Vista - C:\ntoskrnl.exe

I have a problem with my PC with windows updates. When I turn the computer on in the morning it starts installing new updates. this takes about 35 minutes on stage 1 of 3 then it shuts down. When it restarts again I get a tech guys message to say "Your computer was unable to start. Running start-up repair"
At the end of this when I look at the diagnosis it says:
Boot critical file C:\ntoskrnl.exe is corrupt
Repair Action: File repair
Result! failed error code OxA
Time taken = 4462ms
Repair action: System restore
Result: Completed successfully
Error code = OXO.
This is now happening every time I restart my computer and it takes about an hour. Windows then starts OK until the next time
Do I need to reinstall windows Vista Home Premium??? It was already installed on the PC when I bought it and they did not give me a CD.
Thanks K8

Hi did you get this resolved.

same has happened to me.

need help urgently

thanks

Hi there

I solved the problem yesterday I was very busy on my PC so I turned windows update off for a while then it loaded OK without all that rigmarole, I kept getting reminders about the fact that I wasn't protected but I used the option to remind me in 24 hours every time it appeared.
Then yesterday I took the plunge I backed everything up including my contacts, favorites and email and turned the computer off. Restarted it again pressing F8 all the time until I got the option to completely re-install Windows Vista it only took about half an hour to restore it to it's original state I didn't need the CD which PC World never gave me! then took ages to put everything back on again but this morning it is up and running with only a few annoying bits to tweak.
That is the only way because the corrupt file that was causing the problem
Hope this helps
K8

Thanks for your quick reply.

The problem is that it keeps looping back to configuring updates so never starts up or shuts down.

steps:
configuring updates -
when its 100% complete it tries to shut down
won't shut down
tries to restart
says didn't shut down properly and gives the option to go to safe mode or start up normally
either option goes to coundn't start up - repair screen
and when it finishes it say ntoskrnl.exe is corrupt
and when you click on finish it starts all over again.

You may want to try a System File check before going with the total re-install option

System Files - SFC Command - Vista Forums

if that does not work there is a start-up repair or repair install

Startup Repair - Vista Forums

Repair Install For Vista

for those without a vista disk ...

Create a Recovery Disc - Vista Forums

If all these fail then a complete reinstall or factory reset may be needed

I tried all that and the only way out was a complete re-install.
K8

What happens if you switch it off at the mains switch or if it's a laptop take the battery out?
K8

Hi K8, Sorry to hear that, unfortunately it is sometimes the only way
Was really just providing less drastic options which may help others reading the thread, such as "Ham", from the re-install of apps etc that a complete re-install demands

Thank you all for your help.

A reinstall was necessary and we seem to be back on track now.

Have to reinstall all my programs now but at least its working again.

The do it yourself guides here are great and thanks for those too.

The next thing is to try and find out WHY?

It just seemed to get into a wicked loop - wouldn't shut down unless forced to do so.

It appears that its as a result of MS Updates but not sure.

I wonder if anyone else can throe some light on WHY it did it.

Thanks again for all your help it is appreciated.

Hi Niger
The re-install didn't take that long it's just the tweaking and installing all your programmes, printer and everything. Before I did this I forgot to read my monitor resolution details and to be truthful that has been my biggest problem.. things were all different but I think it's OK now.
K8