My desktop computer will not boot due to missing ntoskrnl.exe file, how can I fix this?

Question

We do not have the restore discs for the computer and Ive searched & searched for the download of this file... help please!!

Answer 1

try the recovery disk

Answer 2

One of the simplest repairs for problem concerning Windows boot files is to run the "Repair Console". To do this you will need an XP installation CD. If you don't own one, see if one of your friends does. Since you are only using the disk to run the repair, you will not be in violation of the Windows ULA. Also, check the BIOS to be sure that the CD drive comes before the Hard Drive in the boot sequence.

Read the following.

USING THE WINDOWS REPAIR CONSOLE

Put your XP disk into your CD drive and restart your system. This will start the XP installation process. When you come to the screen that asks if you want to install XP or if you would like to “Repair” XP, choose Repair. This will open the repair console command prompt. At the prompt, type: chkdsk /r. (There is a space between the k and the /. Now hit “Enter”. The repair should now start. Allow it to run until it stops. This can take some time, so be patient.

If all goes well, XP will replace any and all missing operating system files.

Answer 3

If the ntoskrnl.exe file is corrupt or missing this can also generate the error. To restore this file follow the below steps.

1. Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Note: If you have a recovery CD or a restore CD and not a Microsoft Windows XP CD it is likely the below steps will not resolve your issue.
2. Reboot the computer, as the computer is starting you should see a message to press any key to boot from the CD. When you see this message press any key.
3. In the Microsoft Windows XP setup menu press the R key to enter the recovery console.
4. Select the operating system you wish to fix, and then enter the administrator password.
5. Type expand d:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ c:\windows\system32
6. You will then be prompted if you wish to overwrite the file type Y and press enter to overwrite the file.
7. Type exit to reboot the computer.

Answer 4

Issue:
NTOSKRNL.EXE is missing or corrupt.

Related errors:

Below is a listing of the full error message that may be related to this error.

Windows NT could not start because the below file is missing or corrupt:

C:\Winnt\System32\Ntoskrnl.exe

Cause:
Keyboard issue
Miscellaneous corruption
Corrupt boot.ini file.
Missing boot.ini file.
Missing or corrupt ntoskrnl.exe file.
Windows NT installed on a partition bigger then 7.8GB
Corrupted hard disk drive or severely corrupted Windows.
Solution:
Keyboard issue
This issue has also been known to be caused by a short in the ground wire in the keyboard cable. Make sure this is not the cause of your error by replacing the keyboard with a different keyboard or simply just disconnecting the keyboard from the computer.

Miscellaneous corruption
Before trying any of the below recommendations it's recommend that you attempt to load the last known good configuration. Additional information about doing this can be found on document CH000626.

Corrupt boot.ini file
This issue is often caused when the boot.ini is missing or improperly configured. This issue often arises after a user has recently added or removed an operating system on the computer or added or removed hard disk drives in the computer.

Make sure the line pointing to the operating system and it's drive and partition is properly configured in the [boot loader] and [operating systems] section. Additional information about boot.ini can be found on document CH000492.

Missing boot.ini file
Microsoft Windows XP users:

If the boot.ini is severely corrupted or missing a user running Microsoft Windows XP can rebuild the boot.ini to resolve this issue. Additional information about rebuilding the boot.ini can be found on document CH000648.

Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000 users:

To restore the original boot.ini file in Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000 you will need an ERD and follow the below steps. If you do not have an ERD you will be unable to follow these steps.

Boot the computer with your Windows NT three setup diskettes or the Windows 2000 setup disc.
In the setup menu, type R to start the repair.
When prompted for the ERD diskette insert the diskette and inspect the startup environment.
Missing or corrupt ntoskrnl.exe file
If the ntoskrnl.exe file is corrupt or missing this can also generate the error. To restore this file follow the below steps.

Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Note: If you have a recovery CD or a restore CD and not a Microsoft Windows XP CD it is likely the below steps will not resolve your issue.
Reboot the computer, as the computer is starting you should see a message to press any key to boot from the CD. When you see this message press any key.
In the Microsoft Windows XP setup menu press the R key to enter the recovery console.
Select the operating system you wish to fix, and then enter the administrator password.
Type expand d:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ c:\windows\system32
You will then be prompted if you wish to overwrite the file type Y and press enter to overwrite the file.
Type exit to reboot the computer.
Windows NT installed on a partition bigger then 7.8GB
If you are running Microsoft windows NT 4.0 on a partition larger than 7.8GB this issue can occur if the boot files are located outside this limitation. When this error occurs your computer will have the error message as shown below.

OS Loader v4.01
Disk I/O error status=00000001
Windows NT could not start because the below file is missing or corrupt: winnt\system32\Ntoskrnl.exe
Please reinstall a copy of the above file.

If your system partition is larger than 7.8GB you will need to delete the partition and recreate the partition to 7.8GB or less. Additional information about this issue can be found on Microsoft KB Q224526.

Corrupted hard disk drive or severely corrupted Windows
Attempt to check the hard disk drive for any errors by running the chkdsk error. To do this follow the below steps.

Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Note: If you have a recovery CD or a restore CD and not a Microsoft Windows XP CD it is likely the below steps will not resolve your issue.
Reboot the computer, as the computer is starting you should see a message to press any key to boot from the CD. When you see this message press any key.
In the Microsoft Windows XP setup menu press the R key to enter the recovery console.
Select the operating system you wish to fix, and then enter the administrator password.
Once at the recovery console type chkdsk /r
Once completed type exit and see if issue is resolved.
If after trying all of the above steps you are still encountering the same issue it's likely that Windows is severely corrupted and it is recommended you attempt to reinstall Windows. Additional information about erasing the computer and starting over can be found on document CH000186.

Finally, if during the Windows installation you encounter errors it's likely that your hard disk drive is bad.

Answer 5

I would make sure that you are not working with a HD that is run missing data spots and that you have a fast procer speed. If you do not have a fast cpu speed. The computer will not take XP and you would of wasted the money on a disk that will not work. Once you know that the computer will be able to run xp. I would get oem ver. It is much cheaper, but for reson you want to instal on diffent cpu. You will have to make sure is the same system type as the one you have a disk for. (hp, acer, dell.... you get the idea. best of luck.

Answer 6

Use system restore to take your computer back to a date before you started to have problems. You can find system restore in the Start menu under Help and Support

Answer 7

You need to beg or borrow an XP cd (preferably the same type you have, home or pro or media center) and start a repair install. When you get to the repair console try:

fixmbr

and

fixboot

Answer 8

first of all does it not load all? have your tried load into safe mode at start up screen after bios load press F8 for windows loading options if that doesn't work then you need to get a windows recovery disk and there are some online

Answer 9

http://www.processlibrary.com/directory/files/ntoskrnl/

Answer 10

i dont think you can

http://www.google.com/search?q=ntoskrnl.exe

contact me, maybe i can help you out