New computer, wiped out 98se (format c:) but am having xp install problem, error message inside

[ROL21]

I'm new to this forum so thanks in advance for your help,
Problem: I just got a dell c400, it came with windows 98se installed, I started the computer in dos mode and did a simple format C: . I then started the computer up with My windows xp professional disk. The initial install/ set-up went fine. The computer then said it was gonna restart itself and actually go into windows for the final part of the installation. After the restart a screen came up with the dell logo and C400. Right after that it says "windows could not start because missing/ corrupt <windows root>\system32\hal.dll."
The laptop says right on it designed for windows xp, and the xp disk I have Is real and has never been installed on any other computer. Any ideas what I should do or what this error means?? Thanks!



windows could not start because missing/ corrupt <windows root>\system32\hal.dll.

 

[garcher]

I assume you are booting off of the CD? If so, then delete the partitions and recreate them -- if you have a dos boot disk with utilities then try an FDISK /MBR followed by deleting all the partitions via FDISK