# ntoskrnl file missing or corrupted!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ntoskrnl-file-missing-or-corrupted/490011>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 19, 2009, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ntoskrnl-file-missing-or-corrupted/490011 "2009-03-19T12:05:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ntoskrnl-file-missing-or-corrupted/490011/1 "2009-03-19T12:05:01Z")

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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. 😕

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.

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ntoskrnl-file-missing-or-corrupted/490011/2 "2009-03-19T14:08:20Z")

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See here: [NTOSKRNL.EXE is Missing or Corrupt](http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000646.htm)

might just be a faulty keyboard.

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**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ntoskrnl-file-missing-or-corrupted/490011/3 "2009-03-19T14:21:05Z")

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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.