If one of the following error messages is displayed as Windows is booting up (before you see your desktop, but after the POST screen), you have a corrupt HAL.dll file:
- “Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll. Please re-install a copy of the above file.” - Winnt_root>\System32\Hal.dll missing or corrupt:
Please re-install a copy of the above file.” - “Cannot find \Windows\System32\hal.dll”
- “Cannot find hal.dll”
This problem is usually fixable, but it takes some work. TO fix the error, you will need access to a Windows XP installation CD. Once you have your CD handy, do the following:
- Get to the recovery console (instructions here [1]).
- Type bootcfg /default and press enter. Wait for the process to complete.
- Type fixboot and press enter. Wait fro the command to complete.
- Reboot your computer (type exit in the recovery console) and see if the error has been corrected. If not, continue on.
- Return to the recovery console.
- Type expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll where d: is the drive letter of your CD-ROM and c: is the drive Windows XP is installed on.
- If oyu are prompted to overwrite the file, press Y.
- Restart the computer (type exit at the recovery console).
- The problem should be fixed.