Err Msg: Windows NT Could Not Start...(Missing Ntoskrnl.exe)

 Last reviewed: October 2, 1997
Article ID: Q103673
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to boot Windows NT on a system with IBM OS/2 version 2.x, the following error message appears: 

   Windows NT could not start because the following file is missing or
   corrupt: <winnt root>\System32\ Ntoskrnl.exe.

CAUSE

OS/2 Boot Manager creates another primary hard disk partition that is enumerated before any extended partitions.

RESOLUTION

Edit your Boot.ini file and change the partition information by performing the following steps:

  1. Remove the Read Only and System File attributes from the Boot.ini file by typing the following command at an MS-DOS or OS/2 command line: 

          Attrib -S -R C:\Boot.ini

  2. Edit the Boot.ini file and change the partition number for Windows NT. In most cases, you need to increase the partition number by one. A typical Windows NT line in the Boot.ini file looks similar to the following: 

          multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(x)\<ntdir>="Windows NT

             Workstation Version 4.00"

   where x is the partition number and <ntdir> is the name of the
   folder into which Windows NT is installed.

   For additional information on the Boot.ini file, please see the
   following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

      ARTICLE-ID: Q102873
      TITLE     : BOOT.INI and ARC Path Naming Conventions and Usage

    

	    
	

	















	






Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords          : ntsetup NTSrvWkst kbsetup

Version           : WinNT:3.1,3.5,3.51,4.0

Platform          : winnt








THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO
EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.






	
	Last reviewed:  October 2, 1997
	

	© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.