Fixing a Corrupted HAL.DLL File…
(For Windows XP)

The following file is missing or corrupt: C:\Windows\system32\Hal.dll

The HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) is not a static file. The HAL file is a dynamic file which is created during the install of Windows. During the install of Windows and very close to the beginning the install gathers or makes an inventory of the hardware profile on the system. This hardware profile is combined with the stock Hal.dll (hal.dl_ Compressed on the Windows installation CD) to create a new Hal.dll file. The Hal.dll file cannot be used from a different machine.

These methods will work to recover a working Hal.dll, however it is advisable to keep and maintain a good backup.

Method 1:

For this article you will need to access the 'Windows Recovery Console'

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

There are six commands you must enter in sequence to repair the system:

C: CD..
C: ATTRIB –H -S -R C:\boot.ini
C: del boot.ini
C: BOOTCFG /Rebuild
C: CHKDSK /R /F
C: FIXBOOT

Now it's time to reboot the system. Type 'EXIT' in the Windows Recovery Console and confirming the command.

If your system boot is successfully great, otherwise see method 2.

Method 2:

1. Boot from the Windows CD and start the installer

2. Choose to install onto the already formatted partition with the corrupted hal.dll file version of Windows. Choose the option to leave the existing file system and other operating systems intact. Choosing this will require you to create another folder for Windows to avoid writing over the existing installation. Call the new folder "WINTEMP" as we will be removing this install later.

3. Install Windows as you would normally, you'll need a Product Key.

4. Boot to the NEW Windows install. Do not "Activate" or "register," as we're going to be deleting this copy of Windows from the.

5. Edit the BOOT.INI on to reflect the path for the original installation of Windows with the corrupted. Example follows:
   
   [boot loader]
   timeout=30
   default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\ WINTEMP
   [operating systems]
   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
    

6. Go to C:\ WINTEMP \system32\hal.dll (where "WINTEMP" is the folder where you installed the second copy of Windows XP). Copy hal.dll from this new location to the original Windows folder: C:\WINDOWS\system32\hal.dll (or wherever you installed Windows XP originally. The new hal.dll is uncorrupt and newly regenerated.

7. Try rebooting your computer to see if you can get into your OLD Windows installation. If you can proceed to step 8

8. DELETE the folder "WINTEMP". Make a backup NOW!