Really strange MBR/BCD/NTOSKRNL error

[Durbs]

I seem to have a unique fault on my Windows 7 install.

Upgrading from XP
Spec: AMD Dual-core 3gig, 4 gb RAM, WD 500GB primary HDD, ATI gfx

So - downloaded and installed Windows 7 from a memory stick.

Installed apparently ok.
Re-booted - came up with the "popular" NTOSKRNL.exe missing/corrupt error.
Re-copied various files; hal.dll, ntoskrnl.exe etc as directed on various sites - no joy.
Thinking it could be a MBR fault and not being familiar with Vista/Win7 I stuck in my old XP install CD to use Fdisk.

With the XP install CD in the drive, Windows 7 boots perfectly! (Doesn't even attempt to load XP install/repair)
Take out CD - NTOSKRNL error.

Once in Win7 - everything works fine.

Looking at various other options, came acorss a couple of tips about BCD and bootrec such as:
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows
Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing required information"

Bootrec used to say the only OS was C:\Windows.old.00
Ran fixes as above - now says there are no OS installed.
Win7 repair console only finds Windows 7 OS

Am starting to go insane.

To summarise:
Recieve NTOSKRNL.exe error when booting up PC
Boots Win7 fine with WinXP install disk in drive
Bootrec finds no OS
Win7 repair finds Win7

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Which version of Win7 are you using, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate?
Is it an Upgrade version or Full Retail?

Use your Win7 installation memory stick for any repairs.

You can try these Seven Forums tutorials for OS repair.

Startup Repair

Repair Install

BCDEDIT - How to Use

Upgrade Install with Windows 7

If none of these repairs the problem, you will need to do another clean installation.

Let us know if this helps.