I have a file I changed named ntoskrnl.exe in the windows\system32 folder, it must have been a bad version of that file that I replaced it with well I made a backup before I replaced it and I also have a backup on cd from another computer with the same updates of XP of the one that will not Boot. My problem is I cannot copy the file from my disk to the c:\>WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 folder from my E: drive says access denied.. I am in XP Recovery Console I have read that these folders under the root C:\>WINDOWS\ should be accessable. I can see the file I need to replace in system32 I can also view the file I need to replace it with on my cd. This is what I do to try and copy ok from E:\> "E:\>copy ntoskrnl.exe c:\>Windows\System32 " I also tried from E:\>copy ntoskrnl.exe c:\>Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe" I am familure with the attrib command and also looked at permissions.. This is my frist time trying to copy a file to overwrite another in command.. any help would be greatly appreciated. Ben

Hi Ben - First you said you are in XP Recovery Console (RC). Did you follow MS KB 307654 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3BQ307654) procedure for installing and using the RC?

Yes, well I just learned about the (RC) for the first time during this trouble shoot.. I basically started (RC) from my Windows XP OEM disk.. from boot cause my system will not boot from this problem in normal OS mode or Safe Mode at all.. so my only choice was to see what I could do besides what everything thinks which is Reformat. Reformat is a no no for me, not with this computer so I hit R for repair.. or recovery which ever it stands for when the xp cd finally boots up which takes you to the command prompt.. so hit R so yea.. I loaded (RC) right.. I was using it to look at my files and access my cd drive.. I have two cd drives.. the xp disk in one then the disk with my file I need to copy to over write the bad ntoskrnl.exe O by the way I found out the ntoskrnl.exe that is causing my computer not to boot is version 5.1.2600.0 and the ntoskrnl.exe that is my back up is version 5.1.2600.1151 and the page here explains the problem http://www.leelarson.net/ntoshelp.htm So basically I am at the problem of Access denied to copy a file from my cd rom drive letter E:\> which I can access and view so it works in (RC) .... to the c:\>Windows\System32 folder to replace the bad version with my back up version of ntoskrnl.exe... http://www.petri.co.il/recovery_console_access_other_partitions.htm tells my what I can access and can't in (Recovery Console) so I got alot of info but still getting access denied.. let me go back and work somemore on it.. Thanks for the reply Xpuser.. I would appreciate any help you can provide.. Ben

According to MS KB 307654. the correct way to get into RC to do repair work is from the boot menu, and not the CD itself. To get into the boot menu, you need to restart your PC and hit F8 key. Did you try that?

Yea I am definately using the Recovery Console I login and everything.. In my case I am using it from Boot use Boot from the XP install disk... which is one way according to the link you sent me.. I got the files fixed by the way. I went back in and tried typing copy again.. and did this from E:\>copy e:\ntoskrnl.exe c:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe Asked if I wanted to overwrite I put y for yes and hit enter and the original file was put back in.. so now I am pased that but problem is computer will not boot in safe mode or normal.. I turn it on and it goes through the BIOS operations then attempts to load the OS it says what you want to do Normal mode or the three safe modes Safe mode normal, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt.. I choose normal didn't do anything else stops and you have to restart by pressing the reset button on the computer, I choose Safe mode normal and it shows what it is loading and it goes through simular lines of commands all the lines are the same that are listed except for the file it loads at the end of the line the last line it tries to load when goin into safe mode that it shows before it stops responding is " multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows\System32\Drivers\agp440.sys Agp440.sys being the last file it loads before not loading anymore lines.. and there are various lines of that "mulit" string that corresponds to system32 files it loads on its way to try and start in safe mode.. I am not sure if that means anything.. So thats where I am at.. It would help if I said I have done nothing to my system except change that ntoskrnl.exe which is the windows XP loading flash screen, I changed it back to original I looked it is changed and the file size is the original size now.. and I changed the logonui.exe in the system32 which is the xp logon screen where you click which user you are and enter your password if you have one. both of which I was able to finally change back to orinal through (Repair Console) Basically last night i was online with my friend and I installed Windowblinds which lets you change your XP appreance.. and then he showed me some new flash screens and logon screens you can manually install by backing up your system32 files of the logonui.exe and ntoskrnl.exe and then installing the newones over the old.. which I have reset now back to normal.. so there is nothing else i have done to mess the system up.. I am puzzeled why it won't boot up now.. :( Poor Alienware system.. yea its a month old.. first drastic problem.. I shouldn't have broke my opinion that changing stuff like system32 files is not good to do when everything works fine..but I wanted those unique screens.. well let me work on this somemore.. any info will be appreciated thx XpUser.............Ben

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324764 talks about the agp440.sys file says its a service.. also guys talkes about his haning on that file at this link http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=132566 I am gonna try lookin into this.. but It don't make sense for this to be messed up unless a file got corrumpted during this other problem.. hmm