ProblemYou receive the "HAL.DLL Missing or Corrupt" error message at startup. Solution
DiscussionThis error often occurs during an installation of Windows XP, especially if you have used a boot utility or have otherwise modified the root BOOT.INI file, causing the NTLOADER process to lose track of where the Windows files are located. Rebuilding the boot configuration or removing modifications to the BOOT.INI file is a sure fix. You can modify the BOOT.INI file using the bootfcfg command line program available if you run the Recovery Console after booting from a Windows XP installation CD or the command line within XP. Bootcfg is a rudimentary editor specific to adding, deleting, or changing entries in the BOOT.INI file. See AlsoMS KB 314477, "Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because of a Computer Disk Hardware Configuration Problem" |