System error/issue

Hey folks

My system is bricked. I need some help here. I’ll try to break down what happened below.
I'm running Windows XP. I recently tried cleaning out some spyware or malware using Spyhunter. After the scan finished, it claimed it found several threats and wiped them out. Everything seemed fine at first, but once I rebooted, the machine refused to start. It looks like it nuked something critical for the OS to actually function.

This is what pops up when I try to boot:
NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl + alt + del to restart

So, I figured if some core Windows files were deleted, I could just boot from a Windows CD and run a repair. But there's a catch—that isn't working either. When I boot from the Windows CD and it starts loading its own programs, I get this:
File/i386/halaacpi.dll could not be loaded
The error code is 7
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

I didn't assume the disc was bad, so I grabbed a second Windows XP CD. Same exact result! Only this time, it's a different file it's complaining about. Every single time, it's something else. Here’s what showed up:

File /i386/ntkrnlmp.exe could not be loaded.
The error code is 4096.
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

File /i386/KDCOM.DLL/ could not be loaded.
The error code is 7.
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

I literally cannot get the Windows XP CD to run.
There is no way both discs are defective.

Is it possible that the Windows CD needs certain folders from the local Windows installation to function properly, and it's failing because those files are missing?

I don't get it... I've had minor issues before where files were accidentally deleted, but it never got to the point where the CD itself wouldn't boot. And that's two different discs.

I managed to dig into the system files using a Linux Live CD, and everything looks fine regarding my actual data. I have full access to all my drives and files; I just can't get the Windows OS to launch. I'm stuck.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to fix this? Is it even possible to do something via a Linux bootable CD or USB? Can I somehow grab the missing system files from the Windows CD or download them from the web and drop them into the Windows system folders? That was my plan for the NTDLR file, but I can't even get into MS-DOS because the Windows CD won't work.

Even if I wanted to just wipe everything and reinstall the whole OS, I can't get the CD to boot.
I'm scouring the internet for answers, but so far, nothing is working.

amberhound89 said:hey

I'm having an issue with my system. Please help. I'll try to describe the problem briefly below.
I'm using Windows XP. Recently, I tried to get rid of some spyware, malware, or whatever using SpyHunter. After the scan finished, it found some threats and removed them. It seemed like everything was fine at first, but once I restarted the computer, it wouldn't boot up anymore. It looks like something essential for the system to run was deleted.

This pops up when I start the PC:
NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl + alt + del to restart

Okay, I figured if something from the Windows system was deleted, I could boot from a Windows CD and run a repair, but the problem is that won't work either! When I boot from the Windows CD and the programs start loading, I get this:
File/i386/halaacpi.dll could not be loaded
The error code is 7
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

I didn't think the CD itself was bad, so I popped in another Windows XP CD. Same thing! Only it's a different error. Here's what showed up—it seems to change every time:

File /i386/ntkrnlmp.exe could not be loaded.
The error code is 4096.
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

File /i386/KDCOM.DLL/ could not be loaded.
The error code is 7.
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

And I just can't get the Windows XP CD to run!
It shouldn't be possible for both CDs to be broken.

Is it possible that the Windows XP CD needs certain folders within Windows to function properly, and it's failing because those files are missing?

I'm not really sure... I've had similar issues before where files were accidentally deleted, but it never got to the point where I couldn't even boot the CD. And that's two different CDs.

I accessed the system files using a Linux Live CD and everything looks okay regarding the data. I have access to all the drives and files; it's just that I can't boot the Windows system. I don't know how.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get the system working again? Is it even possible via a bootable Linux CD or USB? Could I somehow copy system files from a Windows CD or from the internet into the Windows system folders? That's what I was thinking about doing with that NTLDR file, but I couldn't get into MS-DOS because the Windows CD isn't working.

Even if I wanted to reinstall the whole system, I can't get the CD to boot.
I'm searching online, but so far I haven't had much luck finding a solution.

I don't see why you couldn't just do that part; it would probably be your fastest fix. Before that, though, you should definitely use a Linux live disk to back up your data.

Your BIOS should be set to boot from optical media (CDROM) first, and you should see a screen like http://chara.epfl.ch/~fsalvi/Windows...ressanykey.jpg. Once you press a key, the setup should start, and then you can format the drive.

You could try repairing the system, but you'll likely just end up wasting more time.

George Sanders37 said:I don't get why you wouldn't just do this part—it’s the fastest way to fix things. Just back up your data using a Linux Live CD first.

You need to set your BIOS to boot from the optical drive first (the CD-ROM). You should see a screen like http://chara.epfl.ch/~fsalvi/Windows...ressanykey.jpg where you press a key to start the setup, and then you can just format the drive.

You could try repairing the system, but honestly, you'll just be wasting your time.

That’s basically what happened. I booted from a Windows XP CD after tweaking the BIOS settings, but right when it starts loading the disc (that blue screen pops up), it throws that error from above. Then it just hangs. I've never run into this before. Regardless, I've decided to just wipe it and install a fresh OS, Windows 7. I'm not going to waste my energy trying to patch this broken system. I'll use a Linux Live CD to move everything from my primary hard drive to a secondary one, then I'll just slap a new OS onto the primary drive.

Thanks for the help.

In the future, try to stay away from those junk programs like SpyHunter that just end up wrecking your computer; you're much better off sticking to reliable, standard software instead.