HELP Windows missing - <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll?

[MrGoodenough]

Somehow this file went missing "<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll" and it states "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt"

What do I do to fix this?

thank you for your help

 

[Smilin]

That could be caused by exactly what it says: hal.dll is missing or corrupt. Couple other things can cause it as well. A mismatched ntoskrnl.exe, hal.dll or a couple others. The two most common causes are

1. A security update that went awry due to a 3rd party app, invalid setup.log file etc.
2. A corrupt drive.

First boot to recovery console and check to see if hal.dll is actually present on your system. If it's missing, grab a copy from c:\windows\servicepackfiles (don't get it from your CD unless you update all hal related files at once)
If you recently applied a security update, roll it back from recovery console to get booting then reapply (call MS for free if it fails again)
If you didn't apply any updates recently then boot to recovery console and run a chkdsk /p

 

[MrGoodenough]

Thanks for the info

I just have one more question, how do I get to the Recovery Console?

 

[Unsolved Paradox]

When you're booting up, press F8.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Unsolved Paradox
When you're booting up, press F8.

That will get you safe mode and safe mode with command prompt. With that hal error he won't be able to reach either.


Boot with your XP CD and choose R at the 'welcome to setup' screen.

If booting with your xp cd gives you a 'could not find any suitable mass storage controller' error it just means you'll also need to hit the F6 key when it scrolls by down at the bottom then provide a driver with F6.