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[urbanychic]

** i dont know if this has already been made, if so, you can delete it. I don't know where to start in searching for this, so sorry.**

The other day I ran my spyware programs for it to do its business. My specific program told me that it couldn't delete a certain spyware until I restarted my computer because apparently whatever it was was in my start up. I typically don't restart my computer until that night or whenever; and I didnt. So, I went to bed .. lad de da. Came back that morning, and when I swiveled the mouse ... the computer was on, but my screen wasn't. It was completely blank even though the button was green. I turned the computer off and turned it back on. My spyware program did what it said it was going to do. My computer than ran as normal but in the process, froze. I restarted my computer as normal, and this is what I got and now continue to get :

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please reinstall a copy of the above file.


Does anyone know what that is? How did I get it? Is this a virus/trojan? My dad said I may have to reinstall it, if I do, do I lose EVERYTHING? I've tried going into safe mode and into last operating system, and every time I do, that same message appears. This computer is still new, it's only 6 months 'old'. It's still under warrenty, would my warrenty be able to cover it? Thanks for any help you guys can offer, I really appreciate it! Again, if this topic has been made and you need to close this, I understand. I'm just at a lost now and I know there are some truly intelligent people on here when it comes to computers. THANKS !!