Error Message: A Kernel File Is Missing from the Disk (176968)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q176968

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: 155892
    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: 122221
    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: 119467
    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: 155053
TITLE : Black Screen on Boot

ARTICLE-ID: 121517
TITLE : How to Recover From a Corrupt NTFS Boot Sector

ARTICLE-ID: 153973
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: 114841
TITLE : Windows NT Boot Process and Hard Disk Constraints

ARTICLE-ID: 100108
TITLE : Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS File Systems
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/14/2003
Keywords:kbsetup KB176968
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