Hi folks,
my NC10 has seen a lot of use and has reached the point where it's finally stopped working. Recently it's been giving the 'missing hal.dll' error on bootup, but the Samsung Recovery System has kept things running. Unfortunately, it's no longer popping up to help and I need advice on what options might be best for me. Although I've owned computers for 30 years now I long since realised the limits of my technical ability and I'd appreciate any help to be at an 'Idiot's Guide' level. Thanks. :)
Fortunately, I recently made a C: drive back-up on my new standalone hard drive, using the included Nero software. The NC10 has three partitions; the Sammy Recovery one, then C: at 100 GB approx and D: at 40 GB approx. Windows XP and all my software is on C: and from memory is circa 65Gb, while D: is blank. I know I can do an XP reinstall from the original disc. So, here are my questions:
1) If I reinstall the OS on C: can I then use the restore file over the top of it?
2) Will a successful restore still have the missing hal.dll problem?
3) If the hal.dll problem IS still there can it be solved _easily_, and how?
4) Will the Recovery partition still be functional or just wasted space?
5) Finally, I read somewhere that increased frequency of the hal.dll problem can indicate a failing HD. If it does die and I replace it will there be any problem reinstalling XP onto the replacement?
6) Is there anything else I should consider that I've missed?
I don't think there's any critical personal data on C: but it'd be nice to be able to check. If push comes to shove I'll bite the bullet, reinstall XP from the disc and start from scratch, but I'd appreciate thoughts from you folk with more techie knowledge. My Sammy is very important to me and I want to keep it working if at all possible!
Thanks in advance.