File Corrupted After Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2

Microsoft provides free downloadable updates to improve the system's reliability, security, and compatibility with various applications. These updates are provided in the form of 'service packs'. While these bundled updates are very helpful for any Windows user, they can also result in corruption of system driver (ntfs.sys). Two main reasons for ntfs.sys corruption in the above scenario can be incompatibility of the system with the new update or the update is not installed systematically. In most situations of ntfs.sys corruption, the system becomes unbootable, rendering to inaccessibility of all the hard drive partitions. To get past the ntfs.sys damage scenario, the user can reinstall the Windows operating system and use a valid backup to perform restoration. However, inaccessibility or deficiency of a valid backup leaves the user with no option, but to use a third-party Partition Recovery Software.

For detailed analyses of the above situation, take a real-time case where you installed Service Pack 2 on your Windows XP system. However, after installation is complete and you boot your system, you encounter the below error message:

“We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.
If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.
If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally.
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Start Windows Normally”

Moreover, when you boot your system using 'Last Known Good Configuration', you encounter another error 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”

Cause:

As stated in the second error message, the ntfs.sys driver is corrupted. The system driver is used at the booting of Windows XP operating system.

Resolution:

To resolve the above error message and overcome system driver corruption, you will need to perform a clean reinstall of Windows XP operating system. To recover all hard drive partitions and their data post fresh reinstall, you can opt for a third-party Partition Recovery Software. Such commercial Partition Recovery tools use powerful, yet safe recovery mechanisms to recover lost data post formatting.