files (which of course I don't
> have a backup of...). I can see the HD Data directories are intact
> but cannot read the files coz I can't login as the User, coz I
> don't know how to Logon from the Recovery Console.
>
> 1. is there any way I can recover the Data Files - I have the User
> and pswd info?
> 2. if not, is there anyway to reinstall Windows XP Home Ed
> preserving the user data
> 3. Failing all else. Are there any recovery tools that will enable
> me to recover the user data?
>
> This is the first time using user groups, so I'd appreciate any
> suggestions for posting this on other user groups?
>
> [another interesting aside is that I couldn't view the PID, coz I
> can't start Wondows. Is there a command line prompt so I can read
> this from recovery console - then I can post this with the
> Microsoft team]

If you installed the drive as a slave to another Windows XP installation -
all you need to do is "Take Ownership" of the files you need to get off it
and copy them off...

Sounds like you have seen this:

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Read *carefully* - do not just skim the page and start following steps.
There is important information there dependent on the version of Windows XP.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html