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AR15.COM
4/2/2007 8:11:39 AM EDT
I have a machine built for me by a company 4 years ago with Windows XP.

Sunday, durring routine use (video game) I recieved a Bluescreen warning that an error has happened with NTFS.sys and that Windows is being shut down to protect the computer from damage. I hit the restart button and after the initial load screens a menu to appeared to where I could select from Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Last Good Settings, and Normal Start. I tried all five of these opitions each time the very moment that the Windows logo appeared on screen there was a quick Bluescreen flash and then the machine restarted on its own. The Safe Mode options would do a quick run down of files and then before even the Windows logo appeared would automatically restart my computer.

I pressed F8 durring the third or fourth initial load screen and then again after I was presented with an option of Operating Systems (there was only XP present). I tried Debugging Mode, VGA Mode, and Boot Logging. This yielded no success. So I inserted my Recovery CD and chose the last option, Windows Registry Restore (this had a warning to be used only by Domain Operators). At this point I really am above my skill level but I thought I would give it a try. It still did an automatic restart.

The Recovery CD which I have was supplied by the company who built it for me so I tried to load from there. When the very first initial screen came on stating my processor and other such information I pressed F8 and after the inital load screens was given a blue pop up menu with options to boot from my Floppy, Hard Drive, and CD drawers. I booted from the Recovery CD and it began checking the hardware configuration and then went through setup until it went to start windows where I was given a Bluescreen warning that an error has happened with NTFS.sys and that Windows is being shut down to protect the computer from damage.

I broke out the Motherboard Manual and tried to fiddle around with BIOS but that didn't produce any results. I do not have a RAID system set up and, aside from my Recovery CD and Motherboard CD, I do not have any disks or floppies with Windows or BIOS stuff on it. I have some personal files that I copied a while back but nothing related to the operating system.


So after concluding that I know enough to really foul up my computer but not enough to fix it I decided to ask here before going to a Computer Repair store. Any suggestions?

Thank you for any replies.
4/2/2007 8:22:33 AM EDT
[#1]
Did you notice any unusual sounds/smells before this problem?

Did you change any hardware/software configs recently?
4/2/2007 9:19:07 PM EDT
[#2]
Look in your manual there should be a CMOS Jumper.

This can be reset...directions in your manual.

All it does is resets your BIOS settings and some hardware settings.

If you just had an error (no physical dmg) this is worth a shot.
4/3/2007 7:02:43 AM EDT
[#3]
No odd smells or sounds. The last thing I did to it was install Zone Alarm two months ago.

I will take a look at this CMOS Jumper and see if I can make it work for me.
4/3/2007 11:36:39 AM EDT
[#4]
NTFS.sys is the file system driver. At a minimum, it sounds like the master boot record was corrupted. There are three things that could lead to this:

1. System crash causing a corruption of the file system - could be caused by various things

2. Failing Hard Drive

3. Failing Hard Drive Controller

The first thing to do, is open the case and re-seat everything. This means cables, add-in cards and memory modules. Problems like this can occur from something loosening up.

If this doesn't help, look at your Hard Drive and ID the manufacturer. Then go to their online support page and download their drive diagnostics. All the major manufactures  have them. These can tell you if its your drive that has failed. They also have utilities for prepping your drive if you need to do a reinstall.

Seagate and Maxtor www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=cb49d21c2f32b010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

Western Digital support.wdc.com/

IBM (Now Hitachi) www.hitachigst.com/portal/site/en/menuitem.9d9c342d03880f8056fb11f0aac4f0a0/

Samsung www.samsung.com/support/productsupport/download/index.aspx

If none of these work, there is also a memory tester available for free. It will check your memory for bad cells.

www.memtest86.com/

Post up with what you find and with anymore questions, and do not, I repeat, do not take your PC to Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, etc. Those places will screw you with a smile on their face. Find a local shop.