Can't boot, can't reinstall...help?

[servo2112]

Ok here is my dilemma. A friend had my computer for a time, and during a storm lost electricity. Upon rebooting, he kept getting an error that stated: “Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: System32\drivers\Ntfs.sys


I thought perhaps the hard drive might have been damaged, so I checked it in another machine and it was fine. So then I tried reinstalling windows, and upon booting from the cd I get this error:

“The file Dac2w2k.sys is missing or corrupted”


So I am at a loss as to what to try next...I’ve googled that file and tried the update from mylex, etc. but I can’t even access anything within the pc to replace the file. I also tried running the drive on another machine to replace the file that way, but I can’t even FIND that file anywhere in the Windows directory. Any ideas? Thanks!

By the way I am running XP Pro.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Do you have the Windows Pro CD?

[CBMatt]

With a problem like this, it might be less of a hassle to backup everything on the drive, reformat, and then reinstall Windows.  After spending a week trying to fix an un-bootable hard drive, I have finally decided to resort to this tactic for my own computer.  It isn't the most ideal method, but it's certainly better than having no computer at all.

[servo2112]

Yep I have the cd, and I can't reinstall at all...as I cannot get past the error screens to do so. The hard drive is fine, as I tested it in another machine.

[dahlarbear]

0.  More information might be helpful.  See here

1. 

I thought perhaps the hard drive might have been damaged, so I checked it in another machine and it was fine.

How did you check it in another machine?  Did you access it as a slave drive or did you actually boot its operating system on the other machine?  (Don't boot it.)

2.  Test the System RAM.  Reseat and test the memory.  Install one memory module only and test it.  Then replace it with the other memory module and test it.  Then test both together.  If you get errors, you might try the module in the other memory socket (in the unlikely event the socket has a problem).  You need to observe Electro Static Discharge (ESD) precautions when handling electronic components (like memory modules).

MemTest86 is a standalone program on a bootable floppy or CD that will rigorously test your memory.  It will run until you manually stop it (or the program crashes - not normal behavior).  Let it run for several complete passes.  You shouldn't have errors.

See MemTest86.  Follow the "Free Download" link (left hand side of web page) to either the floppy:
    Download - Pre-Compiled Memtest86 v3.4a installable from Windows and DOS

or CD versions:
    Download - Memtest86 v3.4a ISO image (zip)

The "Technical Info" link (left hand side of web page) is the documentation for the program.

3.  Test the Hard Drive.  Go the hard drive manufacturer's website and find the diagnostic software for the make and model number of your hard drive.  Download the software and create the bootable floppy or CD to test the drive.  Run the non-destructive tests only (to preserve the data on hard drive).

4.  Use Recovery Console.  Boot to the recovery console from the Windows XP CD or the downloadable five volume floppy disk set (Microsoft web site).  Use the chkdsk command to check the integrity of the file system as well as the disk surface.  If errors are found use the chkdsk command to repair them.  Then attempt normal boot from disk.

If you're still having problems, you can use the recovery console to replace "ntfs.sys" with fresh copy from Windows XP CD.