Indiana University
University Information Technology Services
  
What are archived documents?
Login>>
Login

Login is for authorized groups (e.g., UITS, OVPIT, and TCC) that need access to specialized Knowledge Base documents. Otherwise, simply use the Knowledge Base without logging in.

Close

In Windows XP, what should I do when I get a message that the Ntoskrnl.exe file is missing or corrupt?

In Windows XP, you may see the following error message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<winnt root>\System32\Ntoskrnl.exe
Please re-install a copy of the above file."

This error message can occur under either of the following conditions:

  • The default value in the "Boot Loader" section of the Boot.ini file is missing or invalid.
  • Windows is not installed in the location specified in the Boot.ini file.

For more about the Boot.ini file, see Microsoft article 314081:

Search Microsoft Help and Support.

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods:

Method 1

Use the bootcfg utility in the Recovery Console to correct the Boot.ini file:

  1. Use the Windows XP CD-ROM to start your computer.

  2. When prompted, press  r  to repair Windows by using the Recovery Console.

  3. Select the Windows installation that you want, and when prompted, type the administrator password.

  4. Enter bootcfg .

  5. When the Windows installation is located:

    1. When prompted to "Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)", press  y .
    2. When prompted to "Enter Load Identifier:", enter the name of the operating system, either Windows XP Professional Edition or Windows XP Home Edition .
    3. When prompted to "Enter OS Load options:", leave this field blank, and then press Enter.

  6. Restart your computer, and then select the first item on the boot menu. This should allow Windows XP to start normally.

After Windows XP has successfully loaded, you can modify the Boot.ini file to remove the incorrect entry.

Method 2

Edit the Boot.ini file to restore or correct the default entry and to ensure that the other entries in the "Operating Systems" section of the Boot.ini file point to the appropriate directories.

The above information is based on Microsoft articles 124550, 314477, 99743, and 314081.

Search Microsoft Help and Support.

This is document aicr in domain all.
Last modified on October 08, 2009.

Comments/Questions/Corrections

Use this form to offer suggestions, corrections, and additions to the Knowledge Base. We welcome your input!

If you are affiliated with Indiana University and would like assistance with a specific computing problem, please use the Ask a Consultant form, or contact your campus Support Center.

Contact Information

Note: We will reply to your comment at this address. If your message concerns a problem receiving email, please enter an alternate email address.