Windows Vista Startup Hang and Boot Failure after SP1 on Corrupt Driver File (atapi.sys and ataport.sys)

During installation process of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), at the final reboot after completion of the SP1 appears to be successfully installed, the system fails to boot and startup with an error message about a corrupt driver file (ataport.sys or atapi.sys), and recommend user to boot from the original Vista installation CD to repair the corrupted files.

However, trying to repair computer via System Recovery Options does not help to recover the computer, and system automatically rolls back and revert installation of service pack to restore point prior to the installation of SP1. Worse still, any attempt to re-install Service Pack 1 again will trigger the same corrupt drive file error.

Apparently, the upgrading of Windows Vista SP1 is in great mess for many users. Above symptom is also related to other driver corrupted error which halt and hang the boot up process after installing Windows Vista SP1. Other possible error messages are:

!! 0xc0000005 !! 1588/68562 (Dfrgntfs.exe)

When starting up the computer in Safe Mode, the drivers loading will stop indefinitely at the following line, with hard disk drive no longer has any activity (reading or writing, as the HDD LED is off.

Loading: \windows\system32\drivers\crcdisk.sys

To resolve and fix the unable to boot issue due to corrupted driver, a few files that cannot be loaded during boot up process has to be restored. To do so, users can boot up via Windows Vista original RTM installation DVD, and open up a command prompt in Windows Recovery Environment to copy the files affected from the DVD to replace the corrupted files on the system drive.

  1. Configure in BIOS so that first or priority boot device is DVD optical drive.
  2. Insert the Vista installation DVD into the DVD drive.
  3. Power on the computer. If applicable, press any key to boot from DVD.
  4. Once the Windows Vista installation DVD boot completes, you’re asked to specify Language to install, Time and currency format and Keyboard or input method. Choose the the appropriate options and click Next button.
  5. On next screen, there are options to Install Now or Repair your computer. Click on Repair your computer.
  6. Choose the Windows installation that having problem. Usually there is only one instance of Windows Vista which is automatically highlighted. If so, simply click Next button.
  7. If you are offered any automatic repair options, cancel all of them until coming to System Recovery Options screen that offers several choices beginning with “Startup Repair” and ending with “Command Prompt”.
  8. Click on Command Prompt to open a command prompt window. The command prompt shell should show folder location as X:\Source, where X drive is the source installation files on Windows Vista DVD.
  9. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ folder (use cd C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ command, assuming C is your system drive), and backup the following driver files:

    acpi.sys
    atapi.sys
    ataport.sys
    battc.sys
    compbatt.sys
    intelide.sys
    msahci.sys
    pciidex.sys
    wmiacpi.sys
    crcdisk.sys (if affected)

    The command to backup can be of rename or copy. For example:

    copy acpi.sys acpi.sys.backup

    or

    ren acpi.sys acpi.sys.backup

    Alternatively, create a backup folder with mkdir backup command in “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\”, and then copy all files to the backup folder with copy *.* backup\ command, assuming C is Vista installation drive.

  10. Then copy the original files from similar path in X drive (where the source files from DVD is mapped) to replace and overwrite the files in Windows Vista installed system drive. The commands are:

    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\acpi.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\acpi.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\atapi..sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\atapi..sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\ataport.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\ataport.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\battc.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\battc.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\compbatt.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\compbatt.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\intelide.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\intelide.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\msahci.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\msahci.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\pciidex.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\pciidex.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\wmiacpi.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\wmiacpi.sys
    copy x:\Windows\System32\drivers\crcdisk.sys c:\Windows\System32\drivers\crcdisk.sys     (if affected)

    If prompt for overwriting destination file, answer Yes.

  11. Type Exit to close the command window.
  12. Restart the PC.

The PC should be able to boot up and log on into Windows Vista desktop now. The system should prompt that Windows Vista SP1 has successfully installed, however, some files have been replaced with older versions with resolution above, so it’s wise to reinstall SP1 with standalone update package.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 12:04 am and is filed under Tips & Tricks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

19 Responses to “Windows Vista Startup Hang and Boot Failure after SP1 on Corrupt Driver File (atapi.sys and ataport.sys)”

  1. Marcos Klemp
    December 7th, 2011 04:58
    19

    Man, i’m from Brazil, and i found your article searching for an answer for this problem.
    I’ve tried it now, and i hope it works :)

    Thanks a lot, man. i was losing my mind and almost kicking it out of my window XD

    Cya!

