mkaswell
asked on
Windows could not restart because the following file is missing or corrupt: <windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
When I start my computer I get the following message:
Windows could not restart because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<windows root>\system 32\ntoskrnl.exe
I have looked up many logs online and solutions but can't find the answer. I have a Windows XP disc, but it is not the original one for this computer (which I no longer have). When I boot the CD in everything starts up okay and I am brought to the menu: "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER. To Repair...press R." So I pressed R to repair, because I do not want to lose any data still on my computer. Once I am brought to the next menu, "which windows installation would you like to log onto." The only option is: 1: C:\WINDOWS. So, I press 1 and nothing happens. Not other information comes up, like CHKDSK or any of that. So I click enter and "C:\WINDOWS" shows up.
From here, I have no idea what to do or how to fix this. Please help me figure it out.
Windows could not restart because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<windows root>\system 32\ntoskrnl.exe
I have looked up many logs online and solutions but can't find the answer. I have a Windows XP disc, but it is not the original one for this computer (which I no longer have). When I boot the CD in everything starts up okay and I am brought to the menu: "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER. To Repair...press R." So I pressed R to repair, because I do not want to lose any data still on my computer. Once I am brought to the next menu, "which windows installation would you like to log onto." The only option is: 1: C:\WINDOWS. So, I press 1 and nothing happens. Not other information comes up, like CHKDSK or any of that. So I click enter and "C:\WINDOWS" shows up.
From here, I have no idea what to do or how to fix this. Please help me figure it out.
ASKER
thanks jay...i tried that but when after typing the second command in the prompt it says "the file could not be copied
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SOLUTION
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What happened just before the problem occured the 1st time ?
What may be the cause of this in your view?
Do you have an option to back up your important data from the harddrive (e.g. connect it to another
PC as slave drive and just copy the data, or imaging through the network with imaging software like Ghost or even better - boot from LiveCD like Knoppix) ?
BTW Booting from LiveCD is a good way to check that your harddrive is still readable.
What may be the cause of this in your view?
Do you have an option to back up your important data from the harddrive (e.g. connect it to another
PC as slave drive and just copy the data, or imaging through the network with imaging software like Ghost or even better - boot from LiveCD like Knoppix) ?
BTW Booting from LiveCD is a good way to check that your harddrive is still readable.
SOLUTION
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What's wrong with a repair install?
Boot from the XP CD. At the first screen, choose option 1 (install XP) NOT option 2 ("R" for repair takes you to Recovery Console). At the second screen, press f8 to accept the EULA. At the third screen, if the option to press "R" for repair is there, do that. If the option to repair is not there, quit setup.
You will need to input your product key, and when set up is finished you will need to re-activate Windows. But all your original settings will be kept, and all your data will be intact. All you will need to do is re-install updates.
Boot from the XP CD. At the first screen, choose option 1 (install XP) NOT option 2 ("R" for repair takes you to Recovery Console). At the second screen, press f8 to accept the EULA. At the third screen, if the option to press "R" for repair is there, do that. If the option to repair is not there, quit setup.
You will need to input your product key, and when set up is finished you will need to re-activate Windows. But all your original settings will be kept, and all your data will be intact. All you will need to do is re-install updates.
Check boot.ini file.It should have correct entry.
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mkaswell,
Did you try a repair install? Did it resolve your rpoblem?
Please let us have some feedback...
Did you try a repair install? Did it resolve your rpoblem?
Please let us have some feedback...
OK
General practise I have also been attempting to promote good use of boot diskette, which can be best solution to similar issue once understood. I apparently assumed none available here, this user, but have intent on leaving it as comment anyway for others
General practise I have also been attempting to promote good use of boot diskette, which can be best solution to similar issue once understood. I apparently assumed none available here, this user, but have intent on leaving it as comment anyway for others
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307545
if i can say, you are best with a clean install as soon as possible.