Windows XP can be formatted in two different
file systems, FAT32 and NTFS. If you are running
a machine with a FAT32 files system and then
decide to convert to NTFS using the converts
option - see
23. How do I convert my FAT32 file system to
NTFS - on rebooting you may get a missing or
corrupt ntfs.sys error. Here is how to rectify
this problem
- Insert the Windows XP CD
into your CD-ROM and reboot your pc.
- Allow the basic setup files to load
into memory.
- At the Welcome to Setup
screen press R.
- This will start the Recovery console
and the list of Windows installations will
appear.
- As you only have one installation on
your PC you need to press the number which
is relevant to your installations location.
This, obviously will typically be 1
(one).
- You will need to enter your
Administrator password. If you are
using Windows XP Home edition the
administrator password is blank by default
so simply press Enter.
- At the Recovery Console command
prompt type: cd
\windows\system32\drivers
- Next press Enter.
- The windows system 32 drivers
directory will now open.
- Now type: ren ntfs.sys
ntfs.old
- Again press Enter.
- If a message appears telling you
that the Ntfs.sys file was
not found, then the file is actually missing
rather than corrupt.
- The above command will change the
name of your corrupt file from
Ntfs.sys to Ntfs.old.
- Now type the following at the command
prompt substituting the X
(after copy) with the drive letter of your
CD and the X (after drive)
with the drive letter of your hard drive.
The hard drive usually being the C:/
drive.
- copy X:\i386\ntfs.sys
drive X:\windows\system32\drivers.
- Remove the Windows XP CD
from your CD-ROM.
- Now in the command prompt type:
Exit.
- Restart your PC to make
sure the problem has been rectified.