Missing or corrupt hal.dll

At start-up, you receive the error message: "Missing or corrupt \system32\hal.dll" and Windows does not boot.

This error message will occur if Windows does not find the critical system file hal.dll in the location specified in the boot.ini file. This usually occurs because something (such as Bios settings changes) may have changed the drive letter allocations so the Windows folder is no longer C:\Windows (or whatever it was.) Another possibility is that the boot.ini file has been corrupted or changed. A slight possibility is that the file hal.dll is corrupted.

Method 1

• Check the system Bios settings to ensure that the drive settings have not changed.

If this does not resolve the problem, try Method 2.

Method 2

This method requires a Windows XP CD-ROM.

• Insert the Windows XP CD and start the computer
• Press R to repair Windows when prompted to do so.
• Select the Windows installation that you want to repair.
• Type the administrator password when prompted to do so.
• At the command prompt type bootcfg /rebuild and press Enter.
• When Add installation to boot list? is displayed, type Y.
• When Enter Load Identifier: is displayed, type the name of the operating system, e.g. Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition.
• When Enter OS Load options: is displayed, just press Enter, leaving the field blank.
• Restart the computer and select the first item on the boot menu. Windows XP should now start normally.
• Click Start, Run, type msconfig.exe and press Enter.
• Select the Boot.ini tab.
• Click Check All Boot Paths to remove the incorrect entry.

Applies to

• Microsoft Windows NT
• Microsoft Windows 2000
• Microsoft Windows XP