Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt

Hello,

Windows XP Pro SP3 with all updates on a (5 year old) Dell Inspiron 9400. IE8. Norton Internet Security 2011.

I've just got the error -

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

From the recovery console I've tried -

chkdsk /r
fixboot
fixmbr
expand e:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32

All to no avail!

I'm guessing this is due to a HDD failure. However, I would like to get the old girl going as, while I have all my data backed-up, it's my programs. Most of them are old, but serve my purpose. Most were downloaded and those that weren't - well who knows where the discs are! And yes, they're all legal and registered.

I'm hoping that, if I can get her up and going again, I can use something like Acronis to back-up and then restore to new HDD.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Tim

 

plodr,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Followed that link (http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findby...singhaldll.htm) and it worked for me.

Many thanks,

Tim

 

If you don't mind, please share which step worked for you

 

Sorry for delay in reply - sleep time in the UK.

I followed the link - http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/a/missinghaldll.htm and step 4 seemed like my next move - 'repair or replace boot.ini'

Typed 'bootcfg /rebuild' in the recovery console, followed instructions and the old girl booted!

Now to get Acronis or some such!

Many thanks you guys,

Tim