Error Loading Kernel. You Must Reinstall Windows

ID: Q146419

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows, you may receive the following error message:

Error Loading Kernel. You must reinstall Windows.
After you receive this error message, Windows quits.


CAUSE

NOTE: This Knowledge Base Article, while itself factual, has a Y2k hoax circulating in e-mail. Please see the following Microsoft Web site for more information:

http://www.microsoft.com/y2k/hoax/y2khoax.htm
This error can occur if the Kernel32.dll file is missing or damaged.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this situation, extract a new copy of the Kernel32.dll file from your original Windows disks or CD-ROM. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Restart your computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press the F8 key, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu. If you are using Windows 98, restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key while your computer restarts until you see the Windows 98 Startup menu, and then choose Command Prompt Only.


  2. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each line:

    cd\windows\system
    ren kernel32.dll kernel32.xxx


  3. Extract a new copy of the Kernel32.dll file from your original Windows disks or CD-ROM to the Windows\System folder. For information about using the Extract tool, type extract at the command prompt, or see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    ARTICLE-ID: Q129605
    TITLE : How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files


  4. Restart your computer.



MORE INFORMATION

NOTE: This article is cited in a recent hoax regarding a problem with Windows 95/Windows 98 functioning properly on and after December 31, 1999. The problem discussed in this article is not year 2000 (Y2K) related, and Microsoft is unaware of any date-related problems in Kernel32.dll. For more information about how Microsoft products are affected by year 2000 (Y2K) issues, please see the following Microsoft World Wide Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/year2000/

Additional query words: corrupt

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg win95
Version : WINDOWS:95
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: January 3, 2000
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