Okay, the first problem is, I read the link you suggested and it says to start at start. Well, the computer wont boot to a window screen, all we get is a black screen with that hal.dll error, so where do we start from a black screen.

 

sharon

okay, so far, I got it to do this. it is now loading windows xp off the reinstall disc from dell.will let you know how it goes.

 

HAL.DLL MISSING OR CORRUPT ERROR MESSAGE

If you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfigured.

Here's what to do:

1. Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD.
2. At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3. Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
4. Typically this will be #1
5. Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file
6. Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair it
7. Take out the CD ROM and type exit

Yahhhh!!! XP Home installed, it is plain as all get out but at least it boots up to window's xp.  now the only problem is my sons dell is a 4600 (he say he didnt get any disc with his, is that possable) I used my driver disc for my 2400 and alot of the drivers installed, but not all and installed the service pack 2. so will have to check the net for the drivers for the sound card and the ethernet card.  and the dang kid lost the install disk for my wireless card he is using, so cant update from the net.  man, what would we do with out kids? Have alote more free time on our hands, that's fer sure.

 

thanks for the help,

sharon