Error message when attempting to start computer

Hello all!

My daughter called me this morning in hopes that I could help her with her computer (she knows I frequent this wonderful BBS and probably figured I would be able to help find an answer to her problem) cuz she knows that I'm not all that computer savvy!

Here is the error message that she received when she attempted to start/boot up her computer:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

>Windows Root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

Please reinstall copy of the above file "

(I'm not sure if I have the exact partitions in the correct form? i.e / or \) But that was the wording of the message.

She also tried to boot into safe mode, but the same error message appeared. She is using Windows XP Home SP2 and does have the original XP disk. I'm hoping that she doesn't need a complete reinstall.....she was actually just about to save/burn alot of her pictures, documents etc. today when she encounted this error.

Is there anything that I can explain for her to try? (Keep in mind she's not much more computer literate than I am, so any explanations will probably have to be in the "step-by-step" annotation!)

Thanks for any suggestions you may offer!

Regards,
Vicki

 

Try pressing F8 on startup and choosing Last Known Good Configuration

mickzer.

 

Thank you for replying so quickly! I do have a few more questions before I proceed to send this info to my daughter (too bad she lives 3 hours from me or I'd just go there myself to assist her!)

In the last step listed Pete, it says to type exit and reboot the computer. Should the disk be left in or taken out before it reboots?

Also how does one know what the boot order is? (I'm not sure how to access the BIOS thing?) Although I do believe the boot order is set up the way it's shown. My brother-in-law built this computer for her and that's how he normally sets them up. I'd call him and ask for sure, but he's at work right now.

Thanks again for your assistance!

 

another error message

Thanks again for the suggestions on how to repair that error message.


My daughter finally had time tonight to try the repair steps you had given (I forwarded them to her). After "repairing" the original error message she called to inform me that she is now receiving a different error message:

(something on the order) of "\windows root>\windows system32\hal.dll" being missing or corrupt. (computer never booted to normal, just went directly to this error message).

Any suggestions on how to fix this one? I tried doing a google search, but frankly, all the info I receive there is above my computer comprehension skills! (One of the reasons I appreciate all the help I receive here....it's written for a beginner such as myself to understand!)

Thanks again,
Vicki

 

another question

Thanks for that link, Pete!

I've read through the article and have some (probably dumb) questions. She has the original XP disk, will this suffice for making that repair? Reading through the article had me a little confused when they were referring to a "start up CD" and the best way was to use a "slipstreamed" set up CD.

Is she does this repair, will this still keep all of her files (i.e pictures, documents, etc.) intact?

Don't want to send her any info until I somewhat understand what will be happening, so if she has any questions, I'm hoping to be able to answer them for her!

Regards,
Vicki