DLL missing after formatting

[VoiLa_vOIlA]

Hello ,
I have a VAIO VGN-FS215E and I deleted the recovery part and the 😧 part to install linux, but before installing, I wanted to format so I reinstalled Windows XP from the recovery-kit DVD. It worked until Windows had to restart... Just after the VIAO screen a prompt said that the hal.dll is missing or corrupted and that I have to copy it in \windows\system32.
My question is how could I put it in this directory without OS?

Is there a way by a bootable CD?

Will the problem be solved if I choose the complete recovery option, to restore the computer in the original state? (that I don't really want to try because I installed linux after that on the other partition)

I don't think that it's the DVD which is scratched because I burn it twice and no one works better.

[Blencogo]

Hi VoiLa_vOIlA and welcome to Club Vaio.

This is a common problem when you delete the Recovery Partition. HAL.DLL is not missing it cannot be found where your Vaio is looking for it! Your Boot.ini file is looking on Partition 2 for your Windows installation because Partition 1 was the Recovery Partition. After deleting the Recovery Partition, your Windows Installation will be on Partition 1 so you need to change your BOOT.INI file so it can find Windows.

You need to make a boot disc - there are several ways to do this if you use Google. However, I would try to borrow a XP Pro installation disc and boot from this into the Recovery Console by pressing R at the Welcome to Setup Screen.

You will then need to edit Boot.ini

FROM
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2) \WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2) \WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

TO
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1) \WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1) \WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

If you are using XP Home, you will have "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" not "Microsoft Windows XP Professional"

If you are going to Dual-Boot Linux, you will have an additional line in BOOT.INI - something like:
c:\bootsect.lnx="Linux"

Leave that alone if you are booting from C:\

[VoiLa_vOIlA]

Thanks a lot, in deed I borrowed a XP installation disc and installed it before seeing your post.
But I hadn't the drivers installed and my laziness forced me to try again my original recovery DVD and surprisingly it works!!

I'll do the modification of boot.ini anyway for the next time I'll have to recover my system.

Thanks again...