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Had some major problems with a PC and get the hal.dll error message about the file being missing or corrupted. I've tried everything to get around it, but no matter what key I use on the keyboard the PC reboots and gives me the same message before even getting to windows.

I tried F5, F8, F10 and so on. I get the same message over and over. I put in the recovery console disk and got it. Did the same with the other recovery disk I have.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Have you tried any of these?.


Method 1

Edit the Boot.ini file to restore or correct the Default entry and to ensure that the other entries in the [Operating Systems] section of the Boot.ini file point to the appropriate directories.

For additional information about how to edit the Boot.ini file, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 289022 (How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows XP) HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP

Method 2

Use the Bootcfg utility in the Recovery Console to correct the Boot.ini file: 1.Use the Windows XP CD-ROM to start your computer.2.When you receive the message to press R to repair Windows by using the Recovery Console, press the R key.3.Select the Windows installation that you want, and then type the administrator password when prompted.4.Type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER.5.When the Windows installation is located, the following instructions are displayed:Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)
[Type Y in response to this message.]

Enter Load Identifier:
[This is the name of the operating system. Type Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition.]

Enter OS Load options:
[Leave this field blank, and then press ENTER].
After you perform the preceding steps, restart the computer, and then select the first item on the boot menu. This should allow Windows XP to start normally.

After Windows XP has successfully loaded, the Boot.ini can be modified to remove the incorrect entry. For additional information about how to edit the Boot.ini file, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 289022 (How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows XP) HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP

Method 3

1.Start the computer by using your Windows XP CD-ROM. Press any key to boot from the CD.2.After the setup files are finished loading press R to repair using Recovery Console.3.When you are in the recovery console, select the installation to log on to (usually number 1), and then press ENTER.4.Login to the Administrator account by typing the password for this account, and then press ENTER.5.At the recovery console command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

For Uni-Processor systems: expand cd-rom:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ drive:\Windows\system32
For Multi-Processor systems: expand cd-rom:\i386\ntkrnlmp.ex_ drive:\Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

Cd-rom is the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive, and drive is the drive letter of the hard disk on which windows is installed.6.If you receive a prompt to overwrite the file, press Y.7.Type exit, and press ENTER at the command prompt.


Method 4

(;Start the computer by using the Recovery Console, and then run theCHKDSK /rcommand.

I tried everything I could think of and for the life of me I can't get around that message. I've made two different boot disks, tried the recovery console and the first of eight system recovery disks that I have.

We found the computer at a yard sale for $50 and felt like we wouldn't have anything to lose by buying it.

Can I take out the hard drive, attach it to my computer, make it a slave and reformat it so it can work? Then afterwards put it back in the other and start over?

You were close Bugsey very close.

You need to be in the Recovery Console...

HAL.DLL is Missing -


Boot from your CD and follow the directions below to start Recovery Console.

Insert the Setup compact disc (CD) and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD.
When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts; choose the repair or recover option by pressing R.

If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console.
When prompted, type the Administrator password. (if you didn't create one try pressing enter).

At the system prompt, type Recovery Console commands; type help for a list of commands, or help commandname for help on a specific command.

Most likely you will need to expand the file from the CD. The command would be expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll. Substitute d: for the drive letter of your CD. Once you have expanded the file type "exit" to exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.