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hal.dll is missing


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ShadowPuterDude

Mon May 08 2006, 02:27PM

...the Shadow knows

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This is a Self-Help Procedure. MalwareTeks is in no way liable for anything which may go wrong.

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

\system32\hal.dll

Please print out these instructions so that you can operate with All Browser Windows CLOSED.

This issue may occur if the Boot.ini file is missing, damaged, or contains incorrect entries.

Step 1: Replacing the boot.ini

To resolve this issue, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer.

2. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.

3. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.

4. When you receive the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to start the Recovery Console.

5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console.

6. When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.

7. At the C:\WINDOWS> prompt, type the following: cd \

8. Press Enter. At the C:\> prompt, type the following: ren boot.ini boot.in2

9. Press Enter. At the C:\> prompt, type the following: ren boot.bak boot.ini.

10. Press Enter. At the C:\> prompt, type the following: exit

11. Press Enter.

The system automatically restarts. If the computer does not start normally, continue to the next Step.

Step 2: Editing the boot.ini

Use the following steps to edit the boot.ini file.

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.

2. In the Tools menu, click Folder Options.

3. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.

4. In the Advanced Settings area, under Files and Folders, add check marks to the following items:

Display the contents of system folders
Show hidden files and folders

and remove the checkmarks from the following items:

Hide extensions for known file types
Hide protected operating system files

A warning message appears stating that you have chosen to display protected system files.

5. Click Yes to accept the changes.

6. From the My Computer window, locate and double-click C:

7. Locate and right-click boot.ini, then click Properties.

8. Remove the check mark from Read-only, click Apply, and then click OK.

9. Double-click the boot.ini file.

The boot.ini file will open in Windows notepad.

10. Edit the boot.ini file to read exactly as follows:

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

NOTE: If your computer came with Windows XP Professional, edit the line referring to Home Edition under [operating systems] to read as follows: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

11. After editing the boot.ini file, place a check mark next to the Read-only attribute in the file Properties window, and then click OK.

12. Restart the computer. The error message should no longer appear, and Windows should start as normal.

Alternate Solution

If the steps above fail to resolve the error, use the following steps:

NOTE: The following steps require that the recovery partition on the hard drive be intact. If the recovery partition has been removed or damaged, use a recovery partition, recovery tools CD, Windows XP CD, or recovery console CD to access the command prompt or recover the computer.

1. Turn on the computer. When the initial logo screen appears, press the F10 key repeatedly until a message about starting recovery appears.

2. At the Recovery screen, click Advanced Options and then press the Alt and D keys at the same time to go to a command prompt.

NOTE: If the command prompt does not open, start the computer with a Windows XP CD, Recovery Console CD, or Recovery Tools CD in the top CD or DVD drive. Enter the recovery console by pressing the R key just after the first screen, and then logging into Windows. Doing so opens a command prompt.

3. At the command Prompt, type the following: diskpart

4. Press Enter and type the following at the diskpart prompt: list volume
A table of drive volumes and names appears.

5. Note the drive letter next to the main drive volume name

6. Type the following at the diskpart prompt: Exit

7. Press Enter and type the drive letter followed by a colon (:) at the command prompt. For example, D:.

8. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt: attrib -h -s -r boot.ini

9. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt: boot.ini

10. The file opens for editing in Notepad. Edit the boot.ini file to read exactly as follows:

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

NOTE: If your computer came with Windows XP Professional, edit the line referring to Home Edition under [operating systems] to read as follows: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

11. Save and Exit the text editor.

12. Type the following at the command prompt: attrib +h +s +r boot.ini

13. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt: Exit

14.Click Quit on the recovery screen to restart the computer.

The computer should now restart without the error message. If the error still persists, perform a full system recovery.

[ Edited Mon May 08 2006, 02:43PM ]

"Only those who fail greatly can ever achieve greatly" - Robert F. Kennedy
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Consumer Security (2007-2008)
Member - Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals - Since 2006
Linux Registered User # 363218


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