Reference number: CH000876
Missing or corrupt
c:\windows\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys.
Question:
Missing or corrupt c:\windows\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys.
Cause:
This issue is known to be caused by one or more of the below
causes.
- Hard disk drive is converted from FAT32 to NTFS and during
the process corrupts the ntfs.sys file.
- Other software or malware corrupts or deletes the ntfs.sys
file.
- Overclocking / heat related issues.
- Corruption in the computer memory or memory in computer is
bad.
- Other serious file corruption issue.
- Other hardware confliction or issue.
Answer:
Missing or corrupt file
To restore a missing or corrupt ntfs.sys file you must have the
Windows XP CD and follow the below steps.
- Insert the Windows XP CD into the computer and restart the
computer.
- As the computer is starting make sure to press a key to boot
from the CD.
- In the Windows XP setup screen press the 'R' key to run the
Windows Recovery Console.
- If prompted enter the number of Windows installation you're
repairing.
- At the command prompt type the below command.
copy x:\i386\ntfs.sys c:\windows\system32\drivers
* In the above example you would replace x: with the letter of
your CD-ROM drive. Many computers have the CD-ROM drive
configured as the D: drive.
- If ntfs.sys is still on the computer you'll be prompted if
you wish to overwrite the file. If prompted, press the Y key for
Yes to overwrite the file.
- Once the file has been successfully copied remove the CD and
reboot your computer.
Overclocking related issues
If you're or have in the past
overclocked your computer restore your computer back to the
system defaults to make sure it is not the cause of your issue.
Improper settings, especially those with bus or memory speeds can
cause issues with your memory or other systems settings, which can
cause file corruption.
Heat related issues
Verify all computer case fans and the processor heat sink fan
(if present) is working. Excessive heat can cause all types of
issues and/or the system to abnormally power down causing corrupt
files.
Improperly connected, bad, or
failing system memory
If following the above steps does not resolve your issue or
you're unable to boot into the CD to restore the file it's possible
your computer has a hardware issue or failure. Often for this issue
it is bad or failing computer memory.
If you've ever added memory to the computer first remove that
memory, even if it was added before this issue started.
If you have never added memory or removing it does not resolve
the issue it's possible that the remaining memory in the computer
is bad or failing. Additional help and information about testing
your computers memory can be found on document CH000708.
We also suggest trying reseating your memory (removing and then
re-installing the memory), trying to replace the memory with known
good memory, and/or if you have two sticks of memory (ie: 2 sticks
of 256 for 512 total or 2 sticks of 512 for 1GB total) to try only
one stick of memory.
Other serious file corruption
If you've reviewed all the above-related issues to this issue
yet are still unable to resolve your issue we suggest doing a full
system restore, deleting all the information and reinstalling
Windows. Additional information about reinstalling Windows XP can
be found on document CH000647. If during
the format or the installation of Windows you encounter additional
errors it's likely your hard disk drive is bad.
If you're unable to boot into the CD to restore the file and/or
to run a full system restore it's likely you're encountering a
hardware issue. If you've already tested and/or replaced the
computer memory see the below other hardware confliction or issue
section.
Other hardware confliction or
issue
If you've tried all the above recommendations and continue to
get this error it's possible that a more serious hardware issue is
being encountered on your computer. We suggest replacing the below
hardware device one at a time until the issue is resolved and/or
have the computer repaired at a local computer repair shop.
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