ntoskrnl.exe corrupt,System Restore Option Not Working

herbgurl82 · 04-29-2009, 07:40 AM

I am running Windows Vista on a Gateway ML6721 Notebook. Last week, Windows automatically ran updates, (Not sure which ones, I apologize!) and since then, I have been getting an error message that reads:
The file ntoskrnl.exe is missing or corrupt
Status:OXCOOOOO98

I put in the disc that is marked Gateway recovery, ran Startup repair, and accepted the prompt to restore to an earlier time. The computer would then work fine. This happened every time I turned on my computer last week. When I shut it down, even though I would select regular Shut Down, not Install Updates and Shut Down, when rebooted, it would go right to updates, update the computer, and then the same message would display. I would fix it by running Startup repair, and accepted the prompt to restore to an earlier time.

However, this option is no longer working. I tried to do a system restore on the disc, and it fails. When I tried to do that I got an error message, saying that it failed. I cannot recall what it says right now because I am running startup repair.

Last night, I tried following the advice on this page:
http://support.gateway.com/s/Checkli...70813111.shtml, and tried to repair the ntoskrnl.exe using the command prompt in recovery. It did not work.

Now when I start my computer, all I get is a black screen. It is not a problem with the light in the screen itself because when I put in the recovery disc, it goes to that screen no problem. (A couple of times when I ran Startup recovery it said that it did not detect a problem!) I am running the Startup Repair and it is checking my disc for errors, which will take over an hour. Any advice on what I should do? I would prefer not to have to reinstall windows, as I have been very bad, and have not been backing up as regularly as I should….

herbgurl82 · 04-29-2009, 10:02 AM

The System restore error code is the following: ox80071a91.

usasma · 04-30-2009, 06:03 AM

Can you get into Safe Mode? Try rapidly tapping the F8 key just before the Windows Splash Screen shows up. If you get there, try all of the options on that screen.

If not, then try a bootable hard drive diagnostic using this procedure from my blog:

Code:

What you'll need:
- a blank CD
- a computer with an internet connection where you can download a file, install a small program, and burn a CD (doesn't have to be the computer that you'll be testing).

1. Determine the make and model of your hard drive

- In Windows XP - Go to Start...Run...and type in "devmgmt.msc" (without the quotes) and press Enter. Click on the + sign next to Disk Drives and use Google to search the information listed there)

- In Windows VISTA - Go to Start...and type in "devmgmt.msc" (without the quotes) and press Enter. Click on the + sign next to Disk Drives and use Google to search the information listed there

- From outside of Windows: Unplug the system from the wall, remove the battery (if it's a laptop) and crack the case open. Look inside to locate the hard drive and write down the make and model number (although the model number isn't required for the test, it will help you to identify what sort of drive to replace if the test says that the drive is bad).

If you're unable to see the hard drive info, follow the steps below for the Hitachi DFT. At the screen where it asks you if the list is correct, the model number of your drive will be there. Use Google to search for the model and that will let you know the manufacturer.

NOTE: It's strongly recommended that you use the test from the manufacturer of your hard drive. Most manufacturers build in tests that are only for their drives (in addition to the standard S.M.A.R.T. tests) - so using their test will give more accurate results.

2. Locate the support website of the hard drive manufacturer from the following list and download the appropriate file to your computer. FWIW - the first link for each drive usually contains more information/instructions about running the test.

Hitachi - http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT Download this image for CD's: http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/downloads/dft32_v415_b01.iso

Western Digital - http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?level1=6&lang=en Download the Diag504fCD.iso file on this page: http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=601&sid=30&lang=en

Seagate - http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools Download the Seatools for DOS ISO CD-ROM Image from this link: http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools/seatooldreg (English version here: http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/seatools/SeaToolsDOS213bEURO.ISO )

Maxtor - Seagate SeaTools has replaced the Maxtor diagnostics. Use the Seagate SeaTools links above.

Toshiba - I'm unable to locate any tools for Toshiba. I'd suggest the Hitachi DFT (Drive Fitness Test) from above.

