DOCUMENT:Q155892 20-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Windows NT Boot Problem: Kernel File Is Missing From the Disk PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you start Microsoft Windows NT you receive the following error message: A kernel file is missing from the disk. Insert a system disk and restart the system. The message is displayed before the boot options from the Boot.ini are shown. CAUSE ===== The file NTLDR is missing from the active system partition or the allocation for \Ntldr's $DATA attribute has become so fragmented that the whole $DATA attribute is not in the base FRS (file record segment). MORE INFORMATION ================ After the Power On Self Test (POST), the Master Boot Record (MBR) reads the partition table and jumps to the boot record. The code that generates the error is in the boot record. The error is generated if the NTLDR file cannot be found or if the $DATA attribute cannot be found. Windows NT File System (NTFS) views each file or directory as a set of file attributes. Elements such as the file's name, its security information, and its data are all file attributes. Each attribute is identified by an attribute type code and, optionally, an attribute name. WORKAROUND ========== When you experience this problem you can either: 1. Boot Microsoft Windows NT from floppy (using the NTLDR on the floppy disk). 2. Move the NTLDR file to a different physical location on disk (ren ntldr ntldr.sav, copy ntldr.sav ntldr). 3. Use an NTFS defrag utility to unfragment NTLDR. 4. Ensure the correct partition is marked active using either NT Disk administrator, or Boot to DOS and use FDISK.EXE to ensure the correct system partition is marked for boot. And, - Obtain the Bcupdate.exe program, which updates the boot code of the NTFS bootsector. For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, lease go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS - Once you have obtained the software update create a Windows NT startup floppy disk and boot Windows NT using this disk. For additional information about how to create this disk, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q119467 Creating a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition - Extract Bcupdate.exe and NTLDR from the software update. - Run Bcupdate.exe C: /F. - Other command line parameters supported: /q - Quiet mode (must include /y). /y - Don't confirm. /f - Force update of in use volume. /t - Only test for old boot code. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows NT 3.5x and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. Additional query words: bootsect.com boot ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS351search Version : :3.51,4.0 Issue type : kbbug ============================================================================= 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 2002.