file is missing or corrupt:C:\Winnt\System32\Ntoskrnl.exe

[joematracia]

Help!!!

"Windows could not start because the below file is missing or corrupt:C:\Winnt\System32\Ntoskrnl.exe"

 on Pavilion a1410n 

I continue to get this msg even after reinstalling the OS (XP) - it seems to pick up the keyboard but then it doesnt work.

I can get into some of the boot up menus but the keyboard then appears to lock up and I cant use any of the arrows to navigate.

Maybe bad MB?

[Big_Dave]

Boot into the bios (setup) and run some diagnostics. 

Try this procedure:

Unplug the PC and open it up. Clean out all the dust. Carefully remove and replace all the cables going to the motherboard one at a time. Do the same for the memory dimms and the video and sound cards if you have any. Plug your PC back in a give it a go.

[joematracia]

Thanks - did it - same.

The keyboard will light up on boot up - with a Windows CD in it will come up to 'press any key...' but the keyboard doesnt work then.

Same with gettting into bootup options - I can hit ESC it will get me to a screen (bootup sequence, etc) but once there, nothing - keyboard is non functional. I can unplug it and replug and again it blinks, but then no functionality. I've tried 2 PS2 keyboards and a few USB - same with all...

[Big_Dave]

Duplicate post . Sorry

[joematracia]

no prob - thanks

[Big_Dave]

Try this procedure:

Trouble Shooting Power Supply Issues.

When you try to boot up, unplug everything except the keyboard, monitor and mouse.

[joematracia]

It's gotta be something in the bootup or that happens at bootup - everything is fine except the keyboard freezes up - then I get the bad kernal file msg.

I got it to start by copying a boot.ini file and a ntoskrnl.exe from another XP machine. It booted OK.

I then was looking at the msconfig files and saw some seemingly odd ones  - a PS@ and an HP kbd? Going to try to get back in and disable those - any ideas if these are necessary? 

[Big_Dave]

Disconnect all external devices during boot up except the mouse, keyboard and monitor.

[joematracia]

Thats all thats plugged in all the time - not helping

Ok let me try to explain again...

Hit the start  - machine powers up - keyboard lights up - at this point I can hit ESC or F1 and it will come up to those menus - however after the menu comes up, THE KEYBOARD IS INOPERABLE AT THAT POINT - IT'S FROZEN.

If I let it boot thru, it will come up to choose an operating system (XP) - again KEYBOARD IS FROZEN so I cant choose and it then displays the missing or corrupt file ntoskrnl.exe

Now there's some info that this error can be related toa keyboard issue (DUH!) but I cant find a solution.

I popped the CMOS battery out and it booted into XP once. At that point I disabled the startup item hpkb something or other - rebooted - back to the same keyboard frozen issue....

WTF??

[QuarkCharm]

Hi, Looking on the web it appear that Ntos krnl.exe is a Windows NT Kernel, used to load many of the processes required to run windows.  Unfortunatly many of the solutions appear to assume you have a working keyboard, i.e. put disk in re-boot selected repair etc.. or even copying files from the windows disk onto the HDD, again all this is a bit difficult without a keyboard.  To be honest the only thing I can think off it to buy a cheap drive, and re-install windows on that, once it is done you can then boot off the smaller drive and copy the relevant files over to the defunct one [there are many sites which identify which files you need to copy, generally there appear to be about 10 or so dll's].  This appears to be a real pain.  but this method at least will enable you to copy files from corrupted disk [if nothing else].  Others may have some idea but I'm somewhat stumped.