My Dell Computer running Win XP froze while doing a "Microsoft Update"  Computer will no longer boot giving message that /system32/HAL.DLL is corrupt or bad.  Can't go any further.  Made a DOS startup disk on a floppy, but that still doesn't allow me to access the C: drive so I can replace the file.  Computer will not boot with Win XP installation disk.  What do I put on the DOS disk that makes it RECOGNIZE the C drive?  Any HELP greatly appreciated.  --sgbPress F8 before Windows loads and choose 'last known good configuration'

see if that works.

What kind of update were you downloading?Just the critical updates that Microsoft notified me needed to be updated.  Didn't REALLY pay attention to which one it was.  Will try what you suggested.
  [UPDATE - Computer will not respond to request for previouus configuation.  BUT I think that doesn't help because evidently HAL.DLL is corrupt and I need to replace the file.  I have it - just can't access C: drive from my startup floppy on a:]
  But I still WOULD like to figure out what I need to add to an MS DOS startup disk in the a: drive that would make it recognize the c: drive.  Using all the DOS commands just goes back too far and my memory is failing me, but I tried to make a path command in an autoexec.bat file on the floppy in the a: drive, but that doesn't work.  Does there need to be something in  a config.sys file as well?  --sgbYou can download a bootdisk from Bootdisk.com(CLICK)(.

However, I think a bootdisk will do you no good at the moment: Have you tried looking through the microsoft database Here(Click)?

You might want to try a repair installation as well using your original Windows XP CD.Thanks!  Checking into the boot disks.com area.  --sgb