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How do I reinstall system32hal once it has been wiped out by a virus and all I can enter is F2 and F10?

What is the system 32.hal file error?

The system 32.hal file error can occur due to an infection by a computer virus as well as during an upgrade of the operating system. When it occurs, the functioning of the computer ceases since this file is necessary in order for Windows to function properly. Hal stands for “hardware abstraction layer,” a pretty impressive phrase.

Reinstalling system32.hal: Installation Disk

If you have the installation disk that came with your computer, you can use it to reinstall the system32.hal file. You simply need to insert the disk into the computer, turn it on and select the proper option to boot your computer from the CD. Then you can follow the prompts (select “r”) in order to select repair the operating system. If you are prompted for the administrator password, type it in. If you don’t have one, then pressing the “enter” key generally works.

Reinstalling system32.hal: Secondary Computer with Windows XP Pro

This next strategy is a bit tricky, so you should back up the system and all files first. If you don’t have access to a recovery CD, you can try to purchase one from the manufacturer of the computer. Alternatively, you can uninstall the hard drive from the problematic computer (provided it is virus free) and install it on another computer that is using the same operating system. You will have to set it up as the “slave” drive.

Once the hard drive is installed, you need to boot up, enable “Explorer\tools\folder options.” Next, display the contents of the system folders and allow hidden files and folders to show. You’ll need to uncheck the “Hide protected OS files.” Locate the hal.dll by searching for all or part of the file name. Copy the file to the slave hard drive. Undo any changes that you made to the computer’s OS. Remove the hard drive and replace it in the original computer. Hopefully it will allow the computer to boot up, but remember to set it as Master.

Replace the Boot.ini File

In some cases, a missing boot.ini file is the real culprit behind the missing system32hal error message. If nothing else has worked, you can try replacing the boot.ini file. For instructions on this file, refer to this document from Microsoft: Support Microsoft 289022.

Replace Windows OS with a Clean Installation

Although replacing your operating system with a clean installation will cause you to lose your documents, files, etc, performing a clean installation often resolves hal.dll errors. If you go this route and the problem still exists, you might want to consider replacing the hard drive.

I keep getting an error message on startup saying “cannot load appdatalocaltempgeBqPHaW.dll” and don’t know how to get it off. Help?

I haven’t been able to find any information on the particular missing DLL that you have listed, appdatalocaltempgeBqPHaW.dll. At any rate, I am going to provide you with several suggestions that should help you with this situation. Try each one until you get the missing DLL problem resolved.

Troubleshooting Missing DLL on Startup: Safe Mode

Booting your computer up into “Safe Mode” uses the fewest resources and applications so it is often easier to get a computer started when a problem exists. In fact, it might resolve the DLL error with little effort. To do startup the computer in “Safe Mode”, follow these steps:

• Turn the computer on.
• Immediately begin to press the “F8″ key on the keyboard.
• Use the arrow keys to navigate to this option: “Last known good configuration.”
• Select the “Enter” key.

In addition, running a System Restore and choosing a restore point prior to the DLL error may do the trick for you. Here’s a Filetonic article on using System Restore.

Troubleshooting Missing DLL on Startup: Clean the Registry

If you get the computer to boot up, you should use a registry cleaner to get your system back in order. Registry cleaners replace missing and broken files so this sounds as though it will be of use to you. I can recommend the following product for you: RegCure. Hopefully, it will fix the missing DLL problem so that it does not occur again.

Troubleshooting Missing DLL on Startup: Software

If you received the DLL message after installing new software, consider removing the software from the computer as it might have triggered the message. Obviously, you will need to get the computer started before you can do this so make sure you follow the direction for booting up in “Safe Mode.”

Troubleshooting Missing DLL on Startup: Scan for Spyware and Viruses

You should run an anti-spyware/anti-virus application on the computer in case it has been infected with malware. Spyware and/or viruses can account for this type of error. I can recommend that you use the following application: Anti-VirusPLUS.

Troubleshooting Missing DLL on Startup: Repair Installation

If you have the installation disk for the computer, you can use it to create a repair installation. While this might change some of your settings or require that you reinstall any existing updates, it will not cause you to lose any of your existing documents or files. Just insert the disk and follow the prompts.

A popup keeps appearing on my screen that says c:/windows/ogegecuzoz/dll. When I try to click it off I have to click several times and when I take the computer offline there are still several pop ups. Underneath it says “specified module couldn’t be found”. I would like some assistance or an answer to this problem, can you help me?

Windows Error Message or Adware Popup?

