<Windows root>/system32/hal.dll

[Cox2564]

Tonight, I turned on my computer and before it could get to the Windows loading screen, a message came up saying Windows could not start because the following file was missing or corrupt: /system32/hal.dll....This has never happend before, and I have tried ways to fix it provided by other message board and forums. One way that was listed was to try to reinstall Windows XP. I do that and go throught the repair stage and Recovery Console. During that it asks for the administrator password, so, I type in my password I enter everyday I turn on my computer, but it says that it is an invalid password. I then try all other passwords I could think of that I have used in the past, but it still won't work. I would appreciate it if someone could help me with this by giving me a way to fix the file or a way to reset the administrative password without starting Windows. Please reply to this, send a private message, or e-mail me at jamesccox@gmail.com. Thank you.

[ITlover]

Originally Posted by Cox2564 Tonight, I turned on my computer and before it could get to the Windows loading screen, a message came up saying Windows could not start because the following file was missing or corrupt: /system32/hal.dll....This has never happend before, and I have tried ways to fix it provided by other message board and forums. One way that was listed was to try to reinstall Windows XP. I do that and go throught the repair stage and Recovery Console. During that it asks for the administrator password, so, I type in my password I enter everyday I turn on my computer, but it says that it is an invalid password. I then try all other passwords I could think of that I have used in the past, but it still won't work. I would appreciate it if someone could help me with this by giving me a way to fix the file or a way to reset the administrative password without starting Windows. Please reply to this, send a private message, or e-mail me at jamesccox@gmail.com. Thank you.

the OS communicates with the hardware devices through HAL(Hardware Abstract Layer) file and if this file gets corrupt, then the OS doesnot load because it needs the information about the hardware devices installed in the computer before completely loading.

Did you install or re-install any driver before this problem occured?
Are you able to enter safe mode? if you are, then try to use system restore.

[Ob1]

have you tried a blank password for the adminstrator password? if you dont remember putting an administrator password on that account then chances are its blank. there are password reset tools available but the only one im familiar with that i use is Winternals but it costs about $1000. it can do a lot more then just reset passwords. o i just thought of another one, do a google search for the BartPE, i believe it has a feature to reset passwords, or you can add it in if im not mistaken.

second option is to backup wipe the drive and reinstall if you can't get into the recovery console.

if you can get into the recovery console, then run chkdsk /p to see if that fixes the problem.

[Cox2564]

thank you Ob1, i used the blank password and after i did the steps that windows provided on their website and it says:
"After you perform the preceding steps, restart the computer, and then select the first item on the boot menu. This should allow Windows XP to start normally.

After Windows XP has successfully loaded, the Boot.ini can be modified to remove the incorrect entry. "
how do i modify the Boot.ini to remove the incorrect entry?

[Ob1]

open windows explorer and go to tools>folder options>view tab>uncheck hide hidden operating system files.

double click on it and it will open in notepad. then delete the extra line showing in the boot.ini file.