Hello,

First time poster here, hopefully I'm giving you enough info. to help.

System info: HP Pavilion 750n
Windows XP

Just had my power come back on after hurricane Ike and was blessed with the following message on my computer (it was turned off by the power outage before I had a chance to SHUT it down)
These messages come up and actually alternate between the two messages if I push escape or F2 (or any F KEY) I cannot get past it. I have tried restarting my computer and I have tried restarting it with the system recovery disc that came with the computer.

Here's the messages:

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

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

Any ideas? I'd at least like to recover the info. I have on the hard drive.

Thanks!

Cindy

Try here: http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xpThat article seems like it will be helpful if I can figure out how to get to a c: prompt. Suggestions? I've tried hitting F2 as it loads. I haven't seen the message that says:

“Press F2 to initiate the Automated System Recovery (ASR) tool.” When I try to boot up with the system recovery CD.

It just goes back to one of the two error messages.

Thanks for any advice!

CindyYou can't use recovery CD. You need Windows XP CD.Ahhh.... There lies the problem. They weren't nice enough to include that with the computer. I'll have to see what I can do to obtain one.

Thanks,

CindyYou can borrow one, but it must have very same service pack, as your installation.Probably a stupid question, but, how do I know what service pack I need?

The system recover discs are a set of 10, they are labeled Windows XP Home Edition, System Recovery, hp pavilion home PC. It says on the CD's "This CD contains a backup copy of all software originally installed and can ONLY be used with an HP home PC. Refer to the printed instructions provided with your Recovery CDs" (Instructions were about as clear as mud and didn't work)Yeah, they're recovery CDs, and they won't work in this case.

If you KEPT your Windows updated, I'd assume, you have at least Service Pack 2 installed.If you don't have any important data on your computer, you CAN use recovery CDs, but this process will erase everything, and return the computer to day1 state.Oh no, that's what I'm trying to avoid. I haven't done a complete backup for 3 months (shame on me) and I have TONS of photos on there.

I just have to figure out now where to get a program to borrow. I'm wondering if I can obtain one from microsoft, since I did purchase the program with the computer initially....Surely, you can buy Windows CD (Amazon, for instance).
Sooner, or later, everyone needs it, and it looks like it's your time now.That's what I'm going to do. It looks like the most recent service pack is 3, and since I just updated my computer last week it makes sense that's what I'd need. Sound right? If I buy with service pack 3 and I'm only at service pack 2 will it still work?Yes.