HAL.DLL CORRUPT OR MISSING

When logging to windows, below error message appears on your screen:

HAL.DLL missing or corrupted


Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Hal.dll
This problem is usually due to the file BOOT.INI instead of the DLL.

Solution

Restart your computer and boot same with a boot disk. (You can download if you don’t have one under this link: www.bootdisk.com).

Go to command prompt.
Enter the following commands:

C:
edit boot.ini


You will access BOOT.INI. As default, it will appear as below:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professionnel" /fastdetect





The error often occurs after an installation of a 2nd operating system. Change partition (1) to partition (2), and if it does not change, try until you fell on it.


If you do not want to repeat several times Boot.ini, copy the line after [operating systems] and change the number at each time.

You will now have an option in the menu that will enable you to access safe mode without having to press F8 at start up.