WinXP can't start... HELP

[frapped]

When I boot my computer, it says

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

I copied hal.dll from a working computer onto a disk. When I'm at the command prompt and I type, "copy A:\hal.dll c:\windows\system32\hal.dll" it says it cannot find the specified directory. I then try to CD to c:\windows\system32 but it cannot find it. So I figured it somehow got deleted, and I tried typing "mkdir c:\windows\system32" and that didn't work (cannot create the directory), so I went into c:\windows and tried "mkdir system32" and got the same message. Is there a way to use the Windows XP recovery console to fix this? I have many important files on this hard drive, so I can't afford to toss it. It's a relatively new, 60 gig Western Digital and it's never been physically damaged.

 

[frankieee]

HAL is short for hardware abstraction layer, programming in an operating system that functions as an interface between a systemÂ’s hardware and software, providing a consistent hardware platform on which to run applications. When a HAL is employed, applications do not access hardware directly but access the abstract layer provided by the HAL. Like APIs, HALs allow applications to be device-independent because they abstract information from such systems as caches, I/O buses and interrupts and use this data to give the software a way to interact with the specific requirements of the hardware on which it is running.
If you've placed your hd in a pc that has diff specs, you will get this error. You need to transfer your files to some form of backup (ie. another hd, cd-w, tapes, another share). Don't be alarmed, it is not the blue screen of death and the drive can still be used. It just needs a little work. Reformat my friend...reformat.

 

[frapped]

I did a lot of stuff to that hard drive today, and I managed to fix enough problems to mount the damn thing in Knoppix. After I backup all my stuff, I'm definitely going to format. One more question though: Is there a way to restore those found.000 and file0000.chk folders/files to their original states? Knoppix does a good job letting me browse them, and I've even recovered some mp3s and pictures... but there are so many bits and pieces.

 

[bulger07]

As far as repair thru recovery console check this out :
http://www.compphix.com/corrupthal.html