Please help with \system32\hal.dll

If you have the Windows XP disc, the easiest way is to boot from the XP disc but select "Repair" rather than Install.

I already did that.  I put the disk in, turned it on, hit F12, select the option to boot from CD, waited until it did a few things and the big blue screen came up where you have to pick what you want to do, picked repair which takes me to the C prompt where I did what I posted above.

See does this help. In particular the method 3 section.

support.microsoft.com/.../314477

In my experience it usually means a bad sector on the hard drive. So the hard drive might be failing.

If you do end up doing a clean install make sure you select a full format and not the quick format option.

How long do internal hard drives usually last?  I keep having so many problems with this laptop and I don't have the money right now to go out and buy a new one.  I wonder if I should try replacing the hard drive.

How long do internal hard drives usually last?  I keep having so many problems with this laptop and I don't have the money right now to go out and buy a new one.  I wonder if I should try replacing the hard drive.

Hi, Have you seen this support journal for the HAL HERE.

Hard drives generally last a long time, but any component can go at any time.  The hard drive is a mechanical device and mechanical devices can have a shorter life span.  Generally the "hal" problem is not a hardware problem (in this case a hard drive problem).

Except your #3 isn't the right Repair to fix a missing/corrupted hal.dll.

1. Boot from the XP CD and press ENTER (not R) at the first screen.

2. Accept the Windows user license on the next screen

3. On the next screen, choose the version of Windows you want to repair. There should only be one listed.

4. Finally, on the next screen, press R for Repair/Reinstall

Note that your CD has to have the same version (service pack) of Windows as is installed on the hard drive. If the CD has XP SP2 and the hard drive has XP SP3, the Repair will abort.

Ron

I just fixed this problem by using my installation disk and following the instructions at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330184 for instructions.  I culled them from that cite for you. .  .

1) Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

2) Put in Windows installation disk.

3) Restart your computer.When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows CD.

4) When you receive the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to start the Recovery Console.

5) At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER.

6) At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER.

7) Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file.

8) When it says C:\Windows Add installation to boot list?  Enter Yes.  Then Load Identifier - enter the name of the operating system. This may be Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, etc.  You receive a message that is similar to the following:Enter OS Load options When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER. 

The instructions that appear on your screen may be a bit different, depending on the configuration of your computer.Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the "Please select the operating system to start" message.Back to the top

Good Luck - HAMESQ

Where can i find the windows xp disc to fix this issue other than ebay & Amazon.. Or can a use a windows 10 or upgrade to fix the windows root issue & upgrade my system at the same time.