system\32\hal.dll missing or corrupt - no XP CD

I know this has been posted before but I don't see what I can do if I have no XP Install CD and cannot even boot up in safe mode with command prompt.

It's a Sony Vaio laptop that my Mom-in-law uses for simple internet browsing and e-mail. I think she save a lot of pictures on there so hopefully I can just do a repair?

Any help appreciated.

 

I have seen this posted for help in this type of situation:

http://www.dreamsupport.us/

Click on the "Lots More Windows Tools", then follow the instructions to move forward, then select Windows XP, then select the link that says CLIENT. Burn the .iso to a CD and proceed from there...

This is a good tool to have:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/ultimate_boot_cd_(ubcd).html

Burn the .iso to CD to retrieve files and run repairs and diagnoistics outside of Windows.

Hope this helps :major

 

I followed the first link and managed to get it burned to disk and booted the computer up. I got to a screen Windows XP Prefossional setup. I picked C: Partition 2 [Unknown] which is the main partition.

When I chose that it said the the partition is either too full, damaged, not formatted or formatted with an incompatible file system.

There is 70166 MB free on that partition.

So now the only choice is to format the partition which will erase everything. I am trying to find a way to do this without losing everything. Is there a way to just repair or get this file installed without wiping the computer clean?

Help!

 

Ultimate Boot CD will at least get the files off the drive for you. Link is the second one in the original post. There are several tools that will give you the ability to copy files to a functioning disk. If you get stuck choosing a tool on the disk, you can try this:

PhotoRec

It's included as a module of Parted Magic.

Not sure how to go about this repair without the ability to use the Windows installation disk.