Missing or Corrupt ntoskrnl file - PLEASE HELP!!

[Keith]

I am having a problem and really need some help!!! I was applying a
service pack to my XP Home OS and it encountered some problems and shut
down. When I restarted the machine it tells me the ntoskrnl file is missing
or corrupt. I tried booting from the CD and using the Repair option, but it
will not accept the Administrator password we had setup. It tells me it is
incorrect. I have some real important files on this drive so I installed a
second copy of XP and was able to get to all except those in the Document
Settings/My Folder. It says "access denied". How can I either repair the
original install if it won't take the password, or log in so that I have
access to my folder in Documents Settings? Hope someone can help!!!!!
I appreciate any advice!

 

[Menno Hershberger]

I am having a problem and really need some help!!! I was applying a
service pack to my XP Home OS and it encountered some problems and
shut down. When I restarted the machine it tells me the ntoskrnl file
is missing or corrupt. I tried booting from the CD and using the
Repair option, but it will not accept the Administrator password we
had setup. It tells me it is incorrect. I have some real important
files on this drive so I installed a second copy of XP and was able to
get to all except those in the Document Settings/My Folder. It says
"access denied". How can I either repair the original install if it
won't take the password, or log in so that I have access to my folder
in Documents Settings? Hope someone can help!!!!!
I appreciate any advice!

There's possibly some info at
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Q_20460218.html
that would help.
I think you should have done a repair install instead of installing a
second copy of XP. Forget the restore console (where you need the
password), just go on past that to where it asks if you want to install
Windows. Press enter and it will show you the current existing
installations. Before you installed a second copy, there would have only
been one showing. Highlight the faulty one and choose "repair
installation" (by pressing "R"). This will leave your data intact. If it
works OK for you, then someone else can probably tell you how to get rid
of your second installation. That might be a little tricky on account of
the boot menu, but I'm sure it can be done.
Reference the password... I paid $80 for a less than 100 Kb routine
that lets you reset that administrator password. It was a ripoff but I
was desperate at the time. With a repair install, you don't need it.