  2. Dani
    October 31st, 2010 08:35
    18

    I can't copy the crcdisk.sys file, it says it doesn't exist. Where else can I get it because I tried to complete the process without it thinking maybe that one wasn't effected but it didn't solve anything.

  3. Ocean
    June 29th, 2010 17:52
    17

    Hello:

    Thanks for saving me all the time on re-installing everything. Your solution works!! I can login and re-apply the service pack again.

    THANK YOU!

  4. Chi
    June 16th, 2010 14:00
    16

    Thank you so much!! I tried everything to fix my computer and I was about to take it to Best Buy to have Vista reinstalled. After this fix, I can now log into windows with all of my files! You are a life saver!

  5. steve
    February 17th, 2010 09:13
    15

    I have x:windowssystem32drivers but no crcdisk.sys to copy over to same location on C:. Where can I find this file?

  6. steve
    February 17th, 2010 09:12
    14

    I have an X:windowssystem32drivers folder, but no crcdisk.sys in there to copy over to same location on C:. I Don't have another Vista machine around so where can I find that crcdisk.sys file? I have several Vista CD's but I can't find that file. Please help me. Thanks

  7. Bryan Huddleston
    February 8th, 2010 21:35
    13

    Thank you sooo much for this help. This totally bailed me out with a major issue here. My mission-critical laptop access was recovered with your help here. This totally worked. Thanks!

  8. Ramon
    January 10th, 2010 14:14
    12

    can you fix this problem without the cd because i have this problem and it won't boot up any help

  9. Adam
    November 19th, 2009 02:33
    11

    Excellent article, thank you – I'm an experienced user but the pciidex.sys corruption had me a bit stumped – you saved me hours of frustration. Thank you again.

  10. Orion
    November 15th, 2009 14:39
    10

    did all the 10 steps…my system boots now…

    But…

    Its now stuck at the User Login Screen . Cursor is blinking in the Password field. Mouse pointer is in the middle of the screen. Nothing is moving. Neither the Mouse pointer when i move my finger on the mousepad…nor the keys when i type the password…I am Stuck….!!! its over 5 hours now…SOMEONE HELP !!!!

  11. Kyle
    October 11th, 2009 22:54
    9

    Is it possible to do this without the cd because i never got one

  12. Jacob
    September 4th, 2009 18:29
    8

    Hi,

    I know this is belated but THANKYOU!!!! this totally threw me and could've resulted in a total re-build – again and a potential move off MS operating systems for good.

    Nice work!!

  13. j.
    August 7th, 2009 04:05
    7

    I'm having the same problem as Miller. It stays X: and doesn't respond to the other commands…

  14. lawrence walker
    July 24th, 2009 01:57
    6

    ok i started coping now with by going

    c:

    enter

    copy windowssystem32drivers(driver name)

    but i'm failing at makin the backup folder and pasting those files there? i'm not THAT computer oriented so i need some extra help if possible.

  15. lawrence walker
    July 24th, 2009 00:52
    5

    yes I keep getting stuck on the copy section of your directions.

    i go into the command area and then what do i type?

    do i type

    c:WindowsSystem32drivers

    or

    c:

    then

    WindowsSystem32drivers

    I was in the middle of updating my adobe reader when my comp froze and I powered down and then back up. since then i cant get it to boot windows back up. ATM since i tried to follow your directions to no avail. i'm tring to reinstall windows but i dont think it will work seeing how it is stuck at 0% of expanding files. plz help me!

  16. Normand Carbonneau
    July 18th, 2009 16:13
    4

    After 8 hours of reading and trying, I found your article and it solved my problem. Many thanks for taking the time to share this knowledge.

  17. Larry Sacks
    July 13th, 2009 05:52
    3

    Thank you for taking the time to write up this tech note, you did an outstanding job. I thought I was going to have to restore from my Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery, Recovery Point, but thanks to your post I didn't need to… Thanks your time spent documenting this was really appreciated!!

  18. Matthew Miller
    April 3rd, 2009 23:31
    2

    Ignore the last message, I kept typing it wrong, its too late.

    Thanks :D

  19. Matthew Miller
    April 3rd, 2009 23:26
    1

    Hi, thanks for the help. I am having one problem that I hope is simple. When in the command prompt, it will not allow me to change directory to C:WindowsSystem32drivers

    Any ideas?

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