Error message on start-up...Help!

[Slugbait]

Im using windows XP. I tried to start my computer this morning and this message came up.

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe.

Please re-install a copy of the above file."


I bought this refurbished computer about a year ago and I dont have the disks.


Thanks or your help.

[Allan]

1) Download the Recovery Console .iso and burn it to a cd using sw that burns .iso images (http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=150212)

2) Boot to the recovery console CD

3) Rename C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

4) Copy ntoskrnl.exe to C:\WINDOWS\system32 from C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache

5) Reboot