"system32\drivers\nfts.sys" missing or corrupt

You must be in the US to use that site. Contact your country's Dell Support to see how you can order. You can borrow someone's XP cd if it's the same xp version and language as yours. Just use your own activation key that's on a sticker on your computer.

Thanks for replying.  That's very strange then to be supplied with a card directing me to that website address if I can't actually use it.

I tried getting hold of an XP cd from friends/family but nobody has one and I cannot find anywhere on the UK site where I am able to order one, it seems very unfair if people in the USA can order the disc but not in UK (and presumably other countries). 

I was under the impression that I should be able to use any XP cd as my understanding is that in order to attempt the repair to my system I just need to copy the missing/corrupt file.  Is this correct?

chels15

As you have discovered, Dell doesn’t have a Global online standard for requesting backup disc

Response will probably depend on rep you get, warranty date or how old your computer is etc..?

I’ve seen some only asked to pay P&P, others a nominal amount & some refused!!

For UK try this link, click here

You can use any Dell OEM XP CD as long as it’s same family of XP as that preinstalled on your D3100

That is it needs to be a Dell OEM XP Pro CD if XP Pro was the preinstalled OS

If it’s only a BSOD showing nfts.sys error code?

Then yes it can be easily fixed using Recovery Console commands or the XP Repair Install, but doubt if the latter option will appear in Windows Setup?

If it’s Malware it depends on how bad it is & you may need to do an XP Clean Install or use the Dell PC Restore utility (no CDs required) but you will wipe HDD XP partition clean & lose ALL personal data stored on that partition

Reply if you require further clarification

Thanks for your help.  When contacting Dell to try to obtain an XP cd, do I ring Sales or Technical Support?

My OS is Windows XP Media Center 2005 so are you saying that I would need to obtain that exact same OEM software to run the repair?  If that's the case, i'm confused as during my extensive searching for help regarding my current pc problem prior to coming here I had read that any XP cd would be able to repair the missing/corrupt file, is this incorrect?

When contacting Dell to try to obtain an XP cd, do I ring Sales or Technical Support?

Tech support.

My OS is Windows XP Media Center 2005 so are you saying that I would need to obtain that exact same OEM software to run the repair?

To run a "repair", it's quite possible you will need to use a specific Dell OEM Windows XP Media Center 2005 disc?  Tech support will be able to confirm it though?

If you simply wanted to copy the missing driver from an XP disc to your hard drive (assuming you know how to do so?), then yes... you could use any XP disc to do it that way.

But it's neither here nor there really, if you can't get hold of a Windows XP disc at all :emotion-55:

Read the following two Microsoft articles on the subject for more info:

ntfs.sys missing or corrupt error message / Missing or corrupt Ntfs.sys" error message when you restart Windows XP....

If those don't help, just Google the error message, to find numerous articles/suggestions/advice on other websites.

Thanks for the info.

When I say "repair", I mean copying the missing file/driver i.e. system32/drivers/nfts.sys by following instructions I have previously found while searching the net about this problem.   I have never attempted this before but the instructions seem clear so hopefully I will be able to complete this process ok.

Where you have mentioned "repair" are you referring to something more involved that would be attempted if the above method failed to work?

If I contact Technical Support it seems they want to charge me £19 just to speak to somebody, is that what will happen to just ask to obtain a copy of the XP cd for my pc which they may or may not provide?

I've also resorted to looking on ebay to buy an XP cd but before going ahead and purchasing a cd from there i'm trying to make sure I buy the most appropriate disc for my pc.  So i'm assuming its best for me to buy a Windows XP Media Center 2005 cd and if that's not possible what is the next best option for me to buy or does it make little or no difference if i'm just using the copy file/driver method?

