Missing system33\hal.dll.

14 years ago

Am using WindowsXP.home. On a Gateway desktop.Somehow my

computer will not allow me to go to safe mode. Message

appears on the screen. Stating that windows cannot boot to

safe mode. Because of a missing Windows root>system32\

hal.dll. I have gone on line to search for this file

hoping to download the file, in order to replace it. But

everywhere I have searched, only wants me to pay for a

program to fix missing files. Is there no where to get

these files downloaded. And repair them myself. I have a

restore disk for my computer, But cannot get the disk to

restore.When I follow directions, Like put disk in tray,

then shut down and restart, The computer just sets and

will not read the disk in order to restore. Nothing

happens. Thought I could get the file from the restore

disk. Hope I have explained this correctly. Please help.

TyIA. Dian

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

dian
Original Author
14 years ago
Sorry made an error on first message . Did not Mean
system 33/ am going blind and insane with this problem.
Thx Again Dian
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
have you run malwarebytes scan recently? there is an infection that does prevent safe mode operating properly, I would do that first to make certain it is not an infection then we can look at other options.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
it is free, update it and run full scan
dian
Original Author
14 years ago
Raven :
If you only knew how much you are appreciated

It seems as how you help all who enter here. I will do as
you suggest. When I get home from work tomorrow evening.
And will definitely let you know how it goes. One way or
the other. Thank you for your gracious help. God Bless.
And Thank you so much. Dian
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
you are very welcome, do let us know what malwarebytes shows and if that is not the problem we can then look at some other options.
zep516
14 years ago
One of the many causes of a hal.dll error is a failed hard drive
dian
Original Author
14 years ago
Raven: I promised to get back to you on this matter.But had to get my computer able to get online. I did as you suggested, But found nothing but a few click cookies. No Spyware , and no Malware. So I went to a site that told me how to repair Hal,Dll. Followed to a tee, Well that turned out to be a fiasco. Was told I could get a backup, of this file from Windows service pack 2. Then copy the folder, and go to Windows sytem 32 folder and show all files. Then find Hal.Dll. folder and paste it into the folder. If ask to overwrite. To say yes. Well then I turned off computer to try the safe mode and see if it reported the file correctly.

Needless to say. Ouch, Windows would not then boot at all. So could not even go back and fix the windows file. So still tryed to do a complete restore with a format. Still could not get computer to read the disk.Finally, I thought maybe my problem is with my drawer . So called my nephew who has extra computer parts lying around.Sure enuff. He unplugged my drawer and used his. And it immediately started to read and I was able to do a complete recovery.I had two drawers one was a cd R/W and the other was A dvd R/W . Lost the cdr/w last year and then the dvd R/w this year. So Had to replace both. But am up and running well again. This computer Is a 3 year old Gateway. What a piece of trash. I do Thank you so much for giving it an effort tho.
Zep: you were half right lol. Just not the hard drive tho. Thank you also for trying to help me.

Thanks all Dian