system32 hal.dll is missing or corupt

Mzedwards,

 

HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) is basically the interface that gets Windows up and running.  Without it, Windows is not going to boot in any mode.  Fortunately, it can be repaired.  See this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314477

 

As you will note, you must have a bootable XP CD to get to Recovery Console to fix the problem.  If your system did not ship with XP and Drivers CDs, you can make a one-time request to Dell for backup CDs: https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

 

There are a number of ways to backup your data BEFORE reinstalling or repairing your Windows installation.   One way is to remove the hard drive from the laptop, install it in a USB adapter housing, connect it to another XP system, and simply copy the needed data to that system's hard drive and/or removable media.  Another way is to create a Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, boot from that CD and use it to copy your data to removable media.  The UBCD is a little more challenging to create (and you'll need an XP CD to create it also).  See this for more info:  www.ubcd4win.com.

 

Quick answer:  Get XP CDs before attempting anything!

 

Tony

The Dell method to resolve that error.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&dl=false&l=en&s=gen&docid=D41BC1D2DB324FFF85D095E5F4244358&doclang=en

Mzedwards,

 

You can purchase an external USB drive enclosure to connect the laptop drive via a USB cable to your desktop or another laptop:  Example:  http://www.priorityelectronics.com/laptopaccessories/laptopaccessoryharddrive.htm

 

There are cheaper solutions, but most of those involve putting an IDE adapter on the laptop drive, opening your desktop and connecting the drive to an IDE cable and a power cable.  Example: http://computers.pricegrabber.com/cables-adapters/m/416467/

 

I would opt for the external USB drive enclosure.  Much quicker, safer and less difficult to configure.

 

Tony

 

Note:  Laptop drives have 2.5-inch form factor.  Some of the external cases are for 3.5-inch form factor.

Hello again,

 

We took out the hard drive but there is no IDE connector on it. What kind of connector is on this hard drive and is there a certain adaptor that we get to connect it to something that is compatable with USB?

 

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook and the identification on my hard drive is this "Toshiba MK6026GAX    HDD2194".

 

Thanks for any help!

Dear Tony,

 

We did buy what you have suggested to get the information off of my computer. However, we are having some issues with the connectors. We have found that the hard drive on my Inspiron 6000 is not IDE. Then we thought that it was SATA, but it does not appear to be that either.

 

Can you please tell us what kind of harddrive this is?

 

Thanks so much,

Marina

Marina,

 

Your Inspiron 6000 hard drive should be a 2.5-inch, Hitachi (IBM) Travelstar 40GNX (40GB) or 5K100 (60GB), 5400rpm IDE drive. 

 

Most laptop drives are mounted in a frame that has a special adapter on it for the 44-pin ATA-5 connector to mate with a connector inside of the laptop.  That adapter must be removed to connect the drive to the external USB laptop drive adapter. 

 

Both the external USB laptop drive adapter and the internal 40-pin to 44-pin IDE to laptop adapter cable that I referenced connect directly to the 44-pin connector on the rear of the laptop drive.  It is keyed.  That is,  a pin (27) is omitted so that the cable cannot be plugged in backwards.

 

So, which item did you buy.  The USB external drive enclosure for a 2.5-inch laptop drive or the 40-pin  desktop IDE to 44-pin laptop IDE cable?

 

Hope this clarifies things for you.

 

Tony

 

 

Hi Tony,

 

Thanks for your information but the hard drive is a Toshiba with a label of HDD2194.  After two screws are removed from the Inspiron 6000, the hard drive can be ejected.  The form-factor is not 2.5-3.5 SATA/IDE because I have usb to ide/sata connectors which won't fit.

 

I'd like to connect this notebook hdd to a USB.

 

Thanks!

 

Marina

Marina,

 

I think I've figured it out.  Sounds like the adapter you have is for a 3.5-inch form factor drive.  If you purchased it from the link I gave you, I'm sure they will exchange it.  

 

I take responsibility for the error.  The example I gave for the external enclosure was just that, an example.  Mud on my face, I went back and checked and the example link I gave was for a 3.5 enclosure rather than the page that showed all external enclosures.  I have corrected that link and added a notation regarding 2.5- and 3.5-inch form factors.

 

The Toshiba MK6026GAX (Mfr. PN: HDD2194) is a 2.5-inch form factor drive with a 44-pin IDC connector.  Specifications are shown here:  http://www.superwarehouse.com/Toshiba_60GB_SuperSlim_MK6026GAX__Hard_Drive/HDD2194/ps/394084

 

I have a 40GB Toshiba MK6026GAX (Mfr. PN: HDD2193) in a USB external enclosure such as the one I described.  

 

Hope this gets you up and running.

 

Tony