My laptop crashed - missing file

Hi everybody - I love these forums - I have learned so much but I do not know what to do with the error I have on my computer now.
I have an HP Pavilion ze2000 with 1 GB of RAM and Windows XP. The computer is a couple of years old and we added a 1/2 gig of ram to it(came with 1/2 gig). I was browsing Mozilla with a couple of tabs open, when it stopped responding - a blue screen popped up saying something about needing to delete physical memory - I panicked without reading the screen very carefully and shut the computer off. A couple of days before I got a message saying that my memory was low. Now Windows fails to load and the last time I tried I got the following message....

Windows could not load because the following file is corrupt

<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

I have had many different stories from the so called experts that I have called anything from trash it to everything is recoverable. I have many important files (to me) on the computer and some irreplaceable pictures that I just never got around to putting on a disc - same old dumb story - I know, I
know!

I would sure appreciate some assistance and look forward to learning. I am now using my husband's computer and I KNOW he would appreciate you help as much as I would :-D

 

Have you tried switching off the PC and then switching it on and tapping the key F8, when the boot menu come up using the arrow keys select "last known good configuration" and see if you can get it to boot that if so you have a chance to recover your data.

 

If this does not work try

1. Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD.
2. Boot from the CD.
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. (XP)
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.

This is some times also a hardware problem,

 

Thak you for responding! I am now at work - DARN! Can't wait to get home and try these suggestions.

I will keep you informed.

 

This did not work . Got another blue screen that disappeared so fast I couldn't read it! I tried it again with my finger on the pause key and it still didn't work.

 

Dumb question - does it have to be the CD that came with that computer - seems I'm having a bit of trouble locating it

 

well them you do have a little problem you would have to have the same version of XP OR could do a new install

 

I called HP and ordered a replacement yesterday. They were overnighting it, so hopefully I will get it today or tomorrow.

 

I got my replacement CD. The problem is #4...I can only type one letter "X" and then it will not let me type anymore. The "P" key works fine but it only allows one letter to be typed and will not let me proceed. Then the computer is on some kind of a count down and when so much time goes by without the correct answer (XP) it reboots again.

This is so frustrating.....anyone else ever run into this problem?