Blue screen error nightmare

miss_edith

Wondering if anyone can help me with a Windows XP problem. PC was fine until switched on one morning then Windows will not load and all I get is a blue screen with 'stop:0x0000000A (or 0x000000024) errors saying that Windows has been shut down. I have tried to boot it in safe mode but get the same errors. I have tried to reinstall Windows but I get a message saying that ntfs.sys is corrupted before the CD reaches the menu. I don't know what else I can do as I can't get it to load any form of Windows at all.
Does anyone know what the problem is and what I can do? Would be extremely grateful for any advice.

spakkker

If you enter bios ,or setup, on startup-instructions at bottom of screen, usually press del or f2 repeatedly on startup - then change boot order to cd ,it will be set to hdd now.
On re-starting your pc should boot from cd -try the repair option.

edit - assumed you were installing windows from disc.

closed

boot from cd, and try recovery console, then

chkdsk c: /F

amcluesent

>Does anyone know what the problem is and what I can do<

I'd err on the side of caution that the disk was dying, so you want to minimise updating it unless you already have a full backup of all the documents, pictures etc.

miss_edith

Thanks for the replies. I can't get into the recovery console on the CD. I get an error saying that ntfs.sys is corrupted before the CD boots properly. I can't get into anything to run chkdsk either.
I hope the hard disk isn't dying as I've only had the PC for a month - it was a refurb so expected to be ok for a few years.

JJ_Egan

A Stop 0xA message means that a process or driver attempted to access a memory section without permission, or at a kernel interrupt request level (IRQL) that was too high. This message is in most cases a sign of faulty hardware (I.E. Memory) or incompatible software(I.E. Drivers).

ntfs.sys is corrupted if its a reconditioned unit you have no way of knowing what usage the hard drive has had .

Can you get into safe mode F8 key at boot .

http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-fix-missing-or-corrupt-ntfssys-error-in-windows-xp/


Its possible you have faulty RAM use a tool like memtest to check .

jje

spakkker

If JJ is on the right track, try removing the memory sticks and trying with just one stick at a time and alternate the slot used.
Any warranty at all ?

macman

Agree, try reseating the RAM as well. If it's a Dell, what are the diagnostic lights telling you?

closed

are you definitely booting from the cd? F12?

miss_edith

Thanks for the suggestions, will try the memory test today.
I have definately been trying to boot from the CD but the error message comes before it reaches the menu.
I think I got a 3 month warranty with it - should it cover this sort of problem? I'd assumed it was a software or file problem so didn't think about the warranty covering hardware problems.

closed

How are you trying to boot from cd, have you checked the boot order in the bios? have you tried F12? If it were really booting from the cd, you wouldn't get the error message