Windows XP - ntfs.sys missing/corrupt

:: cmckay :: · 18 Sep 2006 at 18:24

I am getting the error that system32/drivers/ntfs.sys is either missing or corrupt.

I have replaced the file from the CD using the recovery console although im still getting the problem when trying to boot....

Any ideas? Thanks!

Origin · 18 Sep 2006 at 22:05

This Any Help?

ntfs.sys
When you start your computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), you may receive the following error message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing:
\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps: 1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk in the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive, and then restart the computer.
2. Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD drive if you are prompted to do this.
3. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
4. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.
5. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the Administrator password is blank, press ENTER.
6. At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines. Press ENTER after each line.
cd system32
ren ntkrnlpa.exe ntkrnlpa.old
ren ntoskrnl.exe ntoskrnl.old
cd "c:\windows\driver cache\i386"
expand sp2.cab -F:ntkrpamp.exe c:\windows\system32
expand sp2.cab -F:ntkrnlmp.exe c:\windows\system32
cd c:\windows\system32
ren ntkrpamp.exe ntkrnlpa.exe
ren ntkrnlmp.exe ntoskrnl.exe

7. Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer will restart.

Hope it works for you.

:: cmckay :: · 19 Sep 2006 at 12:31

I'll give that a go. Thanks!

:: cmckay :: · 19 Sep 2006 at 16:04

Tried that and still no luck

If I formatted the HDD (its well due) would that fix the problem with a clean install?

Craig321 · 19 Sep 2006 at 16:39

It would probably sort it, yes. But if you want to get back into Windows to get your data back then do a repair from the CD and it should boot.

:: cmckay :: · 19 Sep 2006 at 16:51

I have done a repair from the cd as well as the above and replacing the file that was corrupt / missing and nothing worked :confused:

Sherm · 9 Mar 2007 at 16:51

I have the same problem with a machine that a guy at work wants me to fix. On startup says that the system32 file is missing, I go to repair and it then says that the drive cannot be detected!
This is what it was doing to me when he gave it to me, i formated and reloaded windows, but the machine had random restarts after, then one time after i went to start it came up with the same System32 msg and again the error saying drive cannot be found, so back to stage 1 !! argh ! lol

I read before that it may be the boot sector that it borked? Anyone have any recomendations for this ? First for me this one !

korbk · 9 Mar 2007 at 18:44

You could try running 'chkdsk /R' from the Recovery Console and see if that fixes the error.

Sherm · 9 Mar 2007 at 18:48

yeah could do, will need to try and persuad the machine to see the hard disk first ! But will do, if i can get that far, thanks.

korbk · 9 Mar 2007 at 19:08

Sherm said:
yeah could do, will need to try and persuad the machine to see the hard disk first ! But will do, if i can get that far, thanks.

So you can't get to the Recovery Console by booting with the XP CD?

I missunderstood, because you said originally, you'd tried to replace the file using the CD, which I thought meant that you'd sucessfully got into the Recovery Console.

Sherm · 10 Mar 2007 at 02:11

The first time i tried, but then he could not tell me the admin password ! lol, when i found it i tried again and then it said that it could not find the hard disk ! nuts and really annoying.
At the moment i am unable to get to the recovery console due to it not finding the hard disk, might check the hd manufacturer to see if they have any repair software that i could run....