missing file?

I went to do a system restore, and had the power go out, when I tried to restart my system I keep getting this message, “[could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.]”
What the hell is that? and what does it mean?
I have the CD, and that will not start either, niether will safe mode….Please Help me out here, never saw this before, but this “IS” windows. Gonna go to LINUX I think…..