windows can not start missing or corrupt file help!

#1 head hunter

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Posted 17 November 2010 - 08:53 PM

My HP dv8000 has a major issue. Start it up and I get a black screen that says " windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll. Please reinstall a copy of the above file".
I am a newbie at trying to fix issues and could use some help or this thing will become a paper weight or boat anchor. Thanks

#2 dc3

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Posted 17 November 2010 - 10:09 PM

Can you boot into Safe Mode?

If you can go to Start> Run and type in cmd. When the next page opens type in chkdsk c: /p and then click on enter.

#3 head hunter

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Posted 17 November 2010 - 11:43 PM

I get to the screen where I have the option, and when I do it takes me back to the screen with te message about not being able to start windows. Same responce no mater which option I pick.

#4 dc3

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Posted 17 November 2010 - 11:47 PM

Do you have the installation disk for this operating system, or know someone with one of the same version as yours that you can borrow?

#5 head hunter

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Posted 17 November 2010 - 11:57 PM

Unfortunately not, and not sure of the correct version.
I don't mind loosing all the information currently on the machine ( I backed it up on disk three weeks before) but would like to salvage it and be able to use it foe a little while longer.

#6 dc3

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Posted 18 November 2010 - 12:02 AM

By version I meant XP Home or Professional.

I wasn't going to suggest that you reinstall the operating system. If you can borrow a installation CD you can run sfc with the scannow option, this will scan and repair important Windows files. If it come down to it, you can do a repair installation which won't affect your files, applications, photos, etc.