Windows won't reboot, wont let me fix it.

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.

When i boot this (Northgate) PC i keep running into that message. I put in a xp upgrade copy and told BIOS to boot from CD. It did not. Then i disabeld all non CD boots; it still didn't boot from CD, but this time it said press any key to boot from CD, but even when i pressed keys went to the "<windows root>/system32/hal.dll" error.
I tried then to use a hacked full version of windows, again booting from the CD, didn't work. Linux wouldn't boot from floppy, CD, or Flash Drive.

I think there must be a problem with the BIOS or the HD.

Thanks for any help i can get.

 

Had that problem once, it's a major pain. The problem may actually be a corrupt boot.ini file; but in any case, try the solutions here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000490.htm

Also see: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/a/missinghaldll.htm