system32\hal.dll

[Hybridtheory1975]

My pc with Windows 2000 has crashed, I now get a dos screen with a message stating windows root\system32\hal.dll file needs to be replaced. Due to this I'm unable to reformat my hard drive using the Windows 2000 disc. Anyone got any ideas??

[delane]

I can try to help you. from your disk you will need to restore this file. believe it or not its that simple. system32 is a folder in windows and the hal.dll is the start up file that probably sent you to dos screen. that is probably its function. each dll file carries out a different command. Here is how you need to proceed. extract the file from your cd.

first lets see if system file checker will come up in dos. at the c: prompt type in sfc and enter. it should give you the option to extract one file. if so agree to do so. enter the file name which is hal.dll , system32 is just the folder it was in. windows root means system32 is found in the root folder windows. with me so far. now if it asks where to restore from type in d:win2000 which is your disk in D drive. and enter the system should extract from the disk a restore version of the file. problem resolved. if asks you do you want to replace the existing hal.dll file agree, as we already know its corrupted. if it doesnt ask, probably means you deleted it and replacing it will resolve that issue.

if sfc system file checker doesn't appear try typing at the prompt the whole words system file checker. it should appear. the option to extract should be there you will probably have to tell it where to extract from. and only one file extraction ok. thus d: then it will ask what file to extract from d: type in hal.dll and enter. the extraction should take place. it may tell you extraction successful. good. if it asks to replace or file already exist do you want to proceed with extraction for god sakes override and extract the fresh file or our hard work will be for nothing as the corrupt file has got to die! Don't worry the new one is on the disc. if for some ungodly reason this doesn't work get with someone who knows a little more about extractions in the dos mode. If it works your computer should boot up. now go into safe mode and run anti-virus scan and spyware, clean up anything found. restart again in safe mode and scan again to verify clean up was complete. then you can restart in normal mode and the problem should be resolved. if any other files are also corrupted and you get an error again with a different file name, you will need to extract that file also and replace it. your disk will have all of them as your computer was fine the day you booted it up so good replacements are all on the original disc.

[Hybridtheory1975]

Thx for the great info!! Once I've done that and am ready to format my hard drive with windows 2000. How do I delete the old partition to start of fresh again??

[smurfy]

Before you do anything, please read this:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;237556