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987gene
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 3
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I borrowed a copy of windows xp pro in order to fix a missing file (Ntoskrnl.exe). I must have done something wrong and now I have what seems to be a new copy of xp-pro and a startup screen asking for a key number. I do not have the number. Can I get back to my original problem and perhaps start again?. 
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3477
Loc: London, England
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Quote:
I have what seems to be a new copy of xp-pro and a startup screen asking for a key number.
Do you mean you are asked for a product key or simply a single-digit number representing which operating system to boot from?
Did you fully install a second copy, i.e. were you asked for a 25 character code, name, region and language details and it took about 30 minutes to install?
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987gene
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 3
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startup began to load indicating it would take 39 min to complete
after 3 min I selected a language as requested; at the next window I was asked to enter the 25 character code. It was at this time that I realized that something had gone wrong.
When I turn on the computer windows goes directly to start up and eventually I end up at the same point.
Thanks
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bobnemesis
regular
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 365
Loc: North Wales
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It would appear that you have done a full re install so you now need the product key to continue. (The 25 character code).
I presume that you had XP pro installed originally and hopefully you have the product key supplied with the comp.
Usually its on a sticker on your computer case. If so put in the 25 character code and it should then load XP Ok.
With doing the install as far as you have, you have now lost any data, pictures, files etc that you had stored on your computer.
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3477
Loc: London, England
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Don’t concern yourself over losing data as you haven’t. You are part way through a second (parallel) install of XP (see method 3 here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941)
You can continue and finish up with 2 versions of XP. If both versions were ‘bootable’ you would have a choice of which one to boot from but not in your case as you have a file missing/corrupt on the first install.
I think your best bet is to try to correct your original error, as follows :-
In the following commands, C: represents the hard disk and D: the CD/DVD drive, change them as necessary.
Boot the XP CD (Press any key when asked to boot from the CD otherwise the set up will continue) and you will be confronted with a choice of operating systems, choose the WinXP not the Set Up one. Now select the first repair option ‘R’ and then copy ntoskrnl.exe from the CD to your hard disk as follows :-
At the prompt, type copy D:\i386\ntoskrnl.exe C:\Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe (note the 2 spaces) and press Enter.
If you can only find ntoskrnl.ex_ on the CD then the file needs to be expanded by typing
expand D:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ C:\Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe (2 spaces) and press Enter.
When you have corrected the error, post back here for instructions to remove the aborted second install.
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987gene
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 3
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finally able to copy the file and Iam at the prompt C:\windows.
What"s next
Thanks
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3477
Loc: London, England
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Quote:
finally able to copy the file and Iam at the prompt C:\windows.
What"s next
Presumably you have copied ntoskrnl.exe which should have repaired the original version?
Now when you switch on you should be offered a choice of two operating systems. Boot the one you want to keep then go here http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=888023 print it out and follow it precisely.
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