Error-"windows root system 32 hal.dll

[BeachGaBulldog]

This error came up 3 days ago, and I still can't get it resolved. I have Googled, and gone into other forums, but not much help.
Some people said to go into the BIOS and make the CDROM the primary boot, which I have done. I have my Windows XP CD, and it runs, but nothing else happens, so I can't even get to the Recovery Console which apparently I am supposed to be able to do. Everytime I reboot, it immediately goes to the error message. I don't know what to do. I have tons of files that I can't lose. PLEASE HELP!

You might be able to remove the corrupted hd, slave it to a working computer and copy the system32 hal.dll file to it.

[hammer_]

There are two Option Try to follow these instructions: >
Option 1:

Boot from your CD and follow the directions to start Recovery Console. Then:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
DEL C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild
Fixboot

Option 2:

Boot from your CD and follow the directions below to start Recovery Console.

Insert the Setup compact disc (CD) and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD.
When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts; choose the repair or recover option by pressing R.

If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console.
When prompted, type the Administrator password. (if you didn't create one try pressing enter).

At the system prompt, type Recovery Console commands; type help for a list of commands, or help commandname for help on a specific command.

Most likely you will need to expand the file from the CD. The command would be expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll. Substitute d: for the drive letter of your CD. Once you have expanded the file type "exit" to exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer