Need help, my computer won't start.?

Question

I start up, and this pops up.

Windows couldn't start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

/system32/ntoskrnl.exe

Please reinstall this file (Or something like that)


Now, its not spyware or adware...or virus...because its never been online. Its a strictly offline computer.

I looked up a couple things, and one said to load from a windows XP cd. I did that. But, I can't log into anything. I loaded the recover section, and something about picking the loading place or something. The only button that does anything is the number 1. Then administrator password pops up, but it doesn't work. And thats all I can do with the CD.

I tried a couple of other things, but I couldn't load anything I needed, like safemode, or last known working configuration.

So, how do I fix this if the XP CD won't work, I can't access anything I need to, and it won't load anything?

Thats the thing, it wont startup up. It loads the memory and all that, then says a couple things loading, then a black screen saying it can't load. When I start from the CD, it needs an administrator password, or I can't do anything.

Well...I don't want to erase everything. And I know it can be fixed, I just need to figure out how. I fixed a problem on my friends computer where the blue screen would pop up and say the hard drive was corrupt, basically. It had a code, but thats what it meant. And I fixed a couple files and it works fine.

Answer 1

You need to BOOT from your cd - not just use it in windows. Put it in the drive - then cancel anything that pops up - shutdown your machine leaving the CD in and then restart - watch the screen for the command to press any key to boot from CD - follow the instructions and do a windows REPAIR/REINSTALL - this will replace the missing files. If you don't get the prompt to boot from CD then you need to go to the bios and enable the CD drive as your primary boot device.

Answer 2

Greetings!

Since you have the disk, you will need to format the hard drive. It appears that the system files are corrupted. When you overwrite with the disk it does not read the files in a folder it simply sees a folder and assumes the files are in there. Thus it assumes the nt kernel is in the nt folder.

You will have to lose everything on the computer to do this as you will choose a new install which will format the drive.

Good Luck

Answer 3

You might need to reinstall Windows XP. If you can't boot in safemode then there is something bad wrong.

Answer 4

There may be many reasons for this problem. I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems. Some hard drive or hardware problems can be easily fixed yourself by using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful

Answer 5

you can try to do a install of windows XP but rather than new or raw install you can try upgrade. that should work im not too sure if there is any other ways thats the best advice i can give to u