Computer (Windows XP) will not reboot and error message reads:?

Question

Windows could not start because the follwing file is either missing or corrupt:

\system32\mtoskrnl.exe (sp?)
Please re-install a copy of the above file

I was planning on using the Operating System CD for Windows XP that came with my other computer.. But I wanted to make sure first that this is what I should do..

Is there a way to fix this without all my files and pictures getting deleted?? PLEASE help.

Thanks

In English?

Should I just hire someone to fix it that knows what they are doing and can make sure they don't lose my files?

How the heck can I burn my pictures to a CD if the freaking Windows isn't working?

Balk - Please email me [e-mail]

Does that work if I have a laptop? Or must it be another desktop? How would I do it?

Answer 1

Safe Mode doesn't work either? If it does, then try running System Restore. It's in the Programs|Accessories|System Tools menu when you click the Start button.
If Safe Mode works, you can get someone to download a 'mtoskml.exe' file (look around the Internet - some sites provide all kinds of Windows files) for you and then copy it to a CD. Then you can just copy the file over.
If you run the Windows XP CD, it also has a 'repair Windows' option which you can use to copy the file over too from the command prompt.

If you don't want to use my advice from your other question, you'll have to make use of a friend's desktop computer to copy your files.
Remove the hard drive and look on the back of it. There should be a plastic jumper on two pins marked 'Master' or 'MA'. Move the jumper to 'Slave' or 'SA' and connect the hard drive to a friend's computer. Then just copy the files from your hard drive to you friend's hard drive.

Answer 2

You first have to know if the Operating System is Genuine, the computer must have a partition in the hard drive where It's located your OS which can be run and fix the problem. I advice you to look for Professional Help to do this task, They will have to back up your files, then run your Genuine OS. If your Operating System isn't genuine you have the option to run your other Computer CD but It's very important to back up your files just in case. As I said, you better go and look for professional help because though It's easy, sometimes It's not easy for a newly in this.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

In your case, since you can not boot in to Windows, I suggest you use a live CD to gain access to your files and copy them on to removable media, such as an external hard drive, jump drive or CD-RW. A live CD contains an entire operating system; so, it doesn't need be installed or to boot from the hard drive. The more popular live CD including: Knoppix, Ubuntu or Damn Small Linux. They are totally free but you need to download them and burn them on to a blank CD. Afterwards, make sure your computer is set to boot from the optical drive first. Insert the live CD in to the drive and it will boot in to a Linux type operating system. You will have access to all your files and even have access to the Internet for remote help.

1. Knoppix http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
2. Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/ ( you can also order it free from Ubuntu)
3. Damn Small Linux http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/download.html

Once you have all your personal files saved, follow the instructions on how to reinstall Windows without destroying any data stored on the hard drive. Read

"Langa Letter: XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive Total-Rebuild Option " -- written by Fred Langa, Informationweek.com

"Fred Langa shows you how to completely rebuild, repair, or refresh an existing XP installation without losing data, and without having to reinstall user software, reformat, or otherwise destructively alter the setup. " -- excerpt from the article

Answer 4

Boot to your Windows CD and do a repair of Windows

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

There are other help sites like that one. If it is too confusing, do a search for "repairing windows XP"

If you are at all unsure, then yes, take it to a Local Computer Shop and have them do the repair.

Answer 5

yeah windows is based on a kernel which runs the whole thing if this get damaged windows stops working..
when using the cd choose the option to repair, not reinstall or update. this will check all the files on windows and fix them.

Answer 6

If your computer hangs or reboots while you are working on it, it could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software. This problem can be solved by uninstalling new softwares, updating device drivers and making minor configuration changes. Detailed instructions at http://tinyurl.com/yk5zpr

Answer 7

Have you ran an anti virus scan? If you are going to use your disc or use restore, you should burn off all your pics and anything else you want to keep.

Answer 8

slave the hard drive and extract the files needed from an auxilliary rather than main position...your boot sector is screwed

Answer 9

Try here:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000646.htm