Windows has shat itself.

[Bodzilla]

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<windows root>\system32\hal.dll

please reinstall a copy of the above file."

Basically i need to boot up windows replace the file and/or do a system install.
anyone know how to fix this without doing a clean install.

i think i've got a basic idea but i'm struggling to get it to work for me.

and on a side not, does it look like my HD is on the way out?

[Rook]

Get hal.dll from the net, boot with a linux live CD and put it into the system32 directory?

[Bodzilla]

your talking to a retard here, can you be more instructive?

i'll call you my teacher and you can call me naughty.

But seriously i need step by step if ya can help me here and link me to the programs i need :|

[Rook]

1) Download hal.dll here (http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?hal).

2) Get a version of ubuntu, and burn it to a DVD. Here (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download). You will obviously have to do this on a working computer.

3) Put hal.dll on a flash drive or some other storage and then put the flash drive in your borked computers USB port.

4) Put the ubuntu disc in and boot from the disc, it'll ask if you want to install ubunutu or use the OS without installing, you'll want to use without installing.

5) When it finally boots up you should be able to access all your hard drives and flash drives, go into your flash drive and copy hal.dll to the system32 folder on your hard drive.

[Cortexian]

Download one of the many free "live" versions of Linux out there that include an NTFS file browser/manager. From there burn it to a CD/DVD and boot it in your failed PC, use another PC to download the missing file (hal.dll) and use a USB storage key or something to get it onto the failed PC running the live Linux distro.

I've never had to to it myself, so I can't recommend specifics... Sorry! :saddowns:

Damnit rewk!

[sdavis117]

I'd advise you use Knoppix, it is slightly smaller than Ubuntu and was designed to be used as a Live CD operating system.

http://www.knoppix.net/

[SnaFuBAR]

knoppix is the way to go for this.

[jcap]

There's also a chance that the file is there. If it is, you want to do a chkdsk to repair the drive.

[Rook]

Never heard of knoppix, I'll give it a try when the need comes.

[Good_Apollo]

I had this problem. Doing a fix install of XP would temporarily make it work but then other files (or the same hal.dll) would become corrupt again and it'd be dead. I only fixed it through a clean install.

[Amit]

I had this problem. Doing a fix install of XP would temporarily make it work but then other files (or the same hal.dll) would become corrupt again and it'd be dead. I only fixed it through a clean install.

Not necessarily. I've repaired corrupted/missing system files before using the Windows XP repair console. Hell, I did this for my XP PC last year and it's been working for 8 months with no problems.

[Cortexian]

I had this problem. Doing a fix install of XP would temporarily make it work but then other files (or the same hal.dll) would become corrupt again and it'd be dead. I only fixed it through a clean install.
That sounds more like a virus that's getting into your system32 folder and deleting system files. Did you try running an AV scan in safe mode after replacing the files?

[FRain]

also hijackthis

seriously you should post one if you get it running again

[Bodzilla]

i'm posting from ubuntu right now, i got the hal.dll file and i've replaced the file in the folder half a dozen fucking times, it still says it's broken and corrupt >_<

i think with ubuntu though i'll atleast be able to access my steam account and all of my games, so i might just stay here.
E: cant get steam to work on ubuntu.

fmfl.

[Rook]

Pretty sure you won't be able to play steam games under linux. Do you not have your windows cd to do a clean install? You could back up your files via the linux then start fresh.

[Bodzilla]

ALL I FUCKING WANT TO DO IS PLAY VIDJEO GAMES


//wrists//

i have a clean install as well, only thing is for some fucked reason i cant get the drivers to work for the ethernet on the motherboard, hence why i cant get internet and why steam cant verify it's account AND WONT LET ME PLAY THE VIDJEO GAMES.

been trying to get this shit right for like 3 fucking days and i'm fuckign tired of failing fmfl mflmflmflmlmflmflmf >FLFMF . LU! >:U!!!!!!111111111

[Bhamid]

Run steam under wine, platinum rating on Ubuntu 9.10 :)

[jcap]

i'm posting from ubuntu right now, i got the hal.dll file and i've replaced the file in the folder half a dozen fucking times, it still says it's broken and corrupt >_<

i think with ubuntu though i'll atleast be able to access my steam account and all of my games, so i might just stay here.
E: cant get steam to work on ubuntu.

fmfl.
I told you it was likely the file wasn't missing.

http://www.modacity.net/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=504829

[Jelly]

Put in a windows XP disc (assuming you're using XP) and press r. Literally the R key on your keyboard. you press that.

That does a repair install which replaces all the system files with shiny new ones from the disk. You may need to reinstall your service pack (if the disk is pretty old) or some drivers after doing it, but your vidya should otherwise work.