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Thread ID: 73428	2006-10-18 22:26:00	"\system32\hal.dll" is corrupt	johcar (6283)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
492479	2006-10-18 22:26:00	I hope 'hal.dll' has noting to do with HAL9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey!! :) My aging PC at home has decided to display an error when starting up. It displays the detail in the title of this post and states that I must re-install this dll, because it appears to be corrupt. From what I understand, my son turned the PC off (normally, it's left running) and this error now appears when powering on. If I try to boot in Safe Mode, I get the pretty (ugly!! :yuck: ) BSoD. Does this error suggest I will need to stick the XP disk back in the machine to fix it? And will this damage any data on the HDDs? Instructions/advice welcomed. The PC is a P4 1.7, 1GB RAM, 100gb storage (on an 80 and a 20), about 65-70% utilised, video card upgraded about 12 months ago to an nVidia 128MB model. System is a bit creaky (when running), but does OK for the kids and their homework and a few games... (Running XP Pro and Office 2003) Probably time to start thinking about replacement though...	johcar (6283)
492480	2006-10-18 23:15:00	Often errors like these are caused by a HDD starting to die... or just Windows corrupting the file, what you need to do to start with is insert the XP disc and let the file install, this should let you get into Windows and use the PC. All data will remain on there unless you format and fresh install. Once you are in windows or even now... got to the HDD manufacturers site and DL a disc testing utility (for Seagate use Seatools) and run a full test, if a lot of errors come up the HDD is most likely dieing so BACKUP ASAP	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
492481	2006-10-19 00:15:00	Thanks - will tackle tonight.	johcar (6283)
492482	2006-10-19 01:04:00	Try downloading a new file.... www.dll-files.com	Pancake (6359)
492483	2006-10-19 01:12:00	Be careful doing your repair of XP. If you use the standard administrator as your normal login account, you may lose user doc's data, as it will have to reset the administrator account.!	SolMiester (139)
492484	2006-10-19 07:22:00	OK - I stuck the CD in and selected the Repair option on boot up, which it appeared to carry out just fine. Removed the CD when prompted to restart and let the machine boot up again. Everything looked and sounded normal until it got to the Desktop. The taskbar flashes up then disappears (as if Explorer was crashing) - I am left with just my chosen Desktop wallpaper, no Program Icons, no Taskbar. I can Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up Task Manager - there are only about 2 dozen processes running (Explorer isn't one of them, worryingly)... :( When I click on the Applications tab and press the New Task button, type in 'explorer' and press OK, the Task Bar again briefly reappears and then disappears. :( :( I can't right-click on the desktop to view Properties, either (probably because Explorer isn't running). Anyone with any ideas? Or do I take it to the shop???	johcar (6283)
492485	2006-10-19 10:34:00	H, TRy this Get a command prompt, by going START -> Run... type in CMD and press return then type: sfc /scannow make sure you have a copy of your installation CD handy. This will check all of your system files for damage and repalce any corrupt ones cheers	thefunkysoulone (11323)
492486	2006-10-19 20:47:00	H, TRy this Get a command prompt, by going START -> Run... type in CMD and press return Thanks - unfortunately, because Explorer crashes on entry to the Desktop, there is no way to get a command prompt up...:(	johcar (6283)
492487	2006-10-20 01:32:00	Can you do it in safe mode ?	Pancake (6359)
492488	2006-10-20 02:31:00	Thanks everyone for your help . This has got past the point of being an 'interesting intellectual challenge' :nerd: and moved to the category of 'just plain annoying' . :badpc: I have succumbed to the easy path and taken it to my local PC Repair shop . PS - no, Safe Mode was not an option either, thanks for the suggestion Pancake	johcar (6283)
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