FIX: Hal.Dll Is Missing or Corrupt Error Message

You cannot enter Windows because of this error:

Hal.dll is missing or corrupt

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows \ System32 \ Hal.dll

The source of the problem is most often not the DLL but in fact in the BOOT.INI

The solution is simple:

* Start your computer with a boot disk

* Go to the command prompt.

* Enter the following commands:

C:

edit boot.ini

You will then gain access to BOOT.INI. By default it looks like this:

[boot loader]

timeout = 30

default = multi (0) disk (0) rdisk (0) partition (1) \ WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi (0) disk (0) rdisk (0) partition (1) \ WINDOWS = "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" / fastdetect

The error is in the number of the partition that is shown. (It often occurs after the installation of a 2nd operating system). Change partition (1) partition (2). If you do not want to repeat Boot.ini several times, copy the line after [operating systems] and change the number in each, you just have to try different options available to you at the next startup.

Another tip:

* Copy the entire line even after [operating systems] and add after / fastdetect: / safeboot: minimal / sos / bootlog

* Change the name of the option for "safe mode"

You now have an option from the menu that lets you access the Safe Mode without having to keep pressing F8 during the boot sequence.

It may sometimes be the case where hal.dll is the true cause of the problem. If this occurs then what you need to do is replace the file. You can do this by inserting your original Windows CD and replacing the file using the move command. This process is painless and should take less than 5 minutes once booted up.