Ack! NTFS.sys missing or corrupt

[BB Gun]

OK, system was running fine. I kicked my son off the computer, rebooted, and BAM - get this error.

Go into bios to change boot order to CD first to start winXP repair installation, and exit out, system hangs on memory check (C1 error code on Epox 8RDA+ BIOS code LED).

Reset BIOS, set AMD XP2500+ processor speed to proper 166 MHz (was running OC'd at 200MHz before problem with no difficulties) and start windows off XP Pro CD.

Went to "repair" but all it brings me to is a C:\windows> prompt. What do I do to copy ntfs.sys from the CD to the drive?

Epox 8RDA+
AMD2500+
1 GB Kingston HyperX memory
Radeon 9500Pro
MAXTOR 120GB SATA HD (boot drive)
MAXTOR 250GB (data drive, recently added, disconnected during current trials to attempt to avoid and power or boot drive confusion issues)
WinXP Pro, patched and up to date

Thanks,

BB

 

[CommanderFrank]

Many times you will find a floppy in the slot, check that first, it's easy to miss.

 

[BB Gun]

Thanks, but nope. Haven't used a floppy in months. In fact, had to add the SATA driver floppy to get the recovery console to work on the SATA boot drive.

As an update, I found how to copy ntfs.sys from the CD to the windows/system32/drivers disk. I did it, and still get the same error.



BB

 

[MooseWizard]

Could be a memory problem, as I've seen similar errors caused by a bad stick.

Try the Microsoft memory test, just to eliminate that as a possibility.

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

 

[_Durandal_]

First try "chkdsk /r" without the quotes. So, boot to the recovery console again and type that in. It may take a while to run, but let it do its thing and reboot. If that doesn't work, then see below.

Follow the instructions exactly: http://www.retosphere.de/tipsandtricks/ntfserror.php?menu_id=20&

Here is a direct link to Knoppix so you don't have to wade through all the downloads (there are tons of them): ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/linux/knoppix/KNOPPIX_V4.0.2CD-2005-09-23-EN.iso

Just burn this ISO using Nero or whatever burning program you have, and then follow those instructions. Don't worry, Knoppix will not change any of your system files as it boots the entire operating system from CD, and once you reboot, everything returns to normal good luck!

 

[djnes]

What do I do to copy ntfs.sys from the CD to the drive?

You should be able to use the copy command, and you can also run chkdsk.

 

[BB Gun]

thanks for input guys. Off to work right now, will run chkdsk and a mem test tonight when I get home.

BB

 

[BB Gun]

Got chkdsk run, it found an error, and fixed it. Now I have a blue screen of death on bootup. Can't even get into safe mode.

Can I re-install windows on top of itself and keep all my data? Or do I start in a new directory, and just transfer data?

It doesn't reformat automatically, does it?

BB

 

[_Durandal_]

If you're going to do it I would install Windows to a separate directory so you can save your favorites & e-mails, etc. It shouldn't format the entire drive if you opt to either do a repair install, or a new one.

However, did you try that Knoppix trick? The only reason I suggest it is that it saved me twice. I had a client's laptop that Best Buy tried to fix four times, and simply could not. They too told the customer to format and reinstall Windows XP (after various other suggestions such as bad memory, and faulty HDD). By using Knoppix, and just running the ntfsfix, I was able to boot into windows and the laptop works perfect. The ironic thing is that it too would not even boot into safe mode. Instead it kept giving blue screens no matter what I tried.

I won't force you, but please consider trying Knoppix and following the instructions I've given you. It only takes twenty minutes (aside from downloading Knoppix & burning it to CD) and you could be back up and running without a format or re-install of Windows. I think it's worth your time . Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[BB Gun]

I got a long weekend, I can give it a try.

BB

 

[BB Gun]

Up and running with all my settings intact, as far as I can tell. I chickened out on the knoppix thing, though, when I found out I could do a windows repair installation. Was directed by another board to a great WinXP site which walks you through a bunch of WinXP fixes.

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/index.htm

The only thing is - I had to go in and re-update windows with 31 critical updates. What other things does this default back to original settings that I might need to update?

My vid drivers look like the ones I installed (end of 2004) some of the device drivers in my device manager are MS drivers, others are the nVidia drivers that appear to have been installed by the motherboard CD.

Is there anything in particular I should look out for?

Thanks,

BB