ntoskrnl.exe missing

[joejoe321]

heyy i tried to install windows 7 on a friends computer for them, but when the computer turns on it comes up with a message saying:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>/system32/ntoskrnl.exe
please re install a copy of the file above"

I have no idea whats wrong.

 

[Clinkz]

Have a look at this solution, ntoskrnl.exe is missing or corrupt it may help solve the problem you are having.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello joejoe321, welcome to Seven Forums!



The only times I've seen that error personally has been in conjunction with XP, did you try and install Windows 7 from the XP desktop or to an Extended partition; if the PC is still bootable, please post a maximized snip of Windows disk management.

   Note

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a maximized snip of that.

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[joejoe321]

It wont boot. It makes it to the screen with the error, and then sits there.
Yes, it was on XP before

The solution that Clinkz linked to seems very complicated. I am not to sure about using command prompt :/

Ps thanks guys

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again Joe.


If y'all are wanting to do away with XP and get a clean install of Windows 7 have a look through the information presented below; it would be best to do a complete wipe of the PC Hard Disk Drive and then start the installation process again, have a look at Step One of the Optimize tutorial below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, then boot the Windows 7 installation media to use Step One of this tutorial at the first link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

:info: Whether you use diskpart to run either the clean all command to completely wipe a HDD / SSD or just the clean command to remove the format configuration data and don't use diskpart to create at least a single partition to do the installation to, letting the Windows installer do the format you will end up with the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition, if you want to make your own decision whether this partition is added, study these two (2) options below.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version