WinXP Home ntoskrnl.exe missing or corrupt

[CHenderson]

Hey everyone,

I just ran across this forum while searching for help on my issue.

I found a post dealing with the problem I'm having, but my problem appears to be slightly unique. Here's the rundown:

I'm running XP Home on a computer that's dedicated to music production, so I've downloaded no service packs or anything of the such (the system isn't used to access the Internet), so the software is just as it was when it came out of the box.

I tried booting earlier today to work on some tracks, and I received the "ntoskrnl.exe is missing or corrupt. Please install a copy of the above file" error message. After looking around the net, I found that some are able to fix the problem by booting from their XP install CD, so I tried that. Here's where it gets weird...my PC won't boot from the CD drive. It's capable, and I've done it before, but it won't do it now. I get the "boot from CD...press any key to boot to CD" message, but I can press all the keys I want, and it just goes straight to the ntoskrnl.exe error screen again.

Forgive my simplistic explanation, and forgive me in advance for all the follow-up questions I'll likely ask. I'm by no means experienced with computers; I'm just a technically challenged musician who's computer tech is out of the state for the week

Thanks a lot.

Chris

Can you get into the BIOS? It almost sounds like your keyboard isn't working to get you into the XP setup.

[CHenderson]

Well then.

Spot on.

You'd think that I would've thought to check the keyboard connection when I realized my mouse had been unplugged as I lifted the case onto my desk.

You know, I always hear from my tech support friends how people will call them and ask questions that lead to painfully obvious answers. I always think, "How can people NOT check this stuff?".

Now I know

Thanks for helping me out on this "problem". Now I'm going to go slam my head in a car door

Thanks again,

Chris

Now I'm going to go slam my head in a car door

That's what we're here for.

[CHenderson]

Slam away

I got it to boot to the install/repair screen, but now I'm overheating, so I've got a new batch of problems to deal with. For the time being though, it appears I found the solution to get me through the kernel problem. My tech comes back on Thursday, so I may just have to spend the next few days sans-computer so he can help me deal with the heat problem.

Thanks again.

With the front facing you, take the left side off. That should temporarily fix your overheat problem until Thursday. If it doesn't have sides, just take the whole top off.

[CHenderson]

I'd had the side off while going through the boot-fixes earlier. It had overheated once today, so I thought that might've been part of my problem. Side off, side on...it's still hitting shutdown temperature before I can get the repair done. I'm going to keep trying stuff until my guy comes back into town, but I either way I think I can go a day and a half or so without my production comp.

Just hope I don't get any ground breaking musical ideas between now and then...heh heh.

Check to make sure your PSU (Power Supply Unit) fan is turning, along w/ any other fans. Intake/Exhaust and CPU.

[CHenderson]

Will do. My PSU isn't the best in the world, so it may well have some problems.

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks a ton.