WinXP not starting due to hal.dll

Hey everyone, I have a custom-built pc that is not starting, that is, Windows XP will not boot up. I get a black screen with the message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

\system32\hal.dll

Please re-install a copy of the above file.

OK- I've looked through this site and a bunch of others for DAYS. I am very frustrated, since no one seems to have the exact same problem I do. I can't boot into safe mode AT ALL; In the screen with the BIOS, I can't reconfigure the drive order, it just rejects what I do. I'm not familiar with computers much, and have gotten very frustrated. My original CD-ROM drive crapped out, so now all I have is the CD burner drive left.

How can I ("Step by step", please ) start CLEAN again? I have my original Windows XP Home disk/key.

FYI- a friend "reloaded" my pc with WinXP Pro 2 years ago.

I just want to start from an absolutely clean, totally wiped slate again. Please help!

TIA

expand the file from the CD. The command would be expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll. Substitute d: for the drive letter of your CD. Once you have expanded the file type "exit" to exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

Above quote is from Kelly's Corner:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

Best Regards