Windows XP won't start - have tried everything

[purpled6489]

Got the following message on starting my computer.

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
<windows root>system32.hal.dll
Please reinstall a copy of above file"

Have my install cd but do not have the "R" repair option. Would like to save
my existing files but I have tried everything, to no avail. I am beginning to
think all is lost.

Has anybody gotten through this successfully.

 

[philo]

Got the following message on starting my computer.

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
<windows root>system32.hal.dll
Please reinstall a copy of above file"

Have my install cd but do not have the "R" repair option. Would like to save
my existing files but I have tried everything, to no avail. I am beginning to
think all is lost.

Has anybody gotten through this successfully.

I advise popping the drive in another machine
then backing up your data

 

[JS]

Suggested sites:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor.htm
and: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm
and: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/missinghal_dll.htm
and: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330184

JS