missing or corrupt <windows root>/system 32 hal.dll

Question

ships 0 Newbie Poster

20 Years Ago

My pc will not startup and run normally. I receive a message on power up "that windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt <windows root>/system 32 hal.dll please re-install a copy of the above file".

I made an ms-dos startup disk from another PC. I put the floppy in the tainted pc and now have an c:\> prompt, but I have no idea what to do next, please advise.

microsoft:windows-10-11 microsoft:windows-nt-2000-xp microsoft:windows-vista-7-8

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Latest Post 15 Years Ago Latest Post by Jim.liu

Dani AI

Generated 10 Months Ago

For and anyone arriving later: the "missing or corrupt <windows root>/system32/hal.dll" message can come from several different causes—boot-record or filesystem corruption, a HAL/driver mismatch after hardware or BIOS changes, failing disk, or bad RAM. Several useful pointers already appear in the thread (, , , ); below is a compact, practical workflow that prioritizes data safety and non‑destructive checks.

If you only have an MS‑DOS floppy and a C:> prompt, be aware that plain DOS typically cannot read NTFS volumes. That may make the partition and hal.dll invisible from that environment. First priority: boot an NTFS‑aware rescue environment (Windows PE, a Linux live CD/USB, or a reputable rescue ISO) and copy personal files off the drive to an external disk or another machine before attempting destructive fixes.

Do some quick, non‑destructive checks next: confirm the BIOS detects the hard disk and that the drive is the first boot device; note the BIOS SATA mode (IDE/AHCI/RAID) and any recent hardware changes; run an extended memory test (as suggested) and a manufacturer HDD SMART/diagnostic from bootable media. If the drive fails diagnostics, replace it before reinstalling Windows.

If you can access the Windows Recovery Console (or WinPE/Recovery Environment), repairing the boot area is often the next step. From Recovery Console you can run, in order:

fixmbr
fixboot
bootcfg /rebuild

After that, run a filesystem check from the recovery environment and try to boot. Do not attempt to "fix" this by copying hal.dll from another machine—the HAL and boot components are specific to the installation and hardware and copying usually makes things worse (see comments from and ). If repair fails, a repair‑install or clean install will be necessary; if you lack media, request OEM recovery media or use a bootable PE/rescue disc and recover data first.

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gemini4 2 Posting Whiz in Training

20 Years Ago

You need your operating system cd.

You have to put the cd in, disconnect any USB devices from your computer and take the floppy out and then restart. When it says "Press any key to boot from the cd.." hit enter.

From this point on you will have to wait a couple of minutes. Then you will get to a screen that says: "To setup windows xp now hit Enter" so do that.

Then you have to agree with the license agreement by hitting F8

Then on the next screen you will be asked if you want to repair. Hit R to repair.

The repair will take up to 40 minutes.

Hope it works.

gemini4 2 Posting Whiz in Training

20 Years Ago

The hal.dll file is created during install from 5 other dlls. HAL is the Hardware Abstraction Layer and it's the interface between the system drivers and the actual hardware.

Copying hal.dll will not resolve the problem.

A lot of times the file will be reported missing due to corruption of the boot sector or of the file system. However for the commands that will fix that you will still need a copy of the Windows XP cd.

If your computer is made by an Original Equipment Manufacturer like Dell for example you could contact them for a copy of the cd.

Here is a more comprehensive article on Hal.dll errors: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

alc6379 120 Cookie... That's it

20 Years Ago

Sometimes hal.dll can be recreated. But, chances are, you're looking at a deeper issue, as those described in the great link gemini4 provided. Or, you could even be looking at hardware failure-- the drive itself could be bad, or the filesystem could be damaged.

Best thing to do is acquire a Windows XP disc for your system, and try to run something like CHKDSK from recovery console, or get some hardware diagnostic programs for your system. At the very worst, you're going to need an XP disc, still, because you'll soon be faced with an OS reinstall in light of few other options.

rasputinj 5 Junior Poster

20 Years Ago

Most of the time for a Hal.dll issue I run a chkdsk /R, if that does not work, I test out the drive and a great deal of the time I have a bad drive, after that I will run the repair install.

DjLizard 0 Light Poster

20 Years Ago

I'd try a memtest first, too, just in case (especially since it doesn't involve waiting through a complete Windows install). I can actually cause this error on my media machine by putting in this one stick of RAM I have that is known-bad. Make a memtest floppy or CD-ROM, boot to it, and let it run for at least 3 hours. If there is even one error, one of your memory modules is faulty.

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ships 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 1 · 2006-02-04T07:44:08+00:00

I purchased the pc used with the software already loaded, an other options. Can I copy a file from my other win xp pc and install?

Thnks so much for you time

index-it 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 2 · 2006-06-08T00:14:28+00:00

You need your operating system cd.
You have to put the cd in, disconnect any USB devices from your computer and take the floppy out and then restart. When it says "Press any key to boot from the cd.." hit enter.
From this point on you will have to wait a couple of minutes. Then you will get to a screen that says: "To setup windows xp now hit Enter" so do that.
Then you have to agree with the license agreement by hitting F8
Then on the next screen you will be asked if you want to repair. Hit R to repair.
The repair will take up to 40 minutes.
Hope it works.

if I follow your instructions will I have to reinstall all the programs that I had on the system?

dawa 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 3 · 2006-09-05T22:20:02+00:00

As stated below please supply me with solution.

