Missing or corrupted file - ntoskrnl.exe

  • Thread starter Thread starter PVR
  • Start date Start date
P

PVR

I use WindowsXP/SP2 in a tower with P4/2.4. Yesterday morning without any
warning my machine would not start Windows. Instead I received a message
indicating that Windows could not start because of a missing or corrupted
ntoskrnl.exe. This file should be reinstalled.

I went to MS Knowledge Base 314477 and chose Method Three for repair. The PC
did not respond as expected according to KB 314477. Instead I received a
blue screen with three options - 1). Setup XP on the selected item. 2).
Create a partition. 3). Delete a partition. Below this was a box with
"Unknown Disk. (There is no disk in this drive.) 76317 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on
bus 0 on atapi [MBR]." Below this was a highlighted line with

C: Partition1 (System) [NTFS] 76317 MB (63264 MB free)

I couldn't do anything but opt for item 1, Setup XP on the selected item.
(This completely removed all my data and apps but I did have a full backup
from May and several backups of Changed Files up to Nov. 1.) A fresh install
of XP was obtained and I installed the backup software (Backup MyPC,
StompSoft). The PC started normally.

I started the full Restore, the first part of which was System State. I
received a message that the Registry had been restored and I should restart
the PC. When I did this I received the "missing or corrupted ntoskrnl.exe"
message again.

How do I get out of this "loop" and perform a full Restore of my apps and
data?

I appreciate all the help I can get on this.

Peter.
 
You can also try performing an in-place upgrade as stated in the following
article:

315341 How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315341

This should not affect any data or programs which are installed, but you
will have to reinstall service packs and critical updates when completed.

Dave
 
My problem is that whatever I do always results in the "missing or corrupted
ntoskrnl" message. I can reinstall Windows and everything works OK. HOWEVER,
When I Restore the registry from my backup set and restart I get the message
above. I am using the Full backup from last May so I doubt the registry in
the backup is corrupt.

I am going to try the approach suggested by Dave. I have tried P. A. Bear's
suggestion but I never receive an opportunity to use the "R" key as shown in
my first post.

I appreciate the help from Bear and Dave.

Peter.
 
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