Question:  I have a error message when booting is that windows cannot start because the <windows root\system32\hal.dll. file is corrupt or missing. It says reinstall this file but I don’t know how to.

I can get to the set up using F12 or the boot directory using F2

Answer:  Hal.dll or the Hardware Abstraction Layer is part of the operating system, that is keeping an eye on the hardware. It makes the hardware in your system communicate with the operating system and vice versa. Hal.dll is crucial for your system to work properly. The easiest way to repair it would probably be to run your XP/Vista OS installation discs in repair installation mode. You do that by inserting the Windows install disc in your disc drive, reboot, select your system to boot from the CD or DVD when prompted. The installation program will load and all you need to do is to select automated repair or system restore in the menu presented to you. Have in mind that windows will replace the windows files already installed on your system and you will have to re-apply any Windows updates.