Help needed urgently!! My Computer behaving strange

[Arun Kumar]

MY computer is shuting down during start without any reason. It happened twice or thrice. Sometimes it displays message "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt : System32\Drivers\Ntfs.sys. You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the original setup CD-Rom. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair." Sometimes it starts normally, like now it is working fine except it is taking too long to open file/folder or any application. Is it because of any virus/trozan? I had scanned twice my computer (AVG Free edition) with updated definition and it shows no virus. Ad-ware personal with updated definition shows nothing abnormal. I had checked the said file. it exists there. Can any body help me how to repair the said ntfs.sys file with the help of set up CD. I have Original Windows XP Home with SP2. Step by Step instructions will be highly helpful to me.

I have found the following new/strange folder/files. Can any body explain what are they about: -
C:\Windows\syotem32\wbem
c:\Windows\
$hf_nig$
$NtUninstallie7beta2$
$NtUninstallKB900485$
$NtUninstallKB904942$
etc. etc.
I had recently downloaded IE7 Beta and Opera 9 Beta.

Also, I wants to take back up of my entire hard disk (C drive). It is having data of about 19 GB. I don't have CD/DVD writer. Can I copy it to Pen/Flash drive. I don't want to loose my applications/softwares (which I somehow managed by borrowing/swapping) in case of crash. Please advise me urgently!!

 

[casanova]

Man nothing wrong with the folders.
C:\windows\System32 and c:\windows always exist in a system
and $NTUninstallie7beta2$... are present so that u can uninstall ie7 or the hotfixes.

Pen drives are available in max capacity of 8GB.

 

[shovik]

Your ntfs.sys seems to be changed due to improper shutdown. try to copy that file from a friends machine and copy to the excat location where it belongs.

And for you data back up, you can use externel hard drives or usb drives. Externel hard disks come in the capacity ranging from 4GB-120GB and usb drives come in the range of 128MB-10GB.


Regards,
Shovik.

 

[JGuru]

Instead of buying a pen drive you can buy a Sony DVD Writer for 2600/-. Take a
backup of the entire C drive in 4 DVDs. External harddrives are very expensive!!
It' s better that you take a backup in DVDs.Also pen drives are very expensive.

 

[Arun Kumar]

Thanks a lot for so quick response!! I knew, I will not be left stranded here.

Shovik: Yes, there were some improper shut downs due to erratic power cuts.

15 minutes ago, I tried to boot the computer using set up CD to repair the file ntfs.sys, but the recovery console does not complete and on pressing r to repair it restarts. But now computer is running fine except damn slow speed.

One of my friend has suggested that it may be because of ram. I had upgraded my ram from 128 MB to 608 MB (128 MB + 512 MB). 128 MB is original one from Compaq (128 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM - 2 DIMM Slots (max. upgrade - 2GB). To other slot I had used Simmtronics ST-PC-333 8X32CL2 512 MB PC 333 DDR RAM. Is the problem can be of ram? Any suggestions?

JGuru: Does the DVD writer u suggested read/write all CDs/DVDs? Can u suggest price of Liteon one? Which one will be better? I think to have back up of my software/applications/data this option will be better. I must go for this.

 

[casanova]

yup, the dvd writer will support the following media
1. Cd-R\RW\ROM
2. DVD+R\RW\ROM
3. DVD-R\RW\ROM

Also, I heard sony dvd writer is available for 2200 rs and 1gb pen drive wud cost u 1500 bucks.

Try removing ur compaq ram.

 

[samwisedabrave]

If it is Hardware-related, there could be 2 possible reasons:

1) The problem could be RAM,
First check if the RAM modules are compatible with the Mobo.You havent specified what mobo ur using.Incompatible ones cause the system to restart, and sometimes the system does not even boot up.
If they are compatible, install a s/w like memtest, install one ram at a time ,and run the utility, if any errors show up, get it replaced immediately.

2)your mobo could slowly be gettin screwed. you mentioned that ur system restarted due to power fluctuations.u need to buy a ups to control such fluctuations,if u dont have it yet.Also it could be that ur mobo is not getting enough power from the smps, and hence unable to handle the load. i believe u must have updated ur system recently,rite?
I think u should get ur mobo checked to see if its working properly,then either buy a good smps(450W or more), or reduce the load by removing unwanted devices from the system, using them only when they're required.

 

[mediator]

@ArunK......first try to repair the ntfs file b4 going to hardware part! Get ur xp cdrom and search for ntfs.sys file in i386 or in the whole CD.
Copy that file to the required destination. U may also reinstall SP2. Oh forgot but first repair the windows as stated on the error screen!

 

[djmykey]

rate of 1gb pen drive is 1325/- @pune in a wholesale dealers place.

 

[Arun Kumar]

Thanks to all for answering my query.

I am replying after such long gap because my computer was not starting during this period. Today it is working fine so far (without doing anything just opting the "last known configuration" option in message flashed that the window could not started properly choose ....safe mode, last known configuration, normally etc.) Not sure how long it will sustain.

@ArunK......first try to repair the ntfs file b4 going to hardware part! Get ur xp cdrom and search for ntfs.sys file in i386 or in the whole CD.
Copy that file to the required destination. U may also reinstall SP2. Oh forgot but first repair the windows as stated on the error screen!

@mediator I tried to repair ntfs.sys file using xp original cd. After booting it with cd and pressing r for repair, after some test, again compaq logo appeared and pc restarted. Again I tried and the same thing happened. Since, I am novice, I had not tried much. In between I tried to start the pc but same message appeared that window could not start as the file System32/Drivers/ntfs.sys file is missing or corrupt.

Does any body pm me the step by step instructions how to repair the file ntfs.sys using xp cd. (more illustrative will be more helpful)

@samwisedabrave I had upgraded my RAM 3-4 months ago and also added printer. In so far as s/w is concerned I had downloaded IE7 beta and Opera9 beta recently. I don't know the details of mobo. Where to look for it?

 

[djmykey]

Ok dood lookin at all the hardships you are facing I dont think that u might be able to fix your machine. So my suggestion is take ur hdd out. Go to a frens place and copy all the important data. Format ur hdd reinstall Win XP and next time do take extra care while using. thats it.

 

[mediator]

Hmmm....neways u shud have google 1st!!

*support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822800

Ur problem solved!!