hal.dll missing, Windows does not launch

[Guest]

When I boot up my computer, Windows fails to launch. An error message shows,
stating that Windows cannot launch because hal.dll

cannot be found. However, only 2 hours before, I was able to start Windows
and run everything normally. I found a guide online:

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=185301251 .
However, I have forgotten the administrator's

password. Is there a default password or a way to change the administrator's
password? If not, is there another way to fix this

problem without having to reformat any hard drives and lose data? Thanks for
your help.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please see if the following link helps regarding a lost password:

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/lostpass.htm

--


Will Denny
MS-MVP Shell/User
Please reply to the Newsgroup


Please reply to the Newgroups

 

[Guest]

You don't need to have an administrator's password if you never put one into
the ADMINISTRATOR'S setup. When XP Recovery Console asked for this, I
entered my password for getting into Windows, which did not work. Just
pressed ENTER, and got in because I never setup a password for the
Administrator.

To copy hal.dll to the right area, I could not command the system to expand
the file and put it in the right directory. I had to type in the drive for
the CD, type in the expand command, and just put it in the root of the drive
with Windows on it. I put it in all caps when typing it in to find it easily:
EXPAND K:\i386\HAL.DL_[SPACE]C:\HAL.DLL

Then get into the drive and copy to right directory:
COPY C:\HAL.DLL[SPACE]C:\SYSTEM32\

Be sure to verify and then delete it from the root.
If you do not have a Windows XP disc (not the OEM recovery disc(s)), then
borrow it from someone and use that disc to extract the file.