Computer Question

[AJ]

Our old desktop used to work and turn on just fine, it was just an old and slow pile. Out of the blue it will no longer power up fully, I get the following error:

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

<Windows root>\systems32\ntoskrnl.exe.

Please re-install a copy of the above file.


My question, how do i do that if I can't power the thing up...

 

[concealer404]

Throw in a windows disk, then try to boot it up. Been a while since i did this, but on the older operating systems, there was a "repair" mode where it would install the missing files off that disk.

 

[AJ]

giving this a shot, but thus far doesn't seem to be working as when it gets to an areas asking which windows installation i want to log onto it asks for a admin p/w and I don't recall any p/w's on that machine.

 

[dmention7]

if there was no password, just hit enter at that point.

 

[AJ]

I did, and then is just gives me the command prompt. So I type help for a list of options and I'm just stuck from there what would find and repair that file.

 

[Picklz]

What version of windows is/was on that machine?

 

[AJ]

xp home edition

 

[Z-licious]

NT OS KERNEL is missing? LOL How did you pull that off?

Anyway, this might help:

http://tinyurl.com/3nsrl5k

Missing or corrupt ntoskrnl.exe file

If the ntoskrnl.exe file is corrupt or missing this can also generate the error. To restore this file follow the below steps.

Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Note: If you have a recovery CD or a restore CD and not a Microsoft Windows XP CD it is likely the below steps will not resolve your issue.
Reboot the computer, as the computer is starting you should see a message to press any key to boot from the CD. When you see this message press any key.
In the Microsoft Windows XP setup menu press the R key to enter the recovery console.
Select the operating system you wish to fix, and then enter the administrator password.
Type expand d:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ c:\windows\system32
You will then be prompted if you wish to overwrite the file type Y and press enter to overwrite the file.
Type exit to reboot the computer.

 

[mndsm]

Where's the any key?