When I got back from work and switch on my Dell 9300 Notebook about 2 days ago, I was prompted with this error "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Hal.dll", what is this... not now I said to myself (hehe.. tone down version of swearing..) Emm well.. I know I have to search for the Windows XP Recovery CD so since I cannot remember where in the world I put it I have to use another computer to find answers..

Searching the net I found out it is a rather common error.. mine I suppose occurs after a windows update process the previous night. Anyhow after borrowing Windows XP Setup CD from office I tried the many ways found in the net how to overcome this problem. One of the way is by booting the windows and then hit "R" to repair the windows intallation. But it asked to put an Administrator Password in which I didn't even remember ever setting it so it is a dead end after countless tries of the many password that I have ever used.

After much deliberation I think I may have a solution that may work, a modification of some of the reading found regarding the error. Below is the steps taken in which I managed to get back my Windows XP the same state before the hal.dll error occurs. I need to write this so that I know at least what to do if ever it happens again in the future.

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1. Boot up using the Windows XP Setup CD.
2. Install a new copy of Windows XP onto the same partition with the previous one. (Just press "Enter", if not mistaken)
3. When the program asked which folder to install, use a different one from your windows folder. If you previous one is c:\windows then please use, for example, c:\win2 instead of any name of your choosing.
4. The program will copy the installation software and will restart..
5. Just let the Installation CD in the CD Drive so that it would boot as if wanted to install new XP again. Don't remove the CD as it would install new Windows XP and you don't really want to do that.
6. This time don't do and installation but hit "R" instead to Repair the XP.
7. Then you will enter a recovery console.
8. It will asked which installation of windows you want to enter, use the new one, say the "c:\win2" not the original one since like I said my original windows got Administrator password, in which I do not know what it is.
9. When it asked for the password just press Enter since the new copy has no password just yet.
10. You then will be entering a command prompt c:\win2>_
11. Go down to C:>_ ( cd .. )
12. Change attribute of boot.ini, (attrib -r -s -h boot.ini)
13. Rename or delete the boot.ini file. (ren boot.ini boot.old) or (del boot.ini)
14. Type bootcfg /rebuild
15. When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press accordingly but you don't want the new boot.ini to add the c:\win2 folder, use the bold as the answer :

Total Identified Windows Installs: 2

[1] C:\Win2
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All) N
[2] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All) Y
Enter Load Identifier Windows XP Home/Professional Edition
Enter OS Load options /fastdetect

16. Then press Enter and type Exit to quit the recovery console.

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I got my Windows XP back intact with all the progams working perfectly as before... Yeah!!!!. I just delete the c:\win2 folder, thank you for your service. :D

It occurs to me if I were to put "My Windows" as the load indentifier it should works fine also but heck I am not that eager to explore just want my windows back.