Err Msg: Windows Could Not Start...(Missing Ntoskrnl.exe)

The following error or similar appears when trying to start the computer:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Winnt_root\System32\Ntoskrnl.exe (or other filename)
Please re-install a copy of the above file.
Fix the error by restoring the file from a command prompt as follows:

Step 1: Opening a command prompt

This error prevents Windows XP from opening. This problem has to be addressed from a command prompt environment.
Use the following steps to open a command prompt environment:
  1. Turn on the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly when the first screen displays.
    The Windows Advanced Options menu displays.
  2. Use the Up and Down Arrow and Enter keys to select Return to OS choices .
  3. Select Microsoft Windows Recovery Console .

    4. NOTE:If Microsoft Windows XP Recovery Console is not listed, restart the computer with a Windows XP CD, Recovery Console CD, or Recovery Tools CD in the top CD or DVD drive and open Microsoft Windows Recovery Console. If a Windows XP Setup screen displays when using Recovery Console CDs, press the R key to open the Recovery Console.

  4. When the login prompt displays, press the number next to the Windows version (minint or Windows) and type the login password. Try pressing Enter if you do not know the password.
  5. At the command prompt, type the following: diskpart
  6. Press Enter , and do one the following:
    • If a table of volume names displays, remember the drive letter next to the main drive volume name (usually D or H), and press the Esc key.
    • If a diskpart prompt displays, type list volume , press Enter , remember the drive letter next to the main drive volume name (usually D or H), type exit when done, and then press Enter .

Step 2: Replacing the file from a backup folder

Use the following steps to find and replace the missing file from the command prompt environment

NOTE:The following steps use the filename Ntoskrnl.exe. If the filename that appears on your computer is different, replace Ntoskrnl.exe with the filename from the error.

  1. Type the following at the command prompt: cd X:\i386 (where X is the main drive letter)
  2. Press the Enter key. If the error The system cannot find the path specified appears, enter the following paths, in order, until the error does not occur:
    • cd X:\Windows\i386 (where X is the main drive letter)
    • cd X:\i386 (where X is the main drive letter)
    • cd X:\Windows\i386 (where X is the main drive letter)
  3. Type the following at the command prompt:
    expand ntoskrnl.ex_ X:\windows\system32 (where X is the main drive letter)
    If your filename is different, replace ntoskrnl.ex_ with the filename that appears in the error and replace the last character in the filename with an underscore (_).
  4. Press the Enter key, and type the following at the command prompt:
    cd X:\windows\system32 (where X is the drive letter)
  5. Press the Enter key, and type the following at the command prompt:
    attrib ntoskrnl.exe -r
  6. Press the Enter key, and type the following at the command prompt:
    rename ntoskrnl.exe ntoskrnl.bak
  7. Press the Enter key, and type the following at the command prompt:
    rename ntoskrnl.ex_ ntoskrnl.exe
  8. Press Enter and type the following at the command prompt:
    exit
  9. Press Enter and the PC restarts without the error. If the error persists, continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Replacing boot.ini if necessary

If the error continues, preventing you from opening Windows, the boot.ini file is probably corrupted. Open a command prompt and replace the boot.ini as follows by typing:
copy X:\windows\pss\boot.ini.backup X:\boot.ini (where X is the main drive letter)
After the boot.ini file is replaced, restart the PC.

Step 4: Reinstalling the PC

If the error still continues, reinstall Windows XP

 

TKB:1130