I hope that all maks sense!

chels15

There was a period (think it was circa 2004 to mid/late 2005) when Dell didn’t provide Windows CD media with computers or there may have been an additional cost option for including Windows CD when making computer purchase – I can’t remember full details

Dell warranty covers hardware (not software) support, albeit there is some slack, depending on problem & date since purchase

If warranty has expired then Dell will obviously charge even if it doesn’t resolve your issue

Technical Support tends to require Service Tag input thereby automatically flags up if still under warranty

If you drilldown in the link I provided use the electronic e-mail communication links

You can try both Technical Support & Customer Service links

Ask if possible to obtain Windows CD/DVD that wasn’t supplied with computer purchase & if/what charge

Dell OEM XP Media Center 2005 may only be available on DVD, so you need to check your computer media device capability

Dell (UK) Customer Service link is this one, click here

You will need original purchase invoice to obtain & enter Customer Number

Yes some have mentioned using other web sites to purchase OEM type media

Could be one of the reasons OEMs are reluctant to provide free backup discs?

As previously mentioned

If it really is just a corrupt/missing NTFS.SYS driver then you could try any XP CD but it’s your call

Recommended method is to use correct Dell OEM Windows XP CD/DVD & run the command chkdsk /r from Windows Setup Recovery Console option

But if it’s a bad Malware infection then that won’t fix your problem

Note different OEMs use different System Locked Pre-installation (SLP) for Windows, so if buying, you need Dell OEM XP Media Center 2005

Otherwise purchase a Full Retail MS boxed XP Pro licence version (no MC bells & whistles)

I bought my Dell pc in January 2006 so that seems to tie in with the dates you've said Dell were not supplying Windows cds, I don't recall any option to pay extra to be supplied with the disc at the time of ordering the pc.

I can accept paying for the call to an 0844 (or whatever) tel no but i'm certainly not prepared to pay £19 for their 'Presto' service when all I want to know is if they will provide a copy of the Windows software.  I think what winds me up most is receiving the Dell card with my pc directing me to support.dell.com/pcrt suggesting I can obtain a copy of OS cd from there when in fact as i'm in the UK that site appears to be of no use to me.  Surely Dell should supply this card with relevant information for the country of purchase.  Anyway, I will do as you suggest and contact Dell via their email system and see what they come back with.

If Dell will not provide the Windows cd for my pc then i'm basically left with little choice but attempt to buy one from a site like ebay although it looks like getting a Dell Media Center version on there will be quite difficult so I may have no alternative but to try another XP cd.  One step at a time though I guess so i'll see what Dell say first.

Thanks for your advice.

I think what winds me up most is receiving the Dell card with my pc directing me to support.dell.com/pcrt suggesting I can obtain a copy of OS cd from there when in fact as i'm in the UK that site appears to be of no use to me.  Surely Dell should supply this card with relevant information for the country of purchase.

No pun intended, but the card supplied with computer purchase is best card to play in your e-mail correspondence, presumably some kind of evidence that Dell didn’t supply CD/DVD?

Missing Windows CD/DVD media is a common subject in these Forums, as already mentioned some manage to receive media from Dell for a nominal charge, recall something like £20 + P&P being reported

Charge probably reflects selling prices in web sites like ebay – to deter profit making from backup requests

Good Luck

No pun intended, but the card supplied with computer purchase is best card to play in your e-mail correspondence, presumably some kind of evidence that Dell didn’t supply CD/DVD?   Missing Windows CD/DVD media is a common subject in these Forums, as already mentioned some manage to receive media from Dell for a nominal charge, recall something like £20 + P&P being reported Charge probably reflects selling prices in web sites like ebay – to deter profit making from backup requests   Good Luck

I think you're right and have certainly referred to this in my emails.  I have made contact via Customer Services and Technical Support although the latter was somewhat problematic as the form is broken into sections for entering error codes etc and the number of characters allowed limited.  I'd much rather obtain the required disc from Dell rather than some 'dodgy' software from elsewhere so i'm hoping to receive assistance from Dell and eagerly await their response!

Thanks for the good luck, I think I will need it!

It took a week for Dell to reply to my email but i'm pleased to report that Dell agreed to supply the XP disc which I have received today so thank you Dell and everyone who replied on this thread.