Windows NT 4.0 Does Not Start, Error Message About Ntoskrnl.exe

ID: Q246507

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to restart a computer running Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 after an abnormal shutdown (for example, a crash), the computer may not start and you may receive the following error message:

Windows NT could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<winnt root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe


CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the Ntoskrnl.exe file is missing or corrupted, or when the Advanced RISC Computer (ARC) path in Boot.ini points to the wrong boot partition as the location of the Windows NT 4.0 system files.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, replace the Ntoskrnl.exe file. Follow one of these sets of steps, depending on whether you do or do not have an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) available.

If you do have an ERD, use the emergency repair process to replace the Ntoskrnl.exe file:

  1. Start the computer with Windows NT 4.0 Setup Disk 1 in the disk drive.


  2. At the prompt, insert Windows NT 4.0 Setup Disk 2 into the disk drive.


  3. When the Windows NT Setup screen appears, press R to begin the repair process.


  4. Use the arrow keys to select Verify Windows NT system files from the repair options, and then press ENTER.


  5. Use the arrow keys to select the other options, and then press ENTER to clear those selections.


  6. Select Continue, press ENTER, and then follow the on-screen instructions to detect mass storage devices.


  7. At the prompt, insert the ERD into the disk drive.


  8. At the prompt, insert the appropriate Windows NT 4.0 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.


  9. When the repair process is complete, remove the ERD from the disk drive, and then press ENTER to restart the computer.


If you do not have an ERD, replace the Ntoskrnl.exe file by making a new copy of it:

  1. If Windows NT 4.0 is installed on a file allocation table (FAT) partition:


    1. Start the computer in MS-DOS.


    2. Open the Boot.ini file in a text editor, and verify that the ARC path to the boot partition is correct in the Boot.ini file.


    3. Copy the Ntoskrnl.exe file from the original installation disks or CD-ROM to the %SystemRoot%\System32\ folder.


    4. Restart the computer.


  2. If Windows NT 4.0 is installed on an NTFS file system partition:


    1. Install a parallel copy of Windows NT 4.0.


    2. Verify that the ARC path to the boot partition is correct in the Boot.ini file.


    3. Copy the Ntoskrnl.exe file from the parallel installation to the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder of the original installation.


    4. Start the computer in the original installation.



MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on using an ERD to repair Windows NT 4.0, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q103280 Using an Emergency Repair Disk Created by Windows NT
Q129037 Windows NT 3.5x and 4.0 Emergency Repair Process Screens

Additional query words: improper shutdown

Keywords :
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: November 18, 1999
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