missing or corrupt: System32\Drivers\Ntfs.sys

[c witt]

my second compute decided to spit out this error:

Windows could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt: System32\Drivers\Ntfs.sys

now microsoft tells me that it is caused by changing the
hard disk to NTFS system.. (didn't do that).

they tell me to fix the problem all i have to do is put in
my windows cd and hit "r" on the "Welcome to Setup"
screen.. problem being.. The ntfs.sys error prevents me
from getting to that screen, so I can't hit "r".

thus far the only things i can think of are trying to get
it to boot up in dos (hasn't happened yet) and replace the
file.. or scrap the HD, and start over (not a good option).

Need all the help i can get.

TIA.

 

[peter]

Stop 0x00000024 or NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
The Stop 0x24 message indicates that a problem occurred within Ntfs.sys, the
driver file that allows the system
to read and write to NTFS file system
drives. A similar Stop message, 0x23, exists for the file allocation table
(FAT16 or FAT32) file systems.

#1. Run CHKDSK in XP Recovery Console:
Set pc BIOS to boot from CDROM. Place XP CD in drive. Reboot from the CD.
Select the first option
R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your Windows
partition by number. Usually it is 1 . Login to XP with administrator
password.
Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In R console /P
replaces /F ).

Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors. This should clear the
"dirty" flag on the disk drive C.
Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive

References for Recovery Console:
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console - Article ID Q314058
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314058

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;q307654

To exit the R Console, use the EXIT command.

#2. You are highly encouraged to have the Recovery Console installed on your
disk so that it is a bootup choice.

#3. Take a look at this, especially if your file system is NTFS.
Windows XP Patch: NTFS chkdsk.exe Update
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=36422
Also http://support.microsoft.com/support/misc/kblookup.asp?ID=315403

peter

 

[Guest]

none of that helps me..

as I said this error is preventing me from being able to
use the win xp cd... so not being able to do that, do you
have any other ideas?

 

[peter]

The CD drive has nothing to do with that error message.
Do you have your CD set as the 1st boot device in your BIOS??
when you boot with the XP CD in place is there a message at the bottom of screen
that says hit "any" key to boot from CD??
What exactly does happen when you attempt to boot from the XP CD??
peter

 

[c witt]

the blue screen apears.. and it starts the cycle of loading
setup files... and then stops with the error of
"system32\drivers\ntfs.sys is corrupt press any key to
continue".. i do.. it reboots, and still comes up with the
error.

 

[Myers]

I`m having the exact same problem... I`m talking to a computer engineer as I type this.. I`ll try to leave you a list of what to do to solve this aggrivating problem. Message me on AIM at zorkmouse if you would like to talk.

 

[BravoCobb1]

I was experiencing the exact same symptoms, and I solved it. I could never reach the XP recovery console, for I would receive the NTFS.sys error message before ever reaching the options screen. Inexplicably, the solution was to replace one of the memory chips. On my Dell configuration, I booted to the utility and ran tests. The memory tests failed for one of the memory chips. After removing it from the motherboard, I was able to boot Windows normally.

 

[Hereifproblem]

Thank you BravoCobb1. yours was the one that worked. I took out one of my memory cards and rebooted and it worked. Have now replaced it and all is good. If you are not an I.T. help desk supervisor, I grant you that honor. (don't be offeneded if you are higher in rank)