I was on my PC and tried to launch a java application and got an java machine error and my PC ground to a halt. It was so slow I couldn't even shut it down cleanly and had to restart. On the restart I got the message that <Windows Root>\System32\ntoskrnl.exe was corrupt or missing and the boot up stopped. I tried using the installed recovery and it told me I didn't have a valid OS loaded.

Can anyone help me?

I have that file on my laptop but I have no idea how I would get it onto my PC. Is it an easy fix or am I going to have trouble with this?

Thanks in advance.

hi,
welcome to DAL, if your pc wont boot at all i would suggest a repair install if you havnt already tried it: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

As you mention installed recovery I assume this is an OEM (preinstalled) version of XP?

If so what is the make and model of the computer? Do you have any disks or is the recovery all on the hard drive?

Have you tried to boot into Safe Mode? (F8 after BIOS POST before Windows)


You can also create the 6 floppy boot disks to enter the Recovery Console:

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks


From the Recovery Console:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307654

To try to fix the boot:

Assuming that your XP is on C: then:

Type:

FIXMBR C:

then enter. After that completes type:

FIXBOOT C:

then enter. After that completes type:

BOOTCFG /rebuild

then enter. After that completes type:

EXIT

then reboot.

If in the process you are asked to run chkdsk say YES.

Also after the BOOTCFG /rebuild you will be prompted to:

C:\Windows
1. Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
2. Enter Load Identifier: (Custom description for an operating system loading from the Boot menu)
3. Enter Operating System Load Options: (that is: /fastdetect)

Reply:
1. Yes
2. XP
3. /fastdetect