Hmm, this is interesting. I think that your pop up might actually be a Windows error message. When people complain about pop ups, they are generally referring to unsolicited advertisements and link to websites that are often the result of adware or spyware that has infected the system. In your case, the pop up message seems to be informing you of a problem with your operating system. If this isn’t the case, and the pop up is related to an infection, then the malware might be programmed to launch whenever the computer is turned on.

Run Full Virus and Malware Scans

Before we go any further and to prevent any further damage, you should run a full virus scan to rule out this possibility. It is important that you keep up to date antivirus software running to prevent against infection. If you have a program like Norton or McAfee installed already, open the program and then click the option to update your virus definitions. Once you have the latest definitions, run a full system scan, be patient if this takes a while, it’s important. If the scan shows any problems, follow the antivirus’ advice to deal with them. Run the scan again until the scan is clean. You should also install and run a good malware program too that specializes in adware in case this is the issue.

Remove the .DLL Entry from the Startup List

To remove the .dll code that is starting up every time the computer is turned on, you can use the Microsoft System Configuration Tool to alter the programmed start up sequence.

• Press the Start button, the click Run
• In the Search bar, type in msconfig and press Enter
• Look under the Start Up tab and see if there is a listing for oqeqecuzoz.dll
• If there is, click the box beside it to remove the check and take it off the auto start list

Use Microsoft’s System File Checker

It’s possible that the DLL error is due to a corrupt Windows file. If so, use the Windows System File Checker utility to scan your system for damaged files. When the utility finds missing or damaged files, it replaces them with clean copies from your original Windows installation CD. Go to Start>Run and type in CMD. In the Command Prompt box type in: sfc /scannow. Make sure to have your Windows disc handy.

I really hope that this is cleared up for you. If this advice doesn’t get you anywhere, write again and let us know if there are any new signs or symptoms and we can take it from there. Good luck!

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DLL Errors

What does DLL mean? I have a laptop but a DLL won’t allow me to see the desktop. What could possibly be wrong?

DLL - Dynamic Link Library

DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library. Files within the Dynamic Link Library are more like small modules in a larger collection of computer programs. Software and hardware developers rely on DLL files for many of the more common computer functions. Rather than creating their own computer code from scratch, they use these pre-existing modules for common functions. For example, your computer already contains hundreds of DLL files. A software program calls up the necessary files rather than contains duplicate information. This makes for less redundancy between programs, thus saving your computer valuable hard drive space.

DLL Errors

However, because DLL files are shared, they are often mistakenly uninstalled or overwritten. In addition, like all files, DLL files can become corrupt and unusable. When any of these events happen, the computer stops cooperating when the file is not found.

Troubleshooting DLL Errors

Normally, when DLL errors occur, retracing your latest computer changing steps can lead to the solution. For example, if you recently uninstalled a program and you suddenly get DLL errors, reinstalling the program usually reinstalls the lost DLL. Because DLL files system files, running a System Restore is a viable solution.

In your case, since your desktop is affected, it’s a bit harder to troubleshoot. A missing desktop is usually related to a problem with the explorer.exe file. You may be able to launch that manually by pressing Control + Alt + Delete and launching the Task Manager. From there, go to File > Run (New Task). Type in: explorer.exe and then click OK. If the desktop loads, you can then run a System Restore via the Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore path.

However, if that doesn’t do the trick, you’ll need to run System Restore from the Command Prompt. First, boot up into Safe Mode with Command Prompt by pressing the F8 key as the computer starts and choosing that option with your arrow keys. Type in: %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

This will launch System Restore. Choose a restore point from before the DLL error occurred and follow the prompts to roll you system back in time. This option will only work if you have System Restore enabled on your system. It does not affect your data though you may need to reinstall recently added programs and other changes that occurred after the restore point’s date.  

I keep getting two DLL errors when starting up my computer. It says that it cannot run certain DLLs. Can you give me a solution to fix this problem?

What are DLL Files?

First, let me explain a little about DLL files and what they are used for. DLL files are “Dynamic Link Library” files. This doesn’t mean a whole lot to you and me, but it is meaningful for software developers. A great deal of software programming is redundant. For example, all word processors need a print command. Instead of writing the required code from scratch, developers reference existing modules of pre-existing code. These modules are either pre-installed on the end users’ computers via their operating system or they are packaged as part of the new software’s installation files.

Regcure offers a scanner which will safely detect all DLL related errors in the Windows Registry. Heres the free regcure download, its highly recommended among our experts here.

By using DLLs instead of coming up with their own unique code, developers can developer smaller programs and focus on the more distinguishing features of their programs. Why reinvent the wheel, right?

