ntoskrnl.exe missing

[johnie brown]

I got this message:"windows could not start because its
missing this file":"<windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
is missing. please reinstall a copy of this file and
restart". well, I downloaded a copy of this file using my
other computer but I need to know how to reinstall it
because I don't know how to get to a msdos prompt or to
get the computer off the blank screen with this error at
the top of this screen. how can I do this?I tried to
pushb delto enter setup and was able to do this once but
the screen was "froze" and wouldn't let me do anything.
can anyone give me some ideas? thank you for your help.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

If your hard disk is formatted FAT32, you can use a DOS boot disk to boot
the computer and copy the file from the floppy to the hard disk. If your
system is formatted FAT32, you need to boot with the XP CD and let it run.
When you're prompted to Install or Repair, choose Repair. This will take
you into the Recovery Console. Follow the prompts. When you get to the C:
or C:\Windows prompt, enter the following command:

EXPAND -R X:\I386\NTOSKRNL.EX_ C:\Windows\System32

This will extract a copy from your CD.

Note: At least Hotfix Q811493 and SP1 use version 5.1.2600.1106 of this
file, where the original retail/OEM version was 5.1.2600.