missing dll file

[Dana]

Suddenly when I turn on my HP laptop, this message
appears: "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.

My warranty does not cover it because it is software
related. The HP newsgroup said to boot from a retail XP
installation CD to repair without losing my files.
Naturally, I do not have such a disk because it's XP
(Home).

Is there any way I can download this file from my desktop
computer and get it onto my laptop? Or is there any way I
can obtain a temporary rebootable disk? Or must I use the
system recovery disks that came with the laptop, which I
understand will cause me to lose everything on the
computer?

TIA

 

[Rich Barry]

Dana, replacing the file requires the WinXP CD.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm
Looks like your stuck using the Recovery Disks that will wipe your
Drive. See if you can install the drive in
a working computer and transfer your important files that way.

 

[Dana]

That's what I was afraid of. It's not the files - I use
the laptop for backing up my desktop -- it's all those
programs and their updates I've installed over the past
year and a half.

Thank you for your help, Rich.