Urgent Help Needed

[KarinP]

I have an urgent problem. Not very familiar withSpyBot but ran a scan on my sister's computer last night. Now, it won't start up today.

I remember 3 Microsoft lines coming up; told program to fix. Now, Windows XP won't start up at all today.
The message they are getting is this:

Windows cannot start up because the following file is missing:

System32/Drivers/NTFS.System

The Spybot scan came up with 3 Microsoft lines; one I remember was something about Microsoft Virus Alerts...can remember the rest.

Is there any way I can restore what Spybot removed? Since I can't get Windows XP to start up, I am hoping it can be done in Safe Mode.

Please, can you help me with this....she is really upset with me.

The only other thing I did last night before I ran Spybot was install Norton 2006 Antivirus.

Thank you thank you thank you.

[md usa spybot fan]

Although you can probably run Spybot in Safe Mode and restore the items that were "fixed" by going into Spybot > Recovery. However, I doubt that that will correct the problem. The items detected and corrected by Spybot were probably cause by Norton disabling Windows Security Center and would have nothing to do with the C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys file.

I suggest you try to boot the system in Safe Mode and then do a System Restore to a point in time before the error occurred.

From the following article:
Windows XP System Restore Is Easy to Use
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

If System Restore doesn't work in Normal Mode, it might work in Safe Mode. To use System Restore in Safe Mode, press the F8 key during reboot and choose Safe Mode. When your computer starts in either Safe Mode or Normal Mode, System Restore can be used to capture a working previous state. System Restore can't be opened unless the system is bootable into one of these modes.

[KarinP]

Although you can probably run Spybot in Safe Mode and restore the items that were "fixed" by going into Spybot > Recovery. However, I doubt that that will correct the problem. The items detected and corrected by Spybot were probably cause by Norton disabling Windows Security Center and would have nothing to do with the C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys file.

I suggest you try to boot the system in Safe Mode and then do a System Restore to a point in time before the error occurred.

From the following article:
Windows XP System Restore Is Easy to Use
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx


Okay, thanks so much for your reply. I am on the phone with her right now with her and she is able to get into safe mode.

Okay, how do you we get to System Resore from here?

Thanks very much!

[md usa spybot fan]

It is in the reference above.

[md usa spybot fan]

More here:
To run System Restore in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/app_system_restore_hss_safemode.mspx?mfr=true

[KarinP]

It is in the referenced above.

Okay, I printed the article; I will have to go over to her place and try it. Have been trying to gather as much information online before I go there because won't be able to do it once I get there.

Many thanks for your guidance. Worst case, would I just have to uninstall Windows XP and re-install if I can't get to system restore in safe mode?

[md usa spybot fan]

Worst case, would I just have to uninstall Windows XP and re-install if I can't get to system restore in safe mode?
You probably could do a repair install so that the saved user files are not disturbed.

[KarinP]

You probably could do a repair install so that the saved user files are not disturbed.

I do apologize for my ignorance but how do I do a repair install? Thanks....again so very much.:angel:

[md usa spybot fan]

Some references:
Perform a Repair Installation
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm