formatted dell laptop using windows cd now can't get into windows.

[sheraz]

hi, I wanted to format my pc, so I tried creating the recovery disks but every time I tried it gave me error message.

Then I just decided to format using windows disk. So I bought a windows disk booted from it deleted all the partitions and chose to install windows on the biggest partition. then it was installing the files off the cd then it said "windows will reboot in 15 secs, press enter to reboot now" I pressed enter then it rebooted and tried to load the windows setup but every time it gives this message " missing or corrupt c:\windows\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys" and it gives this message every time. I tried fomatting and reinstalling about 5 times but this message keeps coming up.

I even tried using the windows recovery tool and copying the file over from the cd but it still doesn't work. and I deleted all the partitions so now my pc is useless.

I've noticed another thing when I'm installing windows. when I'm about to install and it says

"quick format using ntfs file system"
"format using ntfs file system"

only the quick format option works. when I select the non quick format option it doesn't format the drive it just stays at 0%


Plz some one help me. I have the dell Inspiron 2200 laptop

[PCModifiers]

sounds like bad sectors on your hard drive. The non quick version would be the best way to install the OS and would probably fix your issue, but if you can't do that we got issues.

Boot to the cd again but this time choose the option for the recovery console.

See if you can get to the C: prompt

type in CHKDSK /R


and let that run until it completes...if it even completes

[mujtaba]

Sometimes the Partition Table and the drives get mixed up.
Use Ranish Partition Manager to wipe all the Partitions (if you don't have important things) and do a full format.I don't thing there is any hardware damage so you shouldn't have any problem with it...

[sheraz]

I ran the recory console and type "dskchk /p" it then said the hard disk has one or more errors. Then I ran the other option that's supposed to repair it "dskcheck /r" but it goes to about %71 then it goes back down to %50 and doesn't move

haven't the slightest clue how to use that ranish partition manager :S. and I get even get into windows so how would I run it.

yeah I can't use the non quick way it just stays at 0% after about 13 mins I got fed up and just pressed the power button.

[PCModifiers]

I would also suggest making sure your install cd is clean of fingerprints and such. Though I really think that when it tries to copy the ntfs.sys file from the cd it is writing it to a bad sector that it isn't aware of because of the quick format.



I believe I found the answer:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822800/en-us

[sheraz]

hey I just checked my windows cd and it has about 2 finger print marks on it. will copying the cd be ok? I have doubts that it's the cd though because I just tried it on my PC and it worked fine.

I also think it's writing to a bad sector. but how do I fix this. the dskchk is on 72% now.

the worst thing is, it was working fine but my uncle wanted to format it for some reason and he gave it to me cause he didn't know how to. So it looks like I broke his laptop.

**** it just went to 75% then I could hear the cd rom drive spinning and it went back to 50%

[PCModifiers]

Try that Microsoft fix...I bet that will do the trick.

[sheraz]

what microsoft fix? :S oh it's ok just saw the link

it sounds similar to what I did before, I just replaced the old one with a new 1 from the cd. I'll give it a try though

[sheraz]

it keeps saying the command is not recognised type HELP for a list of supported commands.

have you got msn?

ok I managed to do it. except I can't eject the cd. do you think rebooting with the cd in should matter? after all I copied the file across now

it didn't work (

[marauder]

hey I just checked my windows cd and it has about 2 finger print marks on it. will copying the cd be ok? I have doubts that it's the cd though because I just tried it on my PC and it worked fine.

I also think it's writing to a bad sector. but how do I fix this. the dskchk is on 72% now.

the worst thing is, it was working fine but my uncle wanted to format it for some reason and he gave it to me cause he didn't know how to. So it looks like I broke his laptop.

**** it just went to 75% then I could hear the cd rom drive spinning and it went back to 50%

It's ok. You have to be pacient. Type chkdsk c: /r at the command prompt and take a long walk. If the bad sectors aren't too many and the data can still be recovered that should do it. It took my 120GB HDD about 2,5 hours to complete.

However if your brand new notebook has bad sectors I stronly suggest returning it. The HDD won't last for more than 12 months.