Fujitsu - http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/computing/storage/hdd/support/utilities.html Download the DOS Diagnostic Tool Ver. 7.0 (For IDE/ATA/SATA Hard Drives from this link: http://www.fujitsu.com/downloads/COMP/fcpa/hdd/utilities/fjdt_700.zip You'll have to copy the file to a DOS boot CD and manually execute the FJDT.exe file once you've booted to DOS. If this is too difficult, use the Hitachi DFT (Drive Fitness Test) from above.

Samsung - http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/support/utilities/Support_HUTIL.html Download the Hutil 210 ISO (for CD-ROM drive).zip from here: http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/support/downloads/Hutil210_iso_for_CDROM_drive.zip You must unzip the file before you can burn (NOT copy) the ISO image to a CD.

IBM - IBM has merged with Hitachi. Use the Hitachi DFT (Drive Fitness Test) listed above.

3. If you do not have a disk burning program that's capable of burning ISO images to your CD drive, I suggest this free tool: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm Select the appropriate version by following the instructions, Install the program, then reboot your system.
FYI - an ISO burner will place files in a certain order on the disk, this is what makes the disk bootable. You CANNOT just copy the file to a CD - it won't work!

4. Insert the blank CD into the CD drive and dismiss any dialogs that may pop up. Then right click on the ISO file that you downloaded and select "Copy Image to CD" (it should be the top choice on the context (right click) menu. Follow the prompts to record the image. Remember that the slower the speed you select, the less likely it is that there will be errors in the burn process. Most disk images are small, so the process shouldn't take very long even at the slowest speed.

5. Boot from the CD to run the test. Here's a partial list of ways to access the built in boot menus of different systems. Press the appropriate key when the first screen shows up after you turn the computer on.
HP/Compaq - Esc
Dell - F12
Gateway/eMachines - F10
Acer - F12 (not always)
Toshiba - F12 (older systems will be different)
Sony - usually will boot to CD, may ask you to "Press any key to boot from CD"
When in doubt, either access the BIOS (Setup) and make the CD drive the first boot device (before the hard drive), or post in the forums for assistance.

6. Follow the prompts on the screen to run the test. In particular run the Long/Extended/Complete/Comprehensive/etc test - as the shorter tests are not completely reliable. My greatest experience is with the Hitachi DFT - and you can just press Enter until you get to the screen where it asks you to confirm the devices listed - press Y (for Yes) there.
NOTE: If you have more than one drive installed, run the test on each drive.

If you encounter any problems running the test - just post them to the forums and someone will be glad to help you out.

04-29-2009, 07:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
herbgurl82 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows Vista	ntoskrnl.exe corrupt,System Restore Option Not Working I am running Windows Vista on a Gateway ML6721 Notebook. Last week, Windows automatically ran updates, (Not sure which ones, I apologize!) and since then, I have been getting an error message that reads: The file ntoskrnl.exe is missing or corrupt Status:OXCOOOOO98 I put in the disc that is marked Gateway recovery, ran Startup repair, and accepted the prompt to restore to an earlier time. The computer would then work fine. This happened every time I turned on my computer last week. When I shut it down, even though I would select regular Shut Down, not Install Updates and Shut Down, when rebooted, it would go right to updates, update the computer, and then the same message would display. I would fix it by running Startup repair, and accepted the prompt to restore to an earlier time. However, this option is no longer working. I tried to do a system restore on the disc, and it fails. When I tried to do that I got an error message, saying that it failed. I cannot recall what it says right now because I am running startup repair. Last night, I tried following the advice on this page: http://support.gateway.com/s/Checkli...70813111.shtml, and tried to repair the ntoskrnl.exe using the command prompt in recovery. It did not work. Now when I start my computer, all I get is a black screen. It is not a problem with the light in the screen itself because when I put in the recovery disc, it goes to that screen no problem. (A couple of times when I ran Startup recovery it said that it did not detect a problem!) I am running the Startup Repair and it is checking my disc for errors, which will take over an hour. Any advice on what I should do? I would prefer not to have to reinstall windows, as I have been very bad, and have not been backing up as regularly as I should….

04-29-2009, 10:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
herbgurl82 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows Vista	Re: ntoskrnl.exe corrupt,System Restore Option Not Working The System restore error code is the following: ox80071a91.