I was wondering whether the following error message meant anything to anyone:

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

I own an HP, whose original operating syste was Windows 98. XP was loaded
on a couple of years ago. I have never had any trouble until now. I can't
even get past the above message and fear that I may have a virus. I don't
have a copy of the original XP disk as it was loaded by the prior owner. Can
this problem be rectified without having to purchase another copy of XP?
Should I reload 98, which I'd rather not do? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

>-----Original Message-----
>I was wondering whether the following error message
meant anything to anyone:
>
>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
>
>I own an HP, whose original operating syste was Windows
98. XP was loaded
>on a couple of years ago. I have never had any trouble
until now. I can't
>even get past the above message and fear that I may have
a virus. I don't
>have a copy of the original XP disk as it was loaded by
the prior owner. Can
>this problem be rectified without having to purchase
another copy of XP?
>Should I reload 98, which I'd rather not do? Any advice
would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>.
>
the exact same thing happened to me about 2 months ago
and i had to system restore (with an HP) by hitting the
F10 key very quickly before that screen came up. since
you have had 98 before XP it may restore the first, so i
can't help you there. HP has had a lock on the F10 key
for a while so it should work. if it dosen't ,should you
have the original documents that came with the computer
(from HP, not micrsoft) go to the system restore section
and see if there is any help there. hope this helps

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

--
===
Tom "Pepper" Willett

/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;fp10se
===
"Craig" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0964090E-250B-455F-9632-(E-Mail Removed)...
| I was wondering whether the following error message meant anything to
anyone:
|
| 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
|
| I own an HP, whose original operating syste was Windows 98. XP was loaded
| on a couple of years ago. I have never had any trouble until now. I
can't
| even get past the above message and fear that I may have a virus. I don't
| have a copy of the original XP disk as it was loaded by the prior owner.
Can
| this problem be rectified without having to purchase another copy of XP?
| Should I reload 98, which I'd rather not do? Any advice would be
appreciated.
|
| Thanks

The issue occurs due to corrupt boot.ini file and requires XP CD to restore
it, therefore I request you to have the CD and follow the steps otherwise
reinstall Win 98:

http://win-xp-sp.blogspot.com/2004/1...t-because.html

Raj

"Craig" wrote:

> I was wondering whether the following error message meant anything to anyone:
>
> 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
>
> I own an HP, whose original operating syste was Windows 98. XP was loaded
> on a couple of years ago. I have never had any trouble until now. I can't
> even get past the above message and fear that I may have a virus. I don't
> have a copy of the original XP disk as it was loaded by the prior owner. Can
> this problem be rectified without having to purchase another copy of XP?
> Should I reload 98, which I'd rather not do? Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks

Thank you all for your help. Could you guys confirm that I am understanding
my options correctly:

1. Find the original XP CD and reload it, or purchase a new XP CD, and
execute the Recovery Console.
2. Get a copy of Windows 98 (which I believe to have been the original
system) and re-install that. I'm not sure if I'd simply install it, or if I
would then have to perform a recovery operation. I understand that doing so
would result in the loss of all files as it reverts to the original settings.
Other than a couple Word documents and my email (through NetZero, which I'm
not sure I'd recover), I could live with the data loss.

Tom Pepper, your literature suggests going to the Start menu. Do you mean
after I insert the XP CD? Because I currently can't even get to the start
menu.

Thanks again.

Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because of a Computer Disk Hardware
Configuration Problem
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314477

this article includes: Hal.dll missing or corrupt error.

all suggestions in this article will require the recovery console, so if you
do not have an XP CD the setup boot floppies may help


How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994




"Craig" wrote:

> Thank you all for your help. Could you guys confirm that I am understanding
> my options correctly:
>
> 1. Find the original XP CD and reload it, or purchase a new XP CD, and
> execute the Recovery Console.
> 2. Get a copy of Windows 98 (which I believe to have been the original
> system) and re-install that. I'm not sure if I'd simply install it, or if I
> would then have to perform a recovery operation. I understand that doing so
> would result in the loss of all files as it reverts to the original settings.
> Other than a couple Word documents and my email (through NetZero, which I'm
> not sure I'd recover), I could live with the data loss.
>
> Tom Pepper, your literature suggests going to the Start menu. Do you mean
> after I insert the XP CD? Because I currently can't even get to the start
> menu.
>
> Thanks again.
>
>