Boot Failure: "\system 32\hal.dll missing"

OS: windows xp pro, Dell Dim. 3000, error reads "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system 32\hal.dll
Please reinstall a copy of the above file.

I have a Dell issued disk of Windows XP Pro, upon booting using this, it does not contain a repair option in the installation section but does have the Repair Console. Reading Microsoft's website instructions on this exact failure, using the repair console's bootcfg /rebuild I was able to open windows and proceed to backup and repair the Boot.ini. It is at this point I need help! Backing it up brought an error message, the exact words I forget, but it said I can't access or make changes to the boot.ini at this time. When I opened the file in notepad it was blank. Reading Microsofts instructions on "Modifying the boot.ini file" all the options require the /ID#. (example:bootcfg /copy /d Operating System Description /ID#). The computer will not accept any number I have attempted!

Can anyone help me repair or replace this file? I don't want to reinstall windows and loose all my programs.