me eleventh post

I HATE COMPUTERS!!...I have lost all my files!!!...I think, well, my computer wouldn't boot up and I kept getting this message "Windows cannot start because their is a file missing or corrupt. system32/hal.dll Please re-install"...What da hell!! I went crazy trying to figure out how to re-install this one file, but no dice. So, I went to FRYS electronic and I think I should of just gone to the local burger joint for computer advice. I did what they told me to do and now all my files are gooooooone!!!! Bastards, I bought a recovery program, but not all my files are viewable. So I need to learn LINUX!! I heard from a computer geek that that os will not crash, stall or crap on itself...I have yet to find out. If any one can help with my little problem I would greatly appreciate it. Apparently when I reboot windows it gives me the option to run windows xp(the one I just installed) or windowsxp(the one that wont open because of the missing or corrupt file)...I hope my files are still, maybe in that other partition....Help!