The second NTFS boot sector is unwriteable (XP Home edition)

[Guest]

Every time I start windows XP chkdsk runs and completes its three
verifications successfully and gives the message the second NTFS boot sector
is unwriteable. Apparently windows writes a second NTFS boot sector in the
middle of the disk in case of emergencies. Can anyone suggest how to fix
this? All I have is the Windows XP OEM restore CD, but might the quick
format function that it provides resolve the issue?

 

[River_Rat]

Looks like bad news.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/w2kmsgs/2413.asp

--
Good Day
River Rat




Every time I start windows XP chkdsk runs and completes its three
verifications successfully and gives the message the second NTFS boot sector
is unwriteable. Apparently windows writes a second NTFS boot sector in the
middle of the disk in case of emergencies. Can anyone suggest how to fix
this? All I have is the Windows XP OEM restore CD, but might the quick
format function that it provides resolve the issue?

 

[Guest]

The site you provided says the volume must be reformatted, does anyone know
if my Windows XP OEM restore CD will do that with its quick format function?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Download and run a drive diagnostic tool from the drive or system
manufacturer. This will tell you whether the problem is bad sectors on the
disk, or a problem with the file table.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Oddly, the problem seems to have been resolved after I defragmented the drive
(was 31% fragmented). I'm not entirely sure how that worked given that
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/w2kmsgs/2413.asp
suggests reformating the volume, repartitioning or replacing the disk for
this particular issue.

 

[BigJim]

it appears that your hard drive may be going bad, backup your important
stuff and get ready for a
big crash down the road.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Which is precisely why I recommend a drive diagnostic to determine
accurately if that is the case. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Once
you know, then you cna head in the right direction to repair the problem.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org