Loading System Repair disk results in Error Code 0xc000a004 - kernel is missing or contains errors (file: \windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe)

Question

I have recently migrated from windows 7 to windows 10 and have created a System Repair Disk. Running the system repair disk to verify it loads results in receipt of the following error message: "The operating system couldn't be loaded because the kernel is missing or contains errors. File: \windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe Error code: 0xc000a004"

Research on the web finds no specific response. The computer appears to be operating normally, just unable to load the repair disk (minimizing key entry during the boot does not have any impact).

Any assistance is appreciated.

Darol

Answer 1

Hi Darol,

I'm Sumit, here to answer your query at the Microsoft Community.

Instead of a system repair disk, create an Installation media, which serves as a USB Installation media + Recovery drive(Repair your computer option) which you can use to recover your PC.

Instructions here:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create...

Hope that helps, and rely on us for any further inquiries. All the best.

Content on the above blog is written by a Windows MVP so it is safe. However, do watch out for the ads.

Answer 2

Sorry but the answer is not useful. The given solution does not have the same functioanlity as the rescue drive. I am facing the same issue and what I am looking for is to have a way of restoring my laptop to the state it has when the rescue drive was generated. Having a Windows installation media in a pendrive does not give me the functionality I need.

Thanks.

Answer 3

As it turns out creating the installation disk on a USB drive as noted by the first response from Sumit above will lead one to the windows recovery Environment where one of the selections is "System Image Recovery." I have not gone any further than the "System Image Recovery" selection but it appears to be a path to success.

As noted in the original post the recovery drive CD option will not work. I also attempted to make a bootable recovery USB drive from the Win 10 Recover Media Center and attempted a reboot to see if I could have success loading a bootable recovery USB drive. I encountered the SAME error code: 0xc000a004. So the recovery drive provided by windows 10 is also a bust.......

It just so happens I have a Win 7 recovery CD made from the same machine when I had Win 7 Pro installed. I attempted a restart with the Win 7 recovery CD with success in loading..... So I will keep my old Win 7 recovery CD for that unplanned emergency. I somewhat wished I had stayed on Win 7 Pro, but there are some good features with Win 10.

Darol

Answer 4

yahoo 0

Answer 5

Windows 10 Pro upgraded from Windows 7 Pro many years ago.  I am having the same issue after replacing my HD with an SSD in July, 2023. I created a new Windows System Repair Disk and a USB System Recovery Drive, both fail to boot with the same error:

The operating system couldn't be loaded because the kernel is missing or contains errors.File:\windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exeError code:0xc000a004

However, as DJ.1000 posted, I have older Windows repair disk and USB recovery media (both Win 10 Pro), both of which will boot into recovery mode successfully. Not sure what to make of this... the file in question is...

C:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe modified 11/15/2023 10,610kb

I ran sfc /scannow to see if anything changes.

No joy on the System File Checker scan, same errors.