Windows XP will not start because a file is missing

[mattd]

When I try to log into windows this is the message I get;

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
Please reinstall the above file

I have XP on a cd and I'm not sure how to repair this. When I load the XP cd and go to repair it asks for some disk.

 

[KSoD]

Troubleshooting Windows XP - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

Read thru that Wiki there. It gives you the clue as to how this error came about and ways to fix it.