Vista - Error Message at install

New build, no existing OS. Have-

Intel DG43NB MB w/BIOS NBG4310H.006a.2008.1117.2016
Intel Pent. E5200 2.5 GHz Dual Core
Corsair 2 GB SDRAM DDR2 800 Dual Channel
WD 1001FALS 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA
WD 800BB IDE
Keyboard

BIOS loads, get a single beep. Insert Windows Vista 32 Business Pro, loads files, then black screen with error-

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

Please help.
Thanks

tlthompson wrote:
Failure to install an operating system is usually caused by (in order of
probability):

1. You are attempting to install with other devices connected to the
computer. Disconnect them before trying to do an installation.

2. Faulty installation media. Check the installation CD/DVD for scratches,
smudges. Test in another machine.

3. Faulty optical drive. Test with another bootable CD/DVD or swap it out
for a known-working one.

4. Faulty RAM. Test with Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. You will download
the .iso to make a bootable cd. Burn the file with third-party burning
software* - as an image, not as data. Then boot with the media you made
(you may need to change the boot priority in your BIOS so that the optical
drive is the first boot device). The test will run immediately. Let the
test run for an hour or two - unless errors are seen immediately. If you
get any errors, replace the RAM.

5. Faulty hard drive. Test with a diagnostic utility downloaded from the
drive mftr.'s website. You will create a bootable CD with the file you
download. Burn the file with third-party burning software* - as an image,
not as data. Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive.
If it fails any physical tests, replace it.

*It is not necessary to have third-party burning software in Windows 7 since
Win7 can natively burn an .iso. Other operating systems require it. A good
free choice is ImgBurn from www.imgburn.com.

6. Other hardware components are faulty.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

tlthompson wrote:
I'm glad that sorted it for you. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

1. Nothing is connected except the keyboard and one HD
2. DVD is good and reads/operates fine in other computers
4. Ran memtest 86, pass complete no errors
3. Will swap out DVD Drive
5. Am finding WD software

Turns out the DVD burner is bad. Switched out for another and everything loaded fine. Thanks for your quick help.