COMPUTER HELP!!!

[IZ]

My Sony Vaio won't start up!!   

This is the message I get:


Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
Please re-install a copy of the the above file


ARGH!!  I have a lot of stuff on that computer!

[Grampa]

nail in the hard drive?

[ducpainter]

nail in the hard drive?

ouch....

[Jobu]

My Sony Vaio won't start up!!   

This is the message I get:


Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
Please re-install a copy of the the above file


ARGH!!  I have a lot of stuff on that computer!

Shit.  I had a couple computers with a similar problem.  There is a fix.

make the beast with two backs, it was a little involved.  You have XP on the machine?

Oh yea, I almost forgot.  The requisite answer to a computer question:  Get a mac.

Try this:  http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic74955.html

This is very similar to what I did on the old machines I had and it worked.

[c_rex]

you just need a fresh copy of the file and put it in the folder where it lives.  did they give you a 'recovery' disk?  you may be able to just put that in and walk through the repair process.  this is why I build my own.  proprietary crap can be hard to get through when you need to fix something. 

hee hee.. forgot you're 'local'... if you need to borrow a WinXP disk I have about 6 of em around here somewhere.

[prudolph]

well if you have an extra computer, go to radioshack or some other electronics store.Most likely you have a IDE hard drive, pick urself up an external hdd case for a laptop hard drive. (like 10 bucks) Take out ur hdd from the laptop put it into the case u will be able to plug it into another computer via usb just like a jump drive. then you can access it also like a jump drive and copy important stuff to another comp.

Side note. you should wipe out ur hdd and put reinstall about once a year. (windows blows but o well its the truth)

If you have any problems or need a walkthrough on reinstalling pm me. Im also a Computer science major for credibility

[GLantern]

Call sony and give them your model # etc they will send you recovery discs specifically for your comp.  run those and there should be a repair option.  Just to be safe though do what drenaline said first by backing up your HDD.

[Gator]

If you still have your windows disk you can boot up off the disk.

   1.  Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Note: If you have a recovery CD or a restore CD and not a Microsoft Windows XP CD it is likely the below steps will not resolve your issue.
   2. Reboot the computer, as the computer is starting you should see a message to press any key to boot from the CD. When you see this message press any key.
   3. In the Microsoft Windows XP setup menu press the R key to enter the recovery console.
   4. Select the operating system you wish to fix, and then enter the administrator password.
   5. Type expand d:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ c:\windows\system32
   6. You will then be prompted if you wish to overwrite the file type Y and press enter to overwrite the file.
   7. Type exit to reboot the computer.

[cyrus buelton]

+1 on buying the box to slide your hard drive in to.


I had to do that a few years ago, luckily all of my files were still valid.

Buying an external hard drive is a good investment to make a backup of your files; also, storing your files on a DVD/CD is a great way for irreplaceable files (i.e. pictures, documents, etc)

[IZ]

Thanks guys!

I appreciate the help!!
 
wt: wt: wt: