ntoskrnl.exe problem when installing Dual Boot XP Pro/2K3 Server

I need to install 2K3 Server on the secondary partition of my laptop, which is currently running XP Pro. After installing the first bit of Server 2003, it reboots to finish the
installation, however, when the boot menu comes up (with Server 2003 now as
the default OS) it goes from the boot menu to a screen that says the file
\windows<root> ntoskrnl.exe is missing or corrupt.
Now, XP still boots and is unharmed, no issue.
I have tried booting from the Server 2003 CD and running the fixboot and fixmbr
commands, no joy.
I have also copied the ntldr and ntdect.com file from the I386 folder on the Server 2003 CD to my the XP drive, No joy.

I have an image of the system, and am about to blow the whole thing away and install 2003, create a partition image of that using ghost, at least getting me past the installation.

Any help, suggestions or jokes?

Cheers, james