Member Avatar for skhuggs

I have been without a computer for 3 weeks, and I still can't figure out what is wrong with it. It was completely fine one day and then the next, I turned it on and I got the error; windows/systemroot/ntoskrnl.exe file is missing or corrupt. My brother who works on computers for a living, told me that he thought the IDE controller was bad. I disabled that, and put in a new one. Now, I have no power. I can't turn it on or nothing. It is not the power supply as I just replaced that this year in May. I was able to turn it on but just kept getting that error. I tried using a boot disk from Knoppix that he gave me, and that didn't even work. I am at the library typing this so not sure when I will be able to get any responses unless I can get it up an running. The only thing next that I am thinking is either the processor, or the Motherboard. Any help anyone can give would be appreciated. I am extremely frustrated, as you can imagine, and I'm tired of not being able to use our computer.

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This situation actually contains two separate failure modes: the original "ntoskrnl.exe missing or corrupt" message (an operating-system or disk issue) and the later symptom where the machine now shows no power after you fitted a new IDE controller. Fix the no-power problem first so you can reliably test any software repairs. As suggested, work from bare-metal upward; as noted, the ntoskrnl message is an OS-level symptom but it can be caused by failing disk or controller hardware.

Start with a safe, minimal-hardware isolation routine:

  • Power off and unplug. Open the case and remove the newly-added IDE controller and any other nonessential cards.
  • Disconnect all drives and peripherals so the board has only CPU, one stick of RAM, PSU, and the motherboard speaker (if available).
  • Verify the 20/24-pin ATX and the 4-pin CPU power lead are firmly seated. Try powering by shorting the power-switch pins briefly (to rule out a bad front-panel switch).
  • If nothing powers (no LEDs or fans), test the PSU with a known-good PSU or a PSU tester; a new card can short a rail and kill output.
  • If fans spin but no POST, try a single known-good RAM stick, reseat the CPU heatsink, and reset CMOS (remove battery or use the jumper).

If you restore power and the boot error returns, use the Windows install CD / Recovery Console to run chkdsk /r and the repair commands (fixboot, fixmbr) and, if needed, copy ntoskrnl.exe from the CD's i386 folder to the system32 directory (drive letters vary in Recovery Console). Run HDD manufacturer diagnostics and memtest to check the drive and RAM before attempting a repair install.

If data is important, remove the hard drive and attach it to another PC via USB/IDE adapter to copy files before doing repairs. If the system still refuses to show any power after removing the new controller, the card or the motherboard may be shorted and a hands-on technician or replacement PSU/motherboard is the practical next step.

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Member Avatar for SnowDog

So, does this machine actually turn on and have you got a Windows or Recovery disk to hand?

Can you get into the BIOS?

Any error beeps?

Are all unnecessary peripherals uplugged? Indeed, what happens if you try booting with nothing in except the mains? Make sure you unplug the mains for a while when trying that test.

Is the boot sequence correct if the machine wouldn't boot from the Knoppix disk?

What exactly happens when you turn it on? Anything? Or nothing?

If anyone calls with this problem (or one similar) where I work the first line of attack for us is usually to get a full recovery done as soon as possible, then - if it yields a working machine - run some diags on HDD and RAM.

I'm surprised you attacked it the way you did. Disabling things on a machine which is clearly telling you the current problem at least is on the HDD (missing or corrupt file) is heading off in a different direction.

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