Windows 7/XP Dual boot problem

Wardyp · 31 Dec 2011 at 00:23

Hi all

I've just got a dell Vostro laptop to replace an older machine, it came with Win7 Pro 64bit on. Some of the programs I need to use on it wont work on Win7 or in XP mode, so i decided to install XP pro with a dual boot.

After I got everything installed I get the following error message when I try Win7;

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe.

I've checked to make sure the file is there but I'm not sure if the file is corrupt as I don't think the laptop came with a Win7 DVD, Is there another reason why this message would be displayed other than the file in question?

linktoinsanity · 31 Dec 2011 at 14:55

You need to find a Win 7 disc and reinstall it again. This is the reason why you should always install the newer version after the older version of Windows.

Grenache · 31 Dec 2011 at 16:59

Before you do, try booting fom the Win 7 DVD, go into the repair option and choose the command prompt. You can use the bootrec command to rebuild the boot info. I can't remember offhand exactly which commands, but it will be one of these:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

robinbredin · 31 Dec 2011 at 17:46

Grenache
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

+1