I get this message when I boot up. I think that I have a virus. I used the boot disk and I got a disk i/o error. Can I get a copy of the file ntoskrnl.exe on a floppy and use that during boot? or is there a specific CTRL or ALT key combination that I can use on boot to get this file loaded on? Thanks for you help.

You can try the Windows 2000 Recovery console and copy the file that way. If you have a bootable version just boot from the CD and select Repair then goto recovery console. But I would be suspicious of how this file got deleted or corrupted in the first place. If ya not fussy on the data on the HDD I would do a clean format and see how ya go. As there is no antivirus software out there that can scan NTFS partitions in pure DOS based mode. Make sure if you replace that file manually you replace it with the version of the service pack you have installed. There is no use copying the original file over to a Windows 2000 SP2 installation and vice versa. If it's a fat32 partition you have alot more room to move when it comes to recovery. You can do alot more recovery in fat 32 then in NTFS. If it's NTFS you will have to re-create the partition in FAT mode, or just boot to the CD and choose to format it in NTFS type when it prompts you.

Good luck.

Thanks for the help. However I do not understand how to start Windows 2000 Recovery console. Sorry I am a win2k novice.

Thanks for the help. However I do not understand how to start Windows 2000 Recovery console. Sorry I am a win2k novice.

If you don't know about Recovery Console I guess you won't know the DOS commands aswell. I would just reformat and save your self all the headaches. Atleast that way if you suspect a virus it will get rid of it, unless it sits in your boot sector which is preety rare these days.

Simply put the bootable win2K CD the machine and turn the PC on. The machine will go through the usual setup screens so pay attention. You will get prompted what to do. There is an option for Recovery (R). Select this option. The machine will then scan the files on your machine and compare them with those on the CD. If there are any missing or corrupt it will replace them from the CD. I had the same problem once before and the Recovery CD worked fine. The best way to learn is to do it!