Windows 7: hal.dll - What does it do and why is it broken?

S! guys,

Just a quickie really. Recently, it would appear that a file called hal.dll has stopped working on my PC. When I boot, the system says that this file is corrupt or damaged and boot cannot continue.

However, I assume that it doesn't do anything too important as the work around I have found is to press F8 on boot and from the menu select 'Start Windows Normally' - and the system boots and works just fine.



I just wondered if there is any way to repair this file 'easily' without having to run a repair or re-install?

Thanks in advance,

Nikita.

You're right the hal.dll is used only in XP and earlier, Vista and newer doesn't need it. Here is a solution. How To Fix Hal.dll Errors in Windows 7 and Vista
Also , MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record

Hal.dll errors were show stoppers in XP but they have no business in Windows 7. Anyways, just boot from the Windows 7 install disk or a system repair disk, navigate to the command prompt and type

bootsect /nt60 sys

Hit Enter. Exit and restart normally.