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How to Fix Hal.dll is Missing Error

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Sep 23, 2024 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

What's Hal.dll?

Hal.dll means Hardware Abstraction Layer Dynamic-link Library. It is an operating system file (usually under C: WINDOWSsystem32 folder) that links the hardware and software components of a computer. With Hal.dll file, the operating system could operate with a hardware device.

Why Is Hal.dll Missing?

Hal.dll missing error message will present due to following reasons:

  1. Naturally damaged
  2. Deleted or moved accidentally from its original destination.
  3. A damaged or corrupted boot.ini file.
  4. The hard drive is physically damaged.
  5. Hal.dll does not exist in Windows Vista, Windows 7 or later Windows systems, but if your

Master Boot Record (MBR) has changed to the type that compatible with Windows XP or previous, the MBR will still search hard drive for hal.dll, and if it's not there, a Hal.dll is missing error message will occur.

How to Fix Hal.dll Missing Error?

Firstly, make sure your boot.ini file is available and there are no mistakes in it. If you still could not boot up your computer with a prompt saying "Hal.dll is missing", you could try to repair your hard drive MBR and fix Hal.dll missing error with bootable media.You can boot up the computer, no matter what caused its crash.


Solution 1. Make a Windows 7 password reset disk

Firstly make sure your boot.ini file is available and there are no mistakes in it. If you still could not boot up your computer with a prompt saying "Hal.dll is missing", you could try to repair your hard drive MBR and fix Hal.dll missing error with bootable media.You can boot up the computer, no matter what caused its crash.

Step 1. Make a Windows 7 password reset disk

To create a password reset disk, the first thing you need to do is to choose a program that can be burned into a bootable disk. Microsoft Media Creation Tool is such a kind of program, which permits you to enter the computer and reset the lost administrator password in Windows 7. You can use it in Windows 7, XP or Vista, and burn it into a CD/DVD or an external USB drive.

  1. Microsoft’s official tool for creating installation media and ISO images with Windows 10 is Media Creation Tool. You can download the latest version here – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
  2. Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
  3. If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
  4. On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.
  5. Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10. 
  6. Select which media you want to use:
    • USB flash drive. Attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.
    • ISO file. Save an ISO file to your PC, which you can use to create a DVD. After the file is downloaded, you can go to location where the file is saved, or select Open DVD burner, and follow the instructions to burn the file to a DVD. For more info about using an ISO file, see Additional methods for using the ISO file to install Windows 10 section below.
  7. After the installation media is created, follow the steps below to use it.
  8. After completing the steps to install Windows 10, please check that you have all the necessary device drivers installed. To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and select Check for updates. You may also wish to visit your device manufacturer’s support site for any additional drivers that may be needed.

Step 2. To repair BootMGR Missing problems

1. Insert your Windows Vista or Windows 7 disk into the DVD player and restart the computer.
2. You'll see the boxes of Language, Time and Currency and Keyboard in the next screen.
3. There are two options on the lower left side. One is "Repair your computer", and the other one is "What to know before installing Windows".
4. Click on the first one: "Repair your computer".
5. Windows will then try to find the installation directory for Vista or Windows 7, depending on what you have.
6. Next up is a screen with a box called Recovery Options. Click the first option, Startup Repair.
You'll see a Startup Repair box with the message "Startup Repair is checking your system for problems…".
7. When it's done, it will prompt you to reboot. If there is more than one problem it may reboot again to continue repairing.
8. At this time, you can plug out the DVD, restart your computer and everything should be working normally.


Solution 2. Restart Your PC

A reboot of your computer might help to get rid of the hal.dll error. As you know, this error shows up before the Windows has fully started; you won’t be able to restart your PC fully. Here is how to do using the power button:

Step 1. Find the power button on your computer to restart.
Step 2. Don’t force the PC to restart. Instead, press or hold down the power button.
Step 3. Wait for it to completely restart.


Solution 3. Find Out the BIOS Boot Order

Check if the boot system in BIOS list a drive other than the one that has Windows copy installed because this might be the reason behind the error.

Step 1. Enter the BIOS setup by pressing any key.
Step 2. Go to the boot order menu.
Step 3. Choose Exit.


Solution 4. Replace Hal.dll File with Original Using Installation Disc

If your hal.dll file is corrupt or missing, try to restore the original file from the Windows XP installation disc.

Step 1. Add windows XP CD to your PC and restart your system.
Step 2. Hit any key to boot.Now, hit R to open the recovery console.
Step 3. Enter your Admin password and hit enter.
Step 4. You will see the command prompt window. Type :\expand D:\i386\hal.dl_ E:\Windows\system32\ (D is the drive letter of CD, and E: is the drive you’re installing Windows).
Step 5. Now, hit Y to overwrite the file and then press enter key. And Restart your PC.


Solution 5. Use SFC Scan to Repair Corrupted Files of System

Another solution is to use SFC (System File Checker) command to repair corrupted files on the system. This command will scan the system files automatically and repair them as required. Here is how to fully restore the missing files with SFC.exe scanning:

Step 1. Use the Boot option from the Windows installation disc.
Step 2. Choose a time, language, and keyboard input and press repair your computer.
Step 3. Pick the drive for the Windows installation and hit Next.
Step 4. On the command prompt, type sfc /scannow /offbootdir=E:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows\.

(replace E with the drive letter where you have your Windows installed. D:\Windows is the folder location of Windows).


Solution 6. Use CHDDSK to Scan and Fix the File System Errors

You can also use the CHKDSK command to scan and fix the file errors on the system. Here’s how to run it:

Step 1. Boot using Windows installation disc
Step 2. Pick a time, keyboard input, and time. Now Press Repair your PC.
Step 3. Choose drive for installing Windows and hit next.
Step 4. On the command prompt dialog box, type chkdsk D: /f and hit next. (Replace letter D with the drive letter where Windows is installed).


How to Recover Lost Caused by Hal.all is Missing Error

The Hal.all is a missing error often comes along with data loss on your hard drive, and it`s also possible that some important files on pc are accidentally deleted or formatted during the process of fixing those issues. If the data loss occurs, you`ll probably need a powerful data recovery tool to get all your lost files back.

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Wrapping Up:

The problem with the Hal-DLL file might not be the main reason for the hal.dll error in Windows 10, Windows 7, and Windows 8. It might be due to the primary boot code or corrupted drive. Use the professional Recoverit Data Recovery tool to recover any of your lost or erased files.


People Also Ask

What Does Hal.DLL Do?

Hal.dll file offers a hardware platform to permit Windows to run different applications. It does this by serving as an interface between the hardware and software of the system. Without it, Windows would not be able to interface with the chipsets associated with the particular motherboards.

How Can Hal.Dll Error Show in Win 7,8, Vista, and 10?

It may appear in the following ways:

Recoverit author

David Darlington

staff Editor

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