Laptop missing file for xp use will not run

Hello,

My Dell Inspiron 6000 is missing the <windows root>\system32\hal.dll file. So every time I turn it on it will show the loading screen that says Dell in big writing and the type of laptop I have, but after that it shows an error screen that says that <windows root>\system32\hal.dll file is missing or corrupt. I do not have the windows xp installation disk nor can I afford one. I have made numerous attempts to download a free version of xp to put on my 4GB flash drive, but it will not load or anything. I need this laptop for work and I at least need it to be able to run until I can afford a windows xp disk. Please help me.