PC Will not boot up

I have a Dell Optiplex that was running xp-pro and it is giving me problems. It was working fine, but now when I try to boot up it gives this error: "Windows could not start because the following file is missing. Windows root>\system32\hall.dll Please reinstall a copy of this file." I cannot reinstall the o/s because the cd driver isn't there without the o/s. I have another pc with the same o/s so I can get a copy of the file, but how do I install it on the broken pc without the cd working? Thanks,
Baffled

 

Have you tried restarting it since then? I remember this happened to one of my clients' computers, a simple restart was all it needed. Also, make sure the boot drive is the correct one. Other than that, I'm not too sure just yet on how to get it working without a CD drive, its the only way I know of to fix it if the .dll file really is missing.

 

hal.dll is a major file which I believe is system specific. I am not sure, but this may mean that copying the file from another PC may not work.

If you wish to test it, download and burn ubuntu to a disc, and boot from the disc. The you should be able to access the drive with the OS on it and copy the file.

 

Only one issue with this-- No working CD Drive

Best I can suggest is to get a USB CD Drive and work around it that way.