Won't boot up, ntfs.sys problem

Question

So I installed a PCI wireless card into my Dell DImension 4700. It didn't work too well so I pulled it out (after booting down the computer of course) and the PC rebooted fine. Then, after using my computer I got the blue screen of death and then everytime I tried to boot afterwards it told me my Ntfs.sys file was missing or corrupt (I assume the later). Now, I can't access Windows and only have a spare Windows Pro full CD-ROM. Not the Windows XP Home edition CD. Since Dell didn't include the CD-ROM what are my option on how to fix this.

Here's what I've done so far.

1. Reset the BIOS to default factory settings.
2. Changed the boot order having it boot from the CD-ROM.

So far it attempted to install Windows XP Pro once but before the install even began it said there was a missing file and it couldn't continue.

SO what course of action should I take now?

shesagordie · Answer

DjArcadian.

If your computer was shipped after 7.15.04 then you have the Dell's PC Restore utility on the hard drive, that restores the system to factory condition.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1090151&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Power the computer on.
When the black screen with the Dell Logo in the top blue bar appears, press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard, then press the F11 key, then release them both at the same time. The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears.
NOTE: Only press the keys one time, if you press them more than once you will receive a keyboard error and will have to start the process over.
Click the Restore button. A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
Click the Confirm button. The progress window appears. When the restore is complete the message "The system recovery process was successful"

appears.

Click the Finish button. The computer should restart.

Bev.

DjArcadian · Answer

I tried it. It doesn't work. :(

I keep getting a "floppy diskette seek failure" and it says to hit F1 to continue or F2 for setup. If I hit F1 it goes back to the Dell logo screen and starts the whole process over again.

DjArcadian · Answer

This is interesting. After noticing that I kept getting the keyboard error I found a command in the BIOS that blocks keyboard error reporting. After turning that on I was able to run the recovery. Now I get a new error but now it says

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: system\DRIVERS\pci.sys"

Now, this whole problem started when I took the PCI card out of my computer.

Where should I proceed from here?

shesagordie · Answer

DjArcadian.   Contact Dell Technical Support and request the XP HE reinstallation CD for your system,  your computer should be able create the XP operating system CD, using the Dell OS Recovery Utility, but as you cannot enter windows, this is out of the question now.     http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1091713&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19   Regards to the 'Ntfs.sys file is missing' error mesage, you will need the XP reinstallation CD for either of the following.   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822800   How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP, after this, you will need to reinstall Microsoft's critical updates   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341&Product=winxp   Bev.

DjArcadian · Answer

Thanks! Windows boots up again!

Now, I had reinstalled the PCI wireless card that started all this mess. Now, I still don't want it so what do I do to properly remove it without restarting this problem. Also, I had to remove some of my RAM to get it to boot. Is it now safe to install this RAM again or is the RAM chip defective?

shesagordie · Answer

DjArcadian.   Have you tried going to the PCI Wireless manufacturer's website, to see if there's any procedures for this?   If removing the memory module allowed your system to boot up correctly, then yes, it's defective, if the module was shipped with the computer, then contact Dell's Technical Support about a replacement   First, check to see if you can burn the XP HE recovery utility to CD, as I have posted about before.....   Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

DjArcadian.   Check out the following about the 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: system\DRIVERS\pci.sys' error message.   http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330181   Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

Deleted.   Bev. Message Edited by shesagordie on 08-01-2005 05:37 PM

Windows General

Won't boot up, ntfs.sys problem

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