Hi Jim, I just started helping someone with exactly this same problem (but a Toshiba Notebook). Here are a couple of resources that address this issue. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314477 http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm Unfortunately, in my situation, I've so far found that booting from the WinXP CD and trying to use the Recovery console is not working, since the windows installation isn't seen, at this point. I've put the Toshiba's hard drive into an external USB drive enclosure and I plan on trying to manually replace/repair the files that are mentioned in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article by using my working desktop's version of Windows XP. (When it is installed in this enclosure, I seem to be able to read the notebook's drive fine. All the files seem to be present.) I don't know how this will work out; so, I'll post back with an update after I know more. John Sproule Original Message: Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 20:09:31 -0400 From: "James W. Cooley" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Missing hal.dll When I turn on my HP Laptop, with Windows XP it says the file hal.dll is missing and stops. In Win 98 I would have run the emergency startup disk, and in DOS, I would have copied hal.dll, via a floppy, from another machine. I am new to XP. How do I do this in XP? The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering our special coffee mugs and mouse pads with the PCBUILD logo... at a great price!!! http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml