When I try to boot my laptop (Acer) I get black screen with text only:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows Root>\system32\ntoskral.exe.
Please re=install a copy of the above file.

http://www.lunarforums.com/forum/Smi...ult/crying.gif
:mad:

I googled ntoskral.exe and read only potential bad news.

What would you do if it were you?
How the heck do I "reinstall a copy of" this file?

Can you hear my huge sigh from where you are? :(

Rick.

First off try and get ino Safe mode and do a system restore.
If this fails then try a repair install for your XP first, may just do the trick ;)
Here's the official Micro$oft way of doing a repair install,
And Here's one with screen shots.

Basically this installs windows over the top of your current setup.
So you don't loose any information you already have.

Thanks, Ben.

I think I'm hosed. :(

I need the data so pulled the HD and tried to plug it in to another computer as an external and got a power surge. I've picked up an ac adapter and will try again later today.