Missing hal.dll file

Please can someone help me. I have a dell laptop. I have a missing or corrupt hal.dll file. Thats fine. Simply reinstall the windows xp discs. Won't read it. However, i think that the problem is with the boot.ini file. I have tried everything possible. I have changed the boot order to try and get the laptop to read the cd, this won't work. I have tried to boot in safe mode with command prompt, however windows is always the default and i am back to square one. I no longer know whether I am coming or going with this thing anymore. I have been trying for 2 weeks now. Can anyone help me.... At least to get to the good old fashioned C:\ prompt????

 

Hi Niknsi,

Have you tried DELL's technical support? If you post the Dell Model Number it may help.

 

They simply told me to re install my copy of windows, which I have tried but the CD starts and then stops after about 10 seconds and I come up with the same error message. It is quite an old laptop and no longer covered by warranty.

 

See previous post

 

Sorry. Read "POST" wrong. Its a Dell Inspiron 1300 Model number PP21L

 

When you try to boot from your XP Cd you're getting the invalid Hal.dll message?

Are you prompted at anytime during the boot to "press any key to boot from CD" or similar?

 

Yes. Everytime. And no I am not prompted to boot from the CD. I have changed the boot sequence so that the CD is number 1. I have tried to boot in safe modes but it will not read the CD at all. I even asked in PC World and all they said was "Dells are a problem" Great help they were !

 

Try cleaning your CD drive and either cleaning the disk or borrowing one from a friend if possible. And yes PC World are great aren't they

 

Will give it a clean tomorrow. Think I will get some sleep now. Many thanks for your help however. Sorry if I was a bit "blonde" with regards to the posting the model number bit. Thought you meant Royal Mail. Many thanks....

 

No problem, it is getting late.

Have to admit though if you still think the Royal Mail actually do any posting I'm worried. Dunno what your service is like but here it stinks

 

You may want to check if there is an OS Install Mode in the BIOS. I've had occasional problems reinstalling machines unless this was turned on.

 

Check post #11 HERE and you can download and create a boot floppy or CD that will allow you to boot if the problem is as you suspect, the boot.ini file. Many times that's the case and a good Quick Boot disk will allow you to make repairs easily.

 

@Surfer,

The system isn't booting from CD (before it even looks at boot.ini).

 

I was thinking if the Windows setup CD was bad and not being detected, the QB disk would work around that obstacle. Of course if there is a floppy drive available, that would be another option. Some laptops have them but rare lately.

 

I see where you're coming from, I was going to suggest using HD manufacters Diagnostics for to test both CD booting and test HD after the cleaning.

There's no floppy on this model but perhaps niknsi has an external drive?

I'm still not convinced the boot.ini is at fault though.

Best to wait for feedback from the original poster.