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I think oldman is right. The only other possibility I see is to remvove the drive, install it as a data drive in a different computer, and copy the file to it. But I don’t know if this would work and there is a chance of infecting the other pc …
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If they don’t pricegrabber doesn’t have bad prices for xp discs. It depends on what you want.(although they’re $100 discs just take really good care of them.)
xp pro
http://software.pricegrabber.com/windows-family-os/m/4197922/search=windows%20xp/qlty=o
xp home edition
http://software.pricegrabber.com/windows-family-os/m/477483/search=windows%20xp/qlty=o
Just make sure you have a good case for it too because they’re oems which means they come in a bubled sleeve with the cd key on a sticker stuck to the sleeve.
Stick with avast too it’s the best antivirus i’ve seen(I’ve tried both norton and makafee(or however you spell it))Avast is the only one out of the three that stick out(in a good way) and it’s free for non-commercial use.
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Thanks,
I will either buy a copy or find a copy somehow. And your right about Avast. It is an excellent prouduct (unless a dopey owner accidently downloads a bagle trojan that kills it) :-\
A bit of good news. An uncorrupted backup copy of the file should be still be on your computer. This file would be compatible with your service pack and patches and would also be the file restored through the recovery councol.
Since you don’t have an xp disk to access the concol there are couple of other ways this file might be restored. As mauserme suggested slaving the hard drive and restoring the file. But I share his concern about the possibily of spreading the infection. However the risk may be minimal if done from the command promt.
Another way would be be make a bootable cd that will allow you to view and edit a ntfs partion in dos. This would eliminate the possibility of something spreading. I haven’t found a totally free program for this yet, but did find one for a contribution of $4
http://www.bootdisk.com/ntfs.htm
In any of the three cases the comands would dos commands. I or others here can help you with the commands.
Before you try this I’d appreciate mauserme’s comments since he’s been helping you with your main problem.
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This looks very promising to me - nice find.
This should open the door to several possibilities as there might even be two copies of ntoskrnl.exe on the computer - one in the dllcache and one on i386. So a straight copy or a repair install could be possible if those copies are not infected or not also missing, and a copy from another computer might also work.
Oldman, do you feel comfortable working with BJS on this part? Its a bit out of my normal area.
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Thank you for taking the time to find it but I think I might have found someone nearby that has a copy of XP. I am going over there tonight.
If they don’t have it I will look into the bootdisc that you mentioned in your post. If I went that route, I would need some assistance as I am not that familar with DOS commands. I should know one way or the other by tonight…
Thanks again…
Good and good luck!
Keep in mind the best file for you to use is the one (actually there’s 2 copies) in backup on your hd. As mentioned it will be compatible with your sevice packs and patches.
Again good luck and please post back your results.
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If you have an XP disk now, give this a try
from: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000646.htm
Missing or corrupt ntoskrnl.exe file
If the ntoskrnl.exe file is corrupt or missing this can also generate the error. To restore this file follow the below steps.
Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Note: If you have a recovery CD or a restore CD and not a Microsoft Windows XP CD it is likely the below steps will not resolve your issue.
Reboot the computer, as the computer is starting you should see a message to press any key to boot from the CD. When you see this message press any key.
In the Microsoft Windows XP setup menu press the R key to enter the recovery console.
Select the operating system you wish to fix, and then enter the administrator password.
Type expand d:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ c:\windows\system32
You will then be prompted if you wish to overwrite the file type Y and press enter to overwrite the file.
Type exit to reboot the computer.
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Oldman,
I did not aquire a copy of XP (he just had backup files for his hard drive) so I paid $4 for the website you suggested. Which file will I burn to CD? According to what the owner of the website states, I have 24 hours to use these files and then they “will self destruct” (“mission impossible theme”)
I will burn the file (files) that you tell me and then insert them in the “sick” PC
Thanks!
It should be the last one on the page.
http://www.bootdisk.com/popfiles.htm
"NTFS Read/Write Bootdisk And Bootable CDs | Read, Write, Copy, Delete, And Edit files on NTFS drives or partitions from a DOS boot. No A: drive needed to create the bootable CD. Read ntfsboot.txt in the zippack for complete directions. "
@mauserme
sorry i missed your post. Yes. no problem.
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OK, I download this file " NTFSboot Bootable 1.44 And CDs to read/write to NTFS drives. Includes special ISO w/cdrom drivers to add your own files to."
to my desktop. I will burn it to CD. After that I might need some step by step directions. My PC is on the other side of the house so I might have to run back and forth…(I need the exercise anyway) 
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I have one question. There are 5 files in the folder…an MDOS application “Bootdisc”, a winimage self extractor file “NTSF boot”, a text document and 2 ISO files. I want to burn all of these on CD correct?
The text document should be the instructions for making the cd.
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OK thanks, I will update when done…
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Ok, I burned the files on Cd using Nero. Should I insert the CD into the “sick” computer now? ???
I also have the ntoskrnl file also that I can burn seperatley if need be.
Ok we’ll try to use the backup on the hd first. The cd is ready to go? If so, make sure that the computer is able to boot from cd (most are). It’s a bios setting. Some where on the startup screen it will tell you which key to push to enter setup. Once the compter is set to boot from cd shut the computer down and insert the cd. Turn on the computer.
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So far so good. I inserted the CD and now have the dos prompts.
Good
It looks something like this?
d:\
with a flashing cursor behind it
If so
Anything I put in() are instructions example (space) means a space (enter) means enter key.
Ok
type
c: (enter)
cd(space)windows(enter)
cd(space)driver cache(enter)
cd(space)i386(enter)
Go that far for now. you should have a line that looks like this
c>c:\windows\driver cache\i386
If you have that we’'ll continue.
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Well, I got as far as the windows prompt but when I put in the command “CD (space) driver cache” it said “access denied”
That’s strange?? Three steps away. I don’t know why you would get that message. Hang on I’ll come up with someting else shortly.
