How to replace missing/corrupt file?

[Dingo]

Hi Team,

What is the best/easiest way to replace a missing/corrupt file? Through the
repair function of the Windows Setup feature on the original CD ROM or is
there something else I should know? Details of problem below.

I've just installed XP SP2. Now when I boot I get the following error
message:

'Windows could not start because the following file is either missing or
corrupt,
System32\Drivers\Ntfs.sys
You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the
original Setup CD ROM
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.'

I tried as suggested and then I get a administrator password prompt which I
don't know. How can I get the password? Also I think the idea there is to
use command line switches to copy the original file over to the HDD. I don't
know DOS.

Now the funny thing is this, if I just press enter at the error mess.
Windows will boot.
I had previously installed StyleXP and it gives you a choice of two boot
screens to choose from. If I choose the original, no problem. If I choose
the custom boot screen, no good.

What would happen if I went to the second screen option with the original
setup CD and chose repair from there? Would I loose lots of stuff? Or would
it just quietly replace said file without much problem?

What should I do?
Please advise.
Regards,
Dingo

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Dingo,

As you are able to boot Windows, you can manually replace that file.
Start/run msconfig, click on "expand file" (general tab)

File to expand: ntfs.sys
From: X:\I386
To: C:\Windows\system32\drivers

Where X is whatever letter is assigned your CD drive (you need your WinXP CD
for this), change it accordingly. If your system was preinstalled, you may
find this instead on the hard drive under C:\Windows\I386. If so, change the
"from" line accordingly. This assumes a default installation to C:\Windows.
If your installation is in a different folder, such as C:\Winnt, change the
"To" path accordingly. Reboot when finished.

Incidentally, with the Recovery Console, if there is no admin password set,
then you should simply be able to hit <enter> and go to the command prompt.
If not, then you may be the victim of sysprep (used on preinstalled
systems). See this for a workaround:

Cannot Log On to Recovery Console After Running Sysprep [Q308402]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308402

Once there, the command you would use is:

expand X:\I386\ntfs.sy_ %windir%\system32\drivers

Again X would represent the actual drive letter assigned the CD drive or
path where the I386 folder is stored on the system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org