While i was uninstalling a program XP became unstable so i did a Ctl+Alt+Delete, restarted, uninstalled again, same thing, when it restarted this time screen read:

\system32\hal.dll

windows could not find start because the following file is missing or corrupt

please reinstall a copy of above file

 

I have tried a soft start etc.  but to no avail

 

thanks,

clampsmith@yahoo.com