ntoskrnl

using windows xp system and cannot get into computer (even in safe mode) without getting message - system32\ntoskrnl.exe is corrupted please reinstall. - can't get anything to execute to reinstall it. - Down loaded errorkiller from Macafee but cannot run it.....

any thoughts???

 

Put the windows XP CD into the system, start the installer and when it asks if you want to recovery an exsisting install or make a new one pick "recover exsisting install". It will then reinstall the ntoskml.exe file for you automaticly.

 

Does Safe Mode work?

Suggesting a repair right off the bat seems pretty hasty, and brings its own can of worms to the table. I'd try replacing ntoskrnl.exe from recovery console even before trying a repair.

 

What makes you scared of a repair? They just replace core system files with real core system files. Unless you've been hacking windows it wouldn't be a problem because changing core system files isn't even possible unless you hack.

 

Sorry, missed that you tried Safe Mode.

Do you have a real Windows XP CD?

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Trust me, a repair does far more than you mentioned.


Reasons to fear a repair:


1. It deletes all system restore points.
2. It reverts all files back to the CD version, not taking into account that it leaves registry entries for the new files in place, causing a file/registry mismatch. This causes major trouble when having a service pack installed, and doing a repair that reverts you to a state without it.
3. All drivers are removed and put back to a default state, which can also mean not installed. If your nic, or whatever device connecting you to the net requires drivers, and you don't have them backed up--you are in trouble.
4. The default registry hives are deleted and replaced by the current hives in the repair directory. This means that any problesm you may have had with them, that also could be causing your problem, now becomes permanent, unless there is a known reghack to fix it.
5. A repair is a huge security risk--but thats for a different discussion, and doesn't really relate to this issue.
6. Data loss. Take a peak: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312368. Allow us to take a moment and ponder upon that OEM preinstalled Windows XP is the most common installation. Nice going Microsoft!

A repair goes a long way to mess up more things than it fixes. It may get you into Windows, but it will be in a shambles.

Registry problems with no way to recover...file/registry mismatches...thanks, but no thanks.

 

Most users don't have an actual XP CD. XP is bundled with the system's Restore Disks which want to reload the whole package to the point the computer was just taken out of the box.

 

Yeah, sometimes.

I've bought two HP laptops, and both came with XP CDs.

I've bought Dells that came with XP CDs.

I've worked on countless OEM machines for MS that came with XP CDs.

Trust me, not every machine out there has a recovery image.

Which is another reason why not to repair, unless more information is gathered about the system in question.

 

The machine should have an XP CD. They legally have to, if they don't something is fishy. Many OEM providers do bundle extra crap into the XP CD's, but the core functionality still remains and it can launch the windows installer. If they do not distribute an OEM or actual CD in this way it's illegal and should be reported to MS. (If you actually care about having legit software)

 

As long as they have a recovery procedure, its legal. For example, most HP and Compaq computers have recovery partitions, and may not come with CDs. In that event, they have a CD/DVD creator, and while shoddy, its perfectly legal.


@ the original poster: Still waiting back to hear if you have a Windows XP CD

 

Have Windows XP CD - used it and tried to repair problem - got past ntoskrnl but now cannot get past c:\windows\system32\config problem. Have attached an external hard drive but have to work from command prompt.

New questions on DOS:
1. how to enable xcopy (loaded but not supported)
2. how to enable wildcards (set doesn't work)
3. how to get past ~ limitation - laptop has tons of photos so copy xcaret001.jpg as xcaret~1.jpg will work. Get to xcaret005.jpg and file not found...........

 

I warned you about the repair (maybe it came too late), now the OS is totally hosed.

Repairs are only useful in very specific circumstances.


C:\windows\system32\config\* any file from there refers to corrupt registry hives.


Can you install XP on the external drive? That way you may access your data.

 

Have attached an external hard drive. Hopefully, this drive is not USB. But, then again, external anything with dos is quite difficult, or near impossible.

Though, if you are linux xterm saavy, and never have touched a mouse once, during that time frame, then perhaps using dos USB drivers may help out.

IF this is not a laptop, I'd just get a new hard drive, install Windows on it, then copy any pertient data back onto your drive. Via INTERNAL means.

Or, try the repair installing again. Since the first failed, you can't make it any worse.

Or can one?

 

Hate to say - yes it is a laptop and the external drive is a usb...........
I did buy the external drive as a replacement for the laptop drive - seem like it is the only correct thing I've done. Would really like to get the photo's off any thoughts?

 

Doubtful, is the USB drive a 3.5" drive or a 5.1/4" drive?

A quick and painless way to fix this issue, of transferring the files over is to get a 3.5" to 5 1/4" converter. Take the laptop drive out, connect the drive to the converter, then hook it up internally, with a friends computer. Then transfer the files safely.

I've done this multiple ² times.

 

If it were me I'd get a Linux Distro like Knoppix which boots directly from a CD, and can mount NTFS partitions (which is probably what XP is installed on).

Knoppix also supports USB devices, so you can open up the hard drive and copy things over as you wish. Then you will need to format the drive (which can also be done from Knoppix) and do a clean install of XP.

IMO it's only worth going out to buy new kit (IDE convertor) if you're going to use it frequently, and hopefully you won't need to!

Useful links
Knoppix
Secure Knoppix on CD-ROM for Disaster Recovery
System recovery with Knoppix

 

Thanks for the advice on Knoppix, I downloaded it at work and can see everything on the computer but it isn't recognizing the external hard drive. I think this is my lack of experience with linux so I'm going to try to figure it out today.