Member Avatar for rezsaun

I am working on a Compaq Presario SR1318NX. When I turn it on the fan starts out good but as soon as the COMPAQ logo appears the fan speeds up and then it turns off. I have tried running it in safe mode but it says system32\hal.dll is either missing or corrupted and it turns off. I'm wondering if this has to do with the processor fan or could the missing file be the problem. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Brief summary of the situation and a focused diagnostic path.

The SR1318NX description (fan spins, COMPAQ splash, fan ramps then instant power‑off; Safe Mode/recovery shows a hal.dll error but the system will not stay on long enough to repair) points to two separate issues: an OS-level boot problem (the hal.dll message) and — more importantly given the abrupt shutdown — a likely hardware fault. Sudden power loss at the vendor logo is commonly caused by PSU/voltage problems, motherboard component failure (bad electrolytic capacitors or VRM faults), or a thermal sensor/power circuit forcing an immediate shutdown; the hal.dll symptom may simply be what Windows reports once it briefly starts to load.

Practical troubleshooting sequence (do these in order; power must be removed before touching components):

  • Recover data first by removing the hard disk and connecting it to another machine or a USB‑to‑SATA adapter; preserve user files before invasive tests.
  • Minimal‑boot test: disconnect all drives and add‑on cards, leave only power, CPU/heatsink, one RAM module and video. Power on and note whether POST completes or the unit still dies at the logo.
  • Memory check: test each RAM stick alone in each slot to rule out a bad DIMM or slot.
  • Visual inspection: look for bulging, leaking or blown capacitors and scorch marks on the motherboard around the CPU/VRM area.
  • Power check: if available, test or substitute a known‑good PSU or measure 5V/12V rails with a multimeter.
  • Thermal/heatsink: verify heatsink is seated and fan connector is plugged in; reapply thermal paste only if comfortable and after static/power precautions.
  • Once the machine remains powered long enough, run bootable media (Live USB/CD) or the Windows recovery environment to repair OS files.

Typical outcomes: faulty capacitors or an aging PSU are common for machines of this vintage and will cause the behavior described. If minimal‑boot keeps the system alive, OS repair (or rebuilding hal.dll) becomes the next step. If not comfortable with component testing or solder/part replacement, professional service is the safest option.

This expands on ’s overheating/cleaning point and ties back to ’s hal.dll observation by prioritizing data rescue and separating hardware checks from any later OS repair.

Member Avatar for SHENGTON

Hello rezsaun, good morning. :)

I think the "Hal.dll" has to do with your unit. The hal.dll file is a hidden file that is used by Windows XP to communicate with your computer's hardware. Hal.dll can become damaged, corrupted or deleted for a number of reasons and is usually brought to your attention by the "missing or corrupt hal.dll" error message.

To solve your problem here's How:
1. Enter Windows XP Recovery Console.
2. When you reach the command line prompt (detailed in Step 6 in the link above), type the following and then press Enter:

expand d:\i386\_ c:\windows\system32

Using the expand command as shown above, d represents the drive letter assigned to the optical drive that your Windows XP CD is currently in. While this is most often d, your system could assign a different letter. Also, c:\windows represents the drive and folder that Windows XP is currently installed on. Again, this is most often the case but your system could be different.

3. If you're prompted to overwrite the file, press Y.

4. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

Assuming that a missing or corrupt hal.dll file was your only issue, Windows XP should now start normally.

Take care and God bless. :)

Member Avatar for rezsaun

First of all, thanks for replying. I have tried to do that but the computer keeps turning off once it gets on the recovery screen. Is that another issue?

Member Avatar for SHENGTON

Hello rezsaun, good morning. :)

Looks like an overheating issue. Getting the error of "Hal.dll" will only restart your system. But if the system shutdown after few minutes that's a different story. I think your unit is having an overheating issue. Have you tried cleaning your unit once in a month?

Take care and God bless. :)

Member Avatar for rezsaun

It's a computer my grandmother was using but couldn't fix. She told me if I can fix it I can have it so here I am. The fan is running, but what could I use to clean it? Thanks again.

Member Avatar for SHENGTON

Hello rezsaun, good morning. :)

I used paint brush and a square cut of clothes to clean my unit here. Make sure the dust are totally gone. When cleaning the whole unit it means you have to disassemble all the hardware (remove the heat sink, fans, processor and so on) and remove it from its casing. That's what I totally do when cleaning and I make sure there is no dust left. But if you are afraid of doing it then I suggest to let the technicians do it.

Take care and God bless. :)

Edited by SHENGTON because: n/a
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