Am running windows XP on a Dell Inspiron laptop. Whenever I bootup the computer, it says

Windows could not start because the followile file is missing or corrupt
<Windows root>\system32.ntoskrnl.exe
Please re-install a copy of the above file

Where do I get the file and what do I do

Repair Installation
A Repair Install will replace the system files with the files on the XP CD used for the Repair Install. It will leave your applications and settings intact, but Windows updates will need to be reapplied.

Perform a Repair Installation (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx)

Hello,

The thing is I don't know where the original CD with the operating system is. So short of that is there anything I can do to try and get this thing working, like maybe get the file from else where. I tried to go into safe mode as well, but I still get the same error.

Alternatively, is it possible to backup the data of the disk when it is giving this error, or is that also not possible.

You really need to get back into system, simple enough but need to find XP cd

Aside from actually doing the repair, you would need to get a hold of an XP disc regardless but with this option as opposed to the repair to see if it would work, if this method would not work, a repair installation would be needed

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.



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.


I got this info from this link, there are many links for this error and all involve the repair installation with exception of above method
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000646.htm

See if you can get a hold of an XP install disk, this is a MS system file so it will not be Dell specific, see if you can maybe borrow one from someone - if you happen to be able to get hold of one, definitely make a copy for yourself

Seahwk:

I have a winXP disk from another computer. Can I do a repair install using that disk?

What I tried earlier is booting from the winXP CD, press enter and not choose the R option ofr recovery console, and then on the next screen try to choose R to repair. But there was no R option.

Ill try the recovery option, question is will it delete my data

Also , is it okay to connect two laptops via USB or ethernet cable to transfer data from one to another?

As what is in quotes above, you should not need to do the recovery process, step 4 is if you have a pw set and then 5-7 just to get to the file you need - hopefully it will be that easy


What I tried earlier is booting from the winXP CD, press enter and not choose the R option ofr recovery console, and then on the next screen try to choose R to repair. But there was no R option.

Above states to press R to enter recovery console

You need to get to the steps 5-7 to get to that file that you need
-----

If you actually go through the repair installation without the Dell XP, there may be some files that are replaced that would be needed by Dell's installation

No data is lost with repair installation

A Repair Install will replace the system files with the files on the XP CD used for the Repair Install. It will leave your applications and settings intact, but Windows updates will need to be reapplied.

Once your system is up and running again, you could connect the 2 PC's together using a cross-over ethernet cable to transfer files - providing you have sharing allowed and setup on each laptop

With a regular ethernet cable, you would need some sort or router or switch

------------------------
So with all this, just try to do the above steps 1-7 and hopefully that will get back into system

As what is in quotes above, you should not need to do the recovery process, step 4 is if you have a pw set and then 5-7 just to get to the file you need - hopefully it will be that easy


What I tried earlier is booting from the winXP CD, press enter and not choose the R option ofr recovery console, and then on the next screen try to choose R to repair. But there was no R option.

Above states to press R to enter recovery console

You need to get to the steps 5-7 to get to that file that you need
-----

If you actually go through the repair installation without the Dell XP, there may be some files that are replaced that would be needed by Dell's installation

No data is lost with repair installation

A Repair Install will replace the system files with the files on the XP CD used for the Repair Install. It will leave your applications and settings intact, but Windows updates will need to be reapplied.

Once your system is up and running again, you could connect the 2 PC's together using a cross-over ethernet cable to transfer files - providing you have sharing allowed and setup on each laptop

With a regular ethernet cable, you would need some sort or router or switch

------------------------
So with all this, just try to do the above steps 1-7 and hopefully that will get back into system

Seahwk:

I followed the steps, did everything but I still have the error. What else can I do

At this point, a repair installation would do it

Do your laptops have floppy drives?

If not the only option would be to do a repair installation

Doing a repair is not going to make your laptop non useable

As what it does it what it states

will replace the system files with the files on the XP CD
Will leave your applications and settings intact

I do not know how Dell integrated itself with the OS

From where I will get ths file

This error can result from a corrupted driver (http://www.driverexplorer.com/scan) of problems...