Error: Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \system32\hal.dll

When Windows starts, the following error message displays:
"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. "
Use the following steps to resolve this error:

Step 1: Opening a command prompt

This error prevents Windows XP from opening. This problem has to be addressed from a command prompt environment.
Use the following steps to open a command prompt environment:
  1. Turn on the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly when the first screen displays.
    The Windows Advanced Options menu displays.
  2. Use the Up and Down Arrow and Enter keys to select Return to OS choices .
  3. Select Microsoft Windows Recovery Console .

    4. NOTE:If Microsoft Windows XP Recovery Console is not listed, restart the computer with a Windows XP CD, Recovery Console CD, or Recovery Tools CD in the top CD or DVD drive and open Microsoft Windows Recovery Console. If a Windows XP Setup screen displays when using Recovery Console CDs, press the R key to open the Recovery Console.

  4. When the login prompt displays, press the number next to the Windows version (minint or Windows) and type the login password. Try pressing Enter if you do not know the password.
  5. At the command prompt, type the following: diskpart
  6. Press Enter , and do one the following:
    • If a table of volume names displays, remember the drive letter next to the main drive volume name (usually D or H), and press the Esc key.
    • If a diskpart prompt displays, type list volume , press Enter , remember the drive letter next to the main drive volume name (usually D or H), type exit when done, and then press Enter .

Step 2: Restoring boot.ini

Use the following steps to replace the boot.ini file with the backup boot.ini file:
  1. Type the following at the command prompt: X: (where X is the drive letter).
  2. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt: attrib -h -s -r boot.ini
  3. At the prompt, type the following: ren boot.ini boot.in2
  4. Press Enter
  5. At the prompt, type the following: ren boot.bak boot.ini
  6. Type the following at the command prompt: attrib +h +s +r boot.ini
  7. Press Enter.
  8. At the prompt, type the following: exit
  9. Press Enter.
    The system automatically restarts. If Windows XP does not open, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Editing boot.ini

  1. Turn on the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly when the first screen displays.
    The Windows Advanced Options menu displays.
  2. Use the Up and Down Arrow and Enter keys to select Return to OS choices .
  3. Select Microsoft Windows Recovery Console .

    4. NOTE:If Microsoft Windows XP Recovery Console is not listed, restart the computer with a Windows XP CD, Recovery Console CD, or Recovery Tools CD in the top CD or DVD drive and open Microsoft Windows Recovery Console. If a Windows XP Setup screen displays when using Recovery Console CDs, press the R key to open the Recovery Console.

  4. When the login prompt displays, press the number next to the Windows version (minint or Windows) and type the login password. Try pressing Enter if you do not know the password.
  5. At the command prompt, type the following: diskpart
  6. Press Enter , and do one the following:
    • If a table of volume names displays, remember the drive letter next to the main drive volume name (usually D or H), and press the Esc key.
    • If a diskpart prompt displays, type list volume , press Enter , remember the drive letter next to the main drive volume name (usually D or H), type exit when done, and then press Enter .
  7. Type the following at the diskpart prompt: Exit
  8. Press Enter and type the drive letter for the main drive volume followed by a colon (: ) at the command prompt. For example, D: .
  9. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt: attrib -h -s -r boot.ini
  10. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt: boot.ini
  11. The file opens for editing in Notepad. Edit the boot.ini file to read exactly as follows:

    [boot loader]

    timeout=0

    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS

    [operating systems]

    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

    C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

    12. NOTE:If your computer came with Windows XP Professional, edit the line referring to Home Edition under [operating systems] to read as follows:

    MULTI(0)DISK(0)RDISK(0)PARTITION(2)\WINDOWS="MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL" /FASTDETECT

  12. Save the file and then Exit from the menu.
  13. Type the following at the command prompt: attrib +h +s +r boot.ini
  14. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt: Exit
  15. Click Quit on the recovery screen to restart the computer.
    The computer should now restart without the error message. If the error still occurs, perform a reinstallion of Windows XP

 

 

TKB:1131