What is 'hal dll' in system 32?

Question

An answer suggested that you should delete this and restart the computer to get rid of any viruses. I'm reluctant to try this in case it was a wind-up and that it is an essential part of the computer.

I'm not a computer expert by a long chalk, could someone please explain to me what this is and whether I should delete it or not?

Thank you.

Answer 1

its part of the low level architecture so if your a novice i wouldnt touch it.

it is needed by your computer, i have no idea why the person suggested deleting it. please dont.

to get rid of viruses download some antivirus program, a free one such as avg -> free.avg.com

the device manager can be found by going to

Right click on my computer

select properties

select hardware

tada!!!

Answer 2

BEWARE - there are at least 3 people answering questions today advising the deletion of hal.dll.

They obviously think it a huge joke to try to trash other people's computers.

Their answers need reporting.  Another answerer has said what they are doing is illegal and carries 30 year jail term.

Answer 3

Hal.dll is indeed an essential file.  You might find this interesting : http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheprob...

Answer 4

hal - hardware abstraction Layer

and a .dll file is a dynamic linked library.  

It is an essential system file.  Do not delete or tamper with it.

Answer 5

In Windows XP installed with the NTFS file system

This is the Hardware Abstraction Layer so that

HAL - Hardware Abstraction Layer

HAL is Microsoft's abbreviation for the Hardware Abstraction Layer, the technology and drivers that let the Windows NT, 2000, and XP operating systems communicate with your PC's hardware. HAL is one of several features--along with the NT file system (NTFS) that replaced the much less secure MS-DOS--that make NT-based operating systems more secure and reliable than Windows 95, 98, and Me.

HAL prevents applications from directly accessing your PC's system memory, CPU, or hardware devices (such as video and sound cards)--a method that can prevent many device conflicts and crashes. Unfortunately, HAL sometimes also slows or stops DOS games and programs, which need to load their own memory managers or control hardware directly for better performance.

With HAL in the way, developers must rewrite or even abandon their older software in favor of newer, HAL-compatible versions. Microsoft has pressured hardware makers to provide or support technologies such as MMX, DirectX, and 3D graphics language OpenGL, all of which allow fast but indirect access to the advanced high-performance features of video, sound, and CPU hardware. Such access also makes for a better visual experience when using Windows for Web and productivity applications; improved graphics performance is evident all over Windows XP's new user interface.

XP also offers some new compatibility-mode features that let you run programs meant to run under earlier operating systems, but, frankly, most DOS-based and even some Windows-based games simply won't work with the new OS.

     Tip:  To see which HAL is currently installed, open Device Manager, and expand the Computer branch. The entry that

              appears in this branch corresponds to the currently installed HAL.

This may seem a long read but it does inform you about HAL.DLL

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_lib...

Hal.dll is the core of Windows' Hardware Abstraction Layer, which allows applications to access devices in the system without knowledge of the specific protocol used by any one device.

Although drivers for most hardware are contained in external files, core drivers (which are required to support the kernel) are compiled into Hal.dll. Different sets of drivers may be selected depending on whether the system uses multiple processors, the presence of ACPI or an APIC, etc.