Windows XP forum: 'windows root system32 hal.dll is missing or corrupt

Dear Grif,
Thank you for your reply.
As I explained in my post, I have tried the xp cd and also the recovery console, it doesnt work.(I have given the result in the post as well).
Any other sug please.
Thank you.
Regards,
Ali

You said the commands that you tried using the Recovery Console didn't work as you would like. I see nothing about attempting a "repair" install per my instructions. The appropriate fix for the problem is to use the Recovery Console to attempt to extract the hal.dll file from the XP CD, then copy it to the appropriate location on the hard drive. Once it's there, register it.. You tried something else.

If that can't be done, and it's entirely possible given the information in your first post, then my first suggestion was about running a repair install of XP using the same CD..

If neither of these suggestions works, then either the XP CD is faulty or not the correct OS version you have installed on the computer....OR....the hard drive is bad and you need to replace it.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Thank you again Grif
I thought running recovery from xp cd was same as what you were saying 'running repair install' I am sorry.
I will try that once I am home and let you know.
Thank you.
Ali

Dear Grif,
I followed the instruction on the windowsxp link u send me, in part one, after pressing F8 to agree the T&C, I came across the following:
* The following list shows the existing partions and unpartitioned space on this computer.
* To Set up windows xp on the selected item, press enter
* To creat a partition in the unpartitioned space, press c
* To delete the selected partitioned press d

38155 MB Disk 0 at ID 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]
-: Partion1 [FAT] 55 MB < 47 MB Free>
C: Partition2 [Unknown] 38092 MB <38091 MB Free>
Unpartitioned space 8 MB

When I select partion 1 I get this msg
The partition or the unpartitioned space you selected is to small for xp to set up

When I select unpartitioned space the get the same above msg
When I select Partitoned 2 I get the following msg
The partiton is either too full, damaged, not formatted or formated with an incompatible file system. To continue installing windows setup must formar this partition.

I am not able to go to part 2 of the xp repair guide.

What should I do next?

Thank you for your help.

Ali

Partition 2 is the location where Windows seems to be installed. Unfortunately, "The partiton is either too full, damaged, not formatted or formated with
an incompatible file system. To continue installing windows setup must
formar this partition." indicates the partition has become corrupted.. Your only option for reinstalling Windows on the current hard drive is to format the partition and reinstall Windows from scratch.. Yep, it will wipe all data from the drive when you do so..

If the data is extremely valuable, you might try purchasing a new hard drive, remove the old one temporarily, install Windows on the new HD, then place the old drive in an external USB enclosure.. IF, and that's an important "IF". IF the data isn't corrupted, you should be able recover the data from the external drive, then format it and use it as an extra storage drive.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Thank you Grif
The reason it is showing partition 2 is unknown is because it is corrupt?
So how I can format the whole hard drive and install new xp all over again?
Thank you and have a nice day
Ali

Before reinstalling everything, it might be a good idea to access the "Device manager" and write down all the devices listed, plus their driver manufacturers and driver versions.. It might come in handy later when you need to install the correct drivers. Likewise, be sure to make backups of all the important pictures, documents, and other such stuff.. The formatting will wipe everything from the drive and you'll need to use the backup to place them on the computer after the installation is finished.

Now....Reinstalling XP can be done following the instructions below: You start with the XP disc from Dell, place it in the CD/DVD drive, then restart the computer.. As long as the computer is set to boot from the CD/DVD drive first, you'll see a "Press any key to boot from CD" request.. (If it doesn't boot from CD, you'll need to change the BIOS settings so it does.) Press any key and the computer will boot from the CD and the installation process will start.

See the basic instructions in the link below for wiping the current partition, creating a new one, formatting the new partition, then installing the OS to an existing hard drive:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/sp2installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm

Once the operating system is installed, you'll then need to use the Dell Driver/Resource CD to install all of the drivers which are associated with the hardware on the computer.. (If there is no Driver/Resource CD, visit the Dell website and download the appropriate drivers for the computer..

Once that's done, if there is a Dell program installer CD for your computer, install the programs of your choice and you'll be ready to go.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Dear Grif,
The whole problem is that Iam not able to get in the computer after starting it up Its starting booting up and then I get that message 'windows root system32 hal.dll is missing or corrupt' and nothing happens and I have tried different things you suggested

Is there is a way to access devide manager and backing up or my files from the hard drive before formatting?
Thank you.
Regards,
Ali

In your case, you'll need to use your previous backups..

Hope this helps.

Grif

Thanks Grif
I will try few more tricks and c where I can get
thank u for ur help
Regards
Ali