ntoskrnl.exe is corrupted. windows wont open

May 9th, 2004, 9:39 pm

when i turn on my computer an error pops up before windows even starts


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

<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe.
Please reinstall a copy of the above file.

My question is if I do a repair installation of windows will I lose all my data and all my programs. I am running windows xp pro.


PLEASE HELP!!

May 9th, 2004, 10:36 pm

Hello,

If you do a repair installation of Windows (XP?), you won't have to re-install any of your apps. However, you will have to install all of your windows hotfixes and updates. You shouldn't have to do a repair install, however.

You can use the Recovery Console on your Windows CD .

Just follow the instructions at the above link.

Once at the command prompt, type in the following commands:

Edited:

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cd c:\windows\system32

copy "..\driver cache\i386\ntoskrnl.exe"

1. cd c:\windows\system32
3. copy "..\driver cache\i386\ntoskrnl.exe"

If prompted to overwite the existing file, type y and enter.

If you receive a file not found error, make sure that the path in the copy command is correct. If it is correct and you still receive the error, then try the following commands:

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cd "c:\windows\driver cache\i386"

expand sp1.cab -F:ntoskrnl.exe c:\windows\system32

1. cd "c:\windows\driver cache\i386"
3. expand sp1.cab -F:ntoskrnl.exe c:\windows\system32

Again, if you are prompted to overwrite the file, type y and then enter.

Also, if your OS is installed on a partition/drive other than C:, then replace any occurance of C: with the correct letter. (D: for example).

Replace any occurence of 'windows' with what is appropriate for your system. (winnt for example)

Reboot. Your system should start up normally.

May 10th, 2004, 2:51 am

Thats a great source of info on repairing XP! Gonna make a note of that.

S

May 10th, 2004, 11:57 am

I've used this method to replace corrupted system files on a few occasions. There is a folder in system32 called dllcache which contains backups of many critical system files. Generally, if you have a problem with a corrupted file which causes windows 2000/XP to crash or not load at all, you can use the recovery console and replace the file in question with the copy found in dllcache. The chances that the original file and the copy in dllcache are both corrupted are very slim. Of course, if you have problems with lots of files, you should always run a Virus scan...

Cheers,

May 10th, 2004, 4:59 pm

Yeah,
I agree about always running a virus scan. I have had many problems which have easily been fixed by runing virus/spybot/adware programs. Always a good place top start when trouble shooting.

May 10th, 2004, 6:23 pm

thank you for all the replies. I fixed the ntoskrnl.exe file but now it is giving me the same message with a different file.

<Windows>system32\config\system

any help in repairing this problem would also be greatly appreciated

Wes

May 10th, 2004, 6:31 pm

In a reply to a private message, I sent Wes a link to this page with recovery instructions:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Cheers,

May 10th, 2004, 8:07 pm

Nice link, thanks guy.

May 18th, 2004, 1:50 pm

Thank you so very much for this information. For some reason or another, my ntoskrnl.exe was corrupt as well. I did exactly what you said and I'm back online!!!

Thank you so much. You saved me a huge headache. BTW, anyone know what makes this happen?

I'm running a virus scan as we speak, but no problems as of yet?

May 18th, 2004, 2:08 pm

Your welcome. Glad you were able to fix your system!

As for the why a file becomes corrupt, there are numerous reasons. A virus is definetly one cause. It's good that you are checking your system.

Other possible causes can be found here:
http://www.sturec.com/help/general/corruption.htm

I've even heard it said that a 'cosmic ray particle' can corrupt a file. While I believe this is certainly possible, It's probably a rare event.

If I find a corrupt file, I usually attribute it to entropy. Unless a virus was the culprit.

Seriously, though, I'm sure there are other reasons.

Cheers,

May 18th, 2004, 2:23 pm

Well if its of any relevance, we had a really bad lightning storm a few weeks ago. I have this computer hooked up to another monitor which is served mainly for a diff. computer. I'm running remote desktop. So it was quite a surprise to me when I tried to connect to it one day, and no go. That's when I had to drag the big hunk of crap monitor from the basement up here to do some troubleshooting.

Thank you again. I really appreciate it.
-Matt

May 18th, 2004, 3:01 pm

A lightning storm certainly can wreak havoc on a computer but if it happened a few weeks ago I doubt that was the cause of this particular failure. Unless it did damage that is only now revealing itself. I certainly hope this is not the case.

May 18th, 2004, 3:13 pm

Alright, hmmmm.....as I was reading that post my computer just restarted itself...no idea why. The power did not go out, that was just plain weird. Also, twice I've had this problem. The computer wouldn't start up. I believe this was after the storm. I found out later one of the times was cause a video driver? Even though I hadn't touched my drivers for a while and everything was always fine. Also, when I tried to start my computer during these times it made a very loud whining/humming noise immediately when I turned the power on. Very hard to describe. After I turned it off, after hearing that, and turned it back on. It did it again. So I tried it again, and it didn't do it.

I know its extremely vague, but any idea what might be the cause of this?

[ATNO/TW]

May 18th, 2004, 3:52 pm

Re the noise - I'd suggest checking your CD drive/s for a disk. Sounds like you're describing the sound some CD drives make when they spin up if there's a disk in it. It's usually everytime, but it's possible that it won't. If there's a disk in the drive remove it, and that sound will probably go away.

If not, it could be your power supply fan or your CPU fan, although I doubt it.

May 24th, 2004, 12:43 am

Hey jrzycrm
I have sent you a PM check your inbox.

regards
zencadet