Member Avatar for toshiba6100

I have a toshiba 6100 that will not start the message that gives is: Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: System32\Drivers\Ntfs.sys
I tried to use the Windows XP disk to recover but I am unable to access the disk. The disk does boot ( i can hear it and its set to boot first) but it will not start to gain access it continues to give me different messages or just shuts down and restarts in the same manner.

  • 4 Contributors
  • 6 Replies
  • 209 Views
  • 2 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by gerbil

Dani AI

Generated

This looks like two related failure modes stacking up: the missing/corrupt System32\Drivers\Ntfs.sys message plus the intermittent setup errors (setupdd.sys error code 4 and the arcdisp.c/line 1768 messages) usually point to underlying hardware or I/O corruption rather than a simple missing file. Microsoft’s documentation and long-standing install guidance show the arcdisp.c failures and setupdd.sys errors commonly trace back to bad RAM or disk/controller problems, while a missing/corrupt ntfs.sys is often a symptom of a damaged NTFS volume or disk. (learn.microsoft.com)

If the data on the laptop matters, stop attempting repairs that write to the drive and preserve your files first. Boot a rescue/live environment (SystemRescue or an Ubuntu live USB) or pull the drive and attach it to another PC/enclosure to copy off important folders before anything else. Once data is safe, run hardware checks in this order: a full memory test (MemTest86) and a vendor HDD/SMART diagnostic long test (SeaTools or your drive maker’s tool). Bad RAM or failing sectors will cause exactly the installer crashes you see. (system-rescue.org)

Practical next steps (in order): image/backup the drive; run MemTest86 (let at least one full pass complete); run a bootable HDD long test / SMART scan; try the laptop with minimal memory (single stick) and no extras fitted. If RAM shows errors, replace it. If the HDD fails diagnostics or shows many bad sectors, plan to replace the disk and restore from the image/backup you made. Hardware must be sound before attempting file-level fixes or Recovery/repair operations. (memtest86.com)

As suspected, this is very often hardware, and while ’s recovery/repair idea can work when the media and memory are healthy, copying files back onto a failing disk will only give temporary or no success. If any of the above diagnostics are unfamiliar or you can’t remove the drive, seek a local shop to image the disk first—data preservation is the priority.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for JustinNH

What were the other different messages?

Perhaps the disk isn't bootable.

Member Avatar for toshiba6100

I tried the disk in other laptop and it works, I press f1 for the BIOS and the cdrom is set to run first it goes to windows setup but that the farthest it goes. I tried it many times still no luck. twice i received: (File setupdd.sys could not be loaded the error code is 4) 3 or 4 other times i recieved (An unexpected error 1297301844 occurred at line 1768 in d:\xpclient\base\boot\setup\arcdisp.c.

Member Avatar for toshiba6100

others times just goes blank and nothing happens

Member Avatar for JustinNH

Microsofts site claims it the error 4 could be caused by a hardware issue. Incompatible or damaged maybe.

The only time I ever ran into the ntfs.sys error was with a fried hard drive. Everything I've read about that error and the error 4 issue revolves around a hardware problem.

Member Avatar for Radchef

I went to use my computer and it won't boot up. It's a sony Vaio VCS411. I get an error message : Windows unable to start because of missing or corrupt system32 ntfs files. XP came pre-installed, so how do I boot it up?

Member Avatar for gerbil

You must either enter your Recovery partition on your hard disk if it exists and copy over the system32/drivers/ntfs.sys file, or use a bootable cd such as an XP installation cd to copy that file from the i386 folder.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.