Error message that reads: “Windows could not start because the following file is missing: \system32\drivers\ntfs.sys”

Many times it happens with many people, when startig the Windows XP based computer with NTFS.sys file system, an error message pops up. The error message reads like:

“Windows could not start because the following file is missing:
\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys”

This is a problem with the NTFS partition of your computer. After you recieve the error message, you are unable to start your system any more, hence unable to access any of your data in the computer. This is a pure case of data loss and may require NTFS partition recovery software.

Causes:

You recieve the above error message when, you perform any of the following events:

If you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
If you have installed Windows XP SP1 rollup after enabling the hyper-threading have or installtion of another processor to your system. This has occured because as Rollup 1 was released prior to Windows XP SP2, and you have installed rollup after the installation of Windows XP SP2. This should not be be done logically.

Resolution:

The resolution to the above described problem are as follows:

Restart your system afterinsertion of the Windows XP startup disk or Windows XP CD in the respective disk drive or CD drive
When prompted, start the system from the CD drive after selecting any option
To initiate the 'Recover Console', press R when you have the "Welcome to Setup" screen
If your system is a multi boot system, select the required installation you need to access from the 'Recovery Console'
When prompted, provide the 'Administrator password'. In case there is no password, press ENTER
Type the folloing commands in the 'Recovery Console' command prompt and press ENTER after each command
cd system32
ren ntkrnlpa.exe ntkrnlpa.old
ren ntoskrnl.exe ntoskrnl.old
cd "c:\windows\driver cache\i386"
expand sp2.cab -F:ntkrpamp.exe c:\windows\system32
expand sp2.cab -F:ntkrnlmp.exe c:\windows\system32
cd c:\windows\system32
ren ntkrpamp.exe ntkrnlpa.exe
ren ntkrnlmp.exe ntoskrnl.exe
To leave the 'Recovery Console', type EXIT. This will restart your system

Even after performing the above steps, you may not resolve the problem. In such cases, you need a backup to recover your lost data. But in absence of proper backup, you can still recover your data by using NTFS Partition Recovery Software.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery Software is one such tool that recovers data from lost, formatted FAT, NTFS, and exFAT file systems. The software also recovers Lost/Deleted data from harddrive, SD card, Memory card, and external drive.