My pc will not startup and run normally. I receive a message on power up "that windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt <windows root>/system 32 hal.dll please re-install a copy of the above file".
I made an ms-dos startup disk from another PC. I put the floppy in the tainted pc and now have an c:\> prompt, but I have no idea what to do next, please advise.

gemini4 2 Posting Whiz in Training · Answer 4 · 2006-09-05T22:27:03+00:00

You don't need a DOS boot disk. What you need is the Windows XP installation CD.

Follow this fix:

http://www.myfixes.com/articles/system

cello2010 -3 Newbie Poster · Answer 5 · 2009-05-13T18:38:38+00:00

Hello,

I have the same problem, but I do not have the reboot disk, mine is only a small netbook with windows XP I just bought the damned thing a few months (3 months ago)..Please someone HELP ME!! I am not sure what I should do....If you can help me e-mail me at

THANKS!!!

caperjack 875 I hate 20 Questions Team Colleague · Answer 6 · 2009-05-13T19:23:49+00:00

Hello,
I have the same problem, but I do not have the reboot disk, mine is only a small netbook with windows XP I just bought the damned thing a few months (3 months ago)..Please someone HELP ME!! I am not sure what I should do....If you can help me e-mail me at
THANKS!!!

no need to double post,and hijack another post ,stick to the post you created !

tony336 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 7 · 2009-08-04T05:18:26+00:00

It would be nice if someone knew the answer to this problem . We cannot download anything as we can't get past the black screen with the message on about a missing 32 file, Also I do NOT have the OS disk , it was pre-installed by Dell.

caperjack 875 I hate 20 Questions Team Colleague · Answer 8 · 2009-08-04T05:35:22+00:00

It would be nice if someone knew the answer to this problem . We cannot download anything as we can't get past the black screen with the message on about a missing 32 file, Also I do NOT have the OS disk , it was pre-installed by Dell.

hi,because you have no disk, the the solution for you is take your computer to a good computer repair shop

AnimeKing 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 9 · 2009-11-07T13:19:19+00:00

same error of hal.dll.
tried to follow steps given by gemini4.
i tried the xp cd buh buh cudnt load it..
pllzz help.urgent
(can't go to a repair shop)

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 10 · 2009-11-07T13:35:43+00:00

Hi,
Start your own thread. Please give us a lot more information.
How did you try to do a repair from OS CD?
What happens when you do try?
What is your main problem?
What is your PC?
The more information you supply the better chance of us helping you OK.

tony336 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 11 · 2009-11-07T23:40:40+00:00

same error of hal.dll.
tried to follow steps given by gemini4.
i tried the xp cd buh buh cudnt load it..
pllzz help.urgent
(can't go to a repair shop)

Hi, Since I couldn't afford the megabucks wanted by the repair shop, I bought a used OS CD and a drivers CD from eBay and installed from scratch, took about 2 hours and cost just over £20.00. Result success.

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 12 · 2009-11-08T05:02:14+00:00

Hi,
Good news, please, next time open a new thread for your problems, OK.

camalo 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 13 · 2009-11-20T23:07:45+00:00

this is in connection with the response for pc boot failure when i used my xp cd. yes so far i understand how to boot but what if my keyboard doesnot respond when i hit enter. i have since change the key board and the same thing happens could u tell me what am i doing wroug?

caperjack 875 I hate 20 Questions Team Colleague · Answer 14 · 2009-11-21T01:14:01+00:00

this is in connection with the response for pc boot failure when i used my xp cd. yes so far i understand how to boot but what if my keyboard doesnot respond when i hit enter. i have since change the key board and the same thing happens could u tell me what am i doing wroug?

hi welcome to Daniweb ,You have hijacked a old on going thread .
please read the member rules and after that start your own thread and give as much info you can as to what you are doing and what error if have .
read rules thanks .
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/faq.php?faq=daniweb_policies

ahmad hassan sw 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 15 · 2010-09-23T23:39:08+00:00

i have a problem with my lap top and when i i installed the windows cd it gives an error missing or corrupt <windows root>/system 32 hal.dll and stuck i need to get solution for that

Jim.liu 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 16 · 2010-09-24T10:56:24+00:00

To solve this issue you can swop the corrupt file with a good one from another PC. But there is a problem. According to your previous posts, as if you are not good at DOS command. If you can get a copy of WinPE then you would fine it is very easy and amazing to finish this swopping operation. On other hand, if you can't get WinPE. Let me know, I would like to how you how finish this swopping operation in DOS environment. You still can fine the instruction about Copy command in DOS environment by Google. Below is a brief sample FYI:
First copy a hal.dll file to your boot floopy frome a good PC. then boot your NG PC with this floopy. Whe the "A:\" show up on your screen:

A:\ copy hal.dll C:\windows\system32\

(A:\command file-name destination)

missing or corrupt <windows root>/system 32 hal.dll

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