Missing or Corrupt DLLs

DLL files can be deleted, removed, overwritten with new versions, or simply become corrupt or disappear for no apparent reason. When Windows or a software application needs a DLL but can’t find it, an error message occurs and the related function that the DLL normally carries out fails. For example, if the DLL related to printing is missing, when you try to print a document, you’ll see a DLL error and the document will not print.

DLLs can experience problems for any number of reasons including uninstalling software and authorizing the removal of “shared system files,” installing new software that overwrites a system DLL with an older or newer version, power surges, hard drive crashes, viruses, and more.

How to Solve Common DLL Problems

Use your detective skills and consider the latest changes to your computer. Did you uninstall a program recently? Did you install new hardware or software? Did the power go out and cause your computer to shutdown unexpectedly?

If you recently installed or uninstalled hardware or software and the DLL problem immediately followed, then try to undo the new change. For example, reinstalling software will reinstall the “shared system files” - your DLL files - and your problem will be solved. Once reinstalled, you can safely uninstall it once again. Only this time, when prompted to remove any unnecessary shared files, do NOT authorize their removal.

System Restore is also useful when DLL problems crop up. In your case, it sounds as if the Windows Operating system is missing two required DLLs rather than a software application. Try System Restore first. If System Restore isn’t an option or doesn’t work, get out your Windows installation CDs (don’t worry, we’re not doing anything drastic) and get ready to use the System File Checker utility.

Go to Start > Run and type in: sfc /scannow. Notice the spacing. This will launch the System File Checker (SFC) tool. SFC scans your computer for missing or damaged system files, including DLL files, and replaces them with fresh copies from the Windows CD.

While your computer may be displaying DLL errors on startup, your computer may not be malfunctioning - until you need to use the function that relies on those missing or corrupt DLLs. Give these tips a try and let us know how it went.  

Here’s the Registry tool we recommend to troubleshoot and fix all DLL related errors in the Registry

My Windows XP computer shows a blank screen and an error message saying, “Please reinstall shdocvw.dll.” I don’t know what it is or where to get it.

Shdocvw.dii or Shdocvw.dll?

Before we move forward, I noticed the file extension .dii in your question. Let’s capitalize that, shall we? DII looks remarkably similar to DLL, doesn’t it? I believe the error is really a DLL error, though I’m always a bit unnerved when I see .dii errors. Why? Because malware makers commonly give their programs legitimate looking names in order to trick users. Hopefully, it’s really a DLL file, because those are usually easy enough to deal with.

What is Shdocvw.DLL?

The Shdocvw.dll file is a Shell Document Object and Control Library file that is required by Windows. It is involved in displaying your folders and, as you’ve discovered, Windows won’t work without it.

Is the black screen a window? Can you see any icons? Can you access the Start button? If so, you can use System Restore or the System File Checker utility using traditional means. If not, it’s a bit trickier.

Try System Restore from a Command Prompt

Is the black screen an actual command prompt screen? That is can you enter commands after the C:\ prompt? If so, you can try running a few commands such as System Restore and System File Checker. If not, try rebooting while pressing the F8 key in order to get into the Safe Mode choices screen. Pick Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Enter:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Note that you’ll replace %systemroot% with the appropriate location of Windows such as:

C:\Windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Try System File Checker

If you do not have a restore point, the System File Checker is the next tool to try. You will need your Windows installation discs because the System File Checker will scan your system for damaged or missing files, such as the shdocvw.dll file, and replace them with original copies from the disc. Once again, get into Safe Mode with a Command Prompt. Type in:

sfc \scannow (note the extra space before the ‘\’and press enter once typed)

Try Windows XP Repair

What if you can’t get to a command prompt? Not to worry, Windows XP’s installation discs also come with a repair Windows XP option. Insert the Windows XP disc in the drive and reboot your computer (you may need to change the boot order in BIOS). You’ll see a Windows Setup screen with several choices, one of which is “To setup Windows now, press Enter.” Press Enter. Don’t worry, we won’t be reinstalling Windows. DO NOT SELECT THE RECOVERY CONSOLE REPAIR OPTION DESPITE ITS FRIENDLY SOUNDING NAME.

Accept the license agreement and then choose the Windows XP installation on your computer and press the R key. Hang tight and let Windows do its thing. It will look like it’s reinstalling, but don’t worry - it’s only repairing. Once complete, you’ll be asked to activate Windows. You may want to postpone activation until you’ve enabled your firewall to protect against worms.

After performing the repair, go to Windows Update and update your operating system as your service packs and other security patches will likely have been removed by the repair.