DOCUMENT:Q176968 09-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Error Message: A Kernel File Is Missing from the Disk PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbsetupkbbuglist kbfixlist ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to boot a Windows NT-based computer with a Windows NT File System (NTFS) system partition, your computer may hang after the Power On Self Test (POST), and you may receive the following error message: A kernel file is missing from the disk. Insert a system disk and restart the system. NOTE: This article only applies to Intel-based computers with an NTFS primary bootable partition. CAUSE ===== This issue can occur if the NTFS disk structure data contained in the Master File Table (MFT) is damaged or fragmented, preventing the Windows NT boot loader (Ntldr) from being located or read. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this issue, follow these steps: 1. Using the MS-DOS-based Fdisk utility, verify the system partition is the active partition. For information about how to do so, consult the documentation included with MS-DOS. If this does not resolve the issue, continue with step 2. 2. Attempt to repair the Ntldr file. For information about how to do so, please see the following article Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q155892 TITLE : Windows NT Boot Problem: Kernel File Is Missing From the Disk If this does not resolve the issue, continue with step 3. 3. Use an anti-virus program to check for a boot sector virus. For information about how to do so, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q122221 TITLE : How to Protect Boot Sector from Viruses in Windows NT If this does not resolve the issue, continue with step 4. 4. You may be able to access the system partition using a Windows NT boot disk. If you can access the system partition, you can create a backup of essential data files and reinstall Windows NT. For information about how to create a Windows NT boot disk, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q119467 TITLE : Creating a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition. NOTE: If you cannot access the system partition using a Windows NT boot disk, the NTFS MFT may be damaged, and the NTFS partition may need to be reformatted. MORE INFORMATION ================ For additional information about troubleshooting damaged NTFS partitions, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q155053 TITLE : Black Screen on Boot ARTICLE-ID: Q121517 TITLE : How to Recover From a Corrupt NTFS Boot Sector ARTICLE-ID: Q153973 TITLE : Recovering NTFS boot sector on NTFS partitions For more information on the MFT and NTFS partition requirements, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q114841 TITLE : Windows NT Boot Process and Hard Disk Constraints ARTICLE-ID: Q100108 TITLE : Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS File Systems Additional query words: boot ntfs ntldr hang ntboot fragment MFT bootsector ====================================================================== Keywords : kbsetup kbbuglist kbfixlist Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search Version : winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.