ntoskrnl file missing or corrupted!

Factual Questions
1

My HP PC running XP multimedia edition was trying to download and install a new version of Adobe Reader last night and the install failed. The PC started freezing and unfreezing with lots of drive activity. After about 7-8 minutes of this I forced a shut down.

After a restart I get a message that says “Windows file missing or corrupted. <windows root> \system32
toskrnl.exe. Reinstall a copy of the file”

I don’t believe I have Windows disks for this PC. I might have a recovery disk, but have not found it yet. :confused:

Here’s the root of the issue: Can I buy a Vista upgrade package and do an install from the CD? Or would I be required to have the PC up and running first? I seem to recall doing upgrades for earlier Windows versions and booting from the CDs.

I can access the setup dialog and make the CD the fist choice for boot up. Additionally, I have a copy of the missing file from a different PC, also NT, on a CD, but the CD’s not bootable and I’m not sure how I’d get it onto the PC.

2

See here: NTOSKRNL.EXE is Missing or Corrupt

might just be a faulty keyboard.

3

I saw that when I did some searching last night, but as I wasn’t even using or moving the KB I discounted that as a cause. But it’s worth trying a different KB, or at least unplugging the one I have.

As I had to do a forced shut down, I’m thinking it’s an OS issue. I’m hoping I’d be able to install Vista for the CD, but not certain it would work.

Thanks.