Missing or corrupted file - ntoskrnl.exe

[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.

 

[PA Bear]

See...

Using Recovery Console to Recover from Startup Problems
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...all/reskit/en-us/prmb_tol_zldj.asp?frame=true

 

[Dave]

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

 

[PVR]

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.