When I attempt to start my Windows XP Home I get a message that it can't find the <Windows>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe and it asks me to reinstall the file. When I hit enter I get a message saying press any key to start CD, yet when I do nothing happens. I've tried starting in safe mode but that didn't seem to change anything. Could someome give me a step by step solution to this problem? Thanks.

well try to boot in safe mode and the actual file may be corrupt so copy NTOSKRNL.exe off of the installation CD onto the %systemroot%/system32 directory hope this help

Thanks for your help. As I mentioned before whether I boot up regular or in startup mode, after the error message and hitting enter, I just end with a blank screen without a dos prompt or anything. I have some ideas on what I could do once I was at a dos prompt, but I'm not able to get there. Any other thoughts?

This is usually the best and easiest way to solve that problem.--Boot from the xp cd and go past the recovery console to the install menu. Select repair the existing installation. You won't lose any data except the xp updates. Unless you have a slipstream sp1 cd you will have to d/l sp1 and all subsequent updates. Be sure the firewall and A/V is active before going online as you will be susceptible to sasser and msblaster. If you don't want SP2 go to autopatcher.com and d/l SP1 and subsequent updates. Please post back within 24 hours or I will delete the post from my follow up list. Thanks.

I couldn't boot from the CD but I was able to get to an install screen. When I checked repair it brought me back to the error message. If I could get a dos prompt I could do something but can't seem to get there. Thanks. Any other ideas?

You need to go in your Bios and set your Cd-rom for First boot drive, 2 Floppy and 3 IDE When you'll boot with the cd the computer will tell you if you want to boot on the cd.. you dont have DOS with XP/2000/2003/NT version, its a prompt command, and if you want it you need to create all 6 or 7 boot disk for XP

I get this same error, but I cannot get any of my peripheral devices to work (mouse, keyboard)... so I have no way to change boot order or attempt safe mode. Any ideas?