Trying to Fix Windows Boot on Mac-Mini

[JDRick]

1st off, I have next to no experience using Macs and BootCamp. Knowing this I am trying to help a friend who has a Mac-mini he uses in his dental office which will no longer boot. I understand it has Windows installed on it using Bootcamp, and it is basically operated in Windows XP only...

So basically, the problem is that when you start the computer, it stops during boot with the following message:
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll

Any suggestions on a) what caused this, and b) how to go about fixing, since I cannot get the computer to boot?

I'm also afraid that this office no longer has (or can find) their software disks.

Thanks for your help!!!! - Rick

[Hugh]

Originally Posted by JDRick

1st off, I have next to no experience using Macs and BootCamp. Knowing this I am trying to help a friend who has a Mac-mini he uses in his dental office which will no longer boot. I understand it has Windows installed on it using Bootcamp, and it is basically operated in Windows XP only...

So basically, the problem is that when you start the computer, it stops during boot with the following message:
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll

Any suggestions on a) what caused this, and b) how to go about fixing, since I cannot get the computer to boot?

I'm also afraid that this office no longer has (or can find) their software disks.

Thanks for your help!!!! - Rick

I am not a real Windows person my self but. If you are getting this error I think you are going to need to reinstall Windows on the machine, then do some anti virus software.

To reinstall Windows you are going to need their disks. Put the Windows install disk in the drive, turn off the computer. Turn the computer back on, hold down the option (alt) key down until you see some icons show what the computer can use to boot with. Pick the CD, then follow the instructions, this is where I can't remember or not. If it will allow you just do a Windows Fix or if you can just reinstall the software (DO NOT FORMAT ANY THING, SKIP THIS PART).

I hope that helps.

Hugh