I could really use some help please...

[kkane2002]

About 3 weeks ago, I got on my computer, and saw it had restarted overnight. When I tried to click on something, I couldn't. I tried all kinds of stuff at that point - I can sometimes right-click, can usually TAB to places and then hit enter or the space bar (sometimes one, sometimes the other) to open up files and programs. During that next day - I restarted in safe mode, ran a virus scan, etc. Ran my spybot and Adaware - found nothing at all. When I tried to reboot - I got the message: Missing or corrupt <windows root>\system32\hal.dll OK - I shut it down, restarted it normally. I got on kids' computer to search for info on that error. I found some info, one thing I saw said you HAD to restore the PC. I did that, only realized the directions I was being given didn't work for me - because I am using an Emachines restore DVD - not an XP restore disk. I have checked a different mouse, because it seems as though it's a mouse issue although it says the device is working properly and I have the most recent driver. Does anyone have any clues here as to what I can do? It's not a year old yet and it's driving me crazy! TIA, kkane2002

[richh0323]

Option 1: Boot from your CD and follow the directions to start Recovery Console. Then: Attrib -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini DEL C:\Boot.ini BootCfg /Rebuild Fixboot Option 2: Boot from your CD and follow the directions below to start Recovery Console. Insert the Setup compact disc (CD) and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD. When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts; choose the repair or recover option by pressing R. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console. When prompted, type the Administrator password. (if you didn't create one try pressing enter). At the system prompt, type Recovery Console commands; type help for a list of commands, or help commandname for help on a specific command. Most likely you will need to expand the file from the CD. The command would be expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll. Substitute d: for the drive letter of your CD. Once you have expanded the file type "exit" to exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.