ntfs.sys missing or corrupt - Serious trouble

[knucmo]

Hello, my laptop was running fine until all of a sudden the message in
the subject header came up when I tried to start it. I have read all
this wonderful mystical advice about "yeah man, boot the recovery
console and all else follows". I have the XP install CD. Exactly how
does ONE reboot the recovery console? Please can somebody help I
CANNOT afford to lose anything on that computer!


P. S. If by "booting" the recovery console that means pressing "r",
then this boots me into an infinite regress - it just keeps rebooting
inspite of the XP cd being in the CD drive.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hello, my laptop was running fine until all of a sudden the message in
the subject header came up when I tried to start it. I have read all
this wonderful mystical advice about "yeah man, boot the recovery
console and all else follows". I have the XP install CD. Exactly how
does ONE reboot the recovery console? Please can somebody help I
CANNOT afford to lose anything on that computer!


P. S. If by "booting" the recovery console that means pressing "r",
then this boots me into an infinite regress - it just keeps rebooting
inspite of the XP cd being in the CD drive.

You write "I CANNOT afford to lose anything on that computer!"
Now let's forget all this mystical advice and get back to reality. If
you cannot afford to lose anything on that computer then why
don't you back up your important files to an independent medium?
EVERY WEEK? I see a contradiction there . . .

In view of the importance of your files, your first task must be
to secure them. The second is to restore Windows if possible.
Here is how to resolve the first task:

1. Remove the hard disk from your laptop. With most laptops
it's easy, with some you have to remove the keyboard first.
2. Buy an external USB case for a 2.5" hard disk. They cost
around $20.00.
3. Install the disk in this case.
4. Connect the USB case to some other Windows PC.
5. Save your irreplaceable files to that PC's disk.

And while you're at it, check ntfs.sys on your disk. It's supposed
to be in the c:\windows\system32 folder.

About backing up your files regularly: Get a 60 GByte 2.5"
disk, then install it in the USB case after resolving your problem.
It would be a very effective backup medium!

 

[knucmo]

You write "I CANNOT afford to lose anything on that computer!"
Now let's forget all this mystical advice and get back to reality. If
you cannot afford to lose anything on that computer then why
don't you back up your important files to an independent medium?
EVERY WEEK? I see a contradiction there . . .

In view of the importance of your files, your first task must be
to secure them. The second is to restore Windows if possible.
Here is how to resolve the first task:

1. Remove the hard disk from your laptop. With most laptops
it's easy, with some you have to remove the keyboard first.
2. Buy an external USB case for a 2.5" hard disk. They cost
around $20.00.
3. Install the disk in this case.
4. Connect the USB case to some other Windows PC.
5. Save your irreplaceable files to that PC's disk.

And while you're at it, check ntfs.sys on your disk. It's supposed
to be in the c:\windows\system32 folder.

About backing up your files regularly: Get a 60 GByte 2.5"
disk, then install it in the USB case after resolving your problem.
It would be a very effective backup medium!

Thank'ee. Will give that a shot.