Windows wont load

[zephyr50]

Hi there, I'm having a problem starting Windows XP home, as it loads a blue screen appears with the error message 'UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME'

I've tried restarting several times and tried to restart in safe mode but am getting the same thing. Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

[maynardvdm]

Hi

Do you have an XP disk?

Also read this by microsoft

If you have the XP disk boot from the disk(you may need to enter the BIOS to set the CD to 1st boot option) then go to the recovery console and type chkdsk /r (note: there is a space between the k and the /).

[zephyr50]

I dont have an XP disc as the OS came pre- loaded, I do have another XP disc that is loaded on this pc, would I be able to boot from that ?

I did try using it but no luck, maybe I missed something?

[maynardvdm]

Any XP disk(NOT copied) will work! If you got a disk with the other pc that is fine it's just to boot from it to get to the recovery console.

[RandyL]

Hi;

What is the make and model of your computer? It might be possible to recover from a partition on your main drive.

[zephyr50]

Well I got it to boot from my disc and did chkdsk /r in recovery console but when I tried to restart still got the same blue screen with UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME message again

I also tried using the fixboot command as instructed on microsoft help.

Before rebooting I set boot device priority back to original setting and selected start windows normally, was this the correct action ?

[maynardvdm]

Hi;

What is the make and model of your computer? It might be possible to recover from a partition on your main drive.

Tell us the make and model as Randy said, then we can tell you if you need to change settings in the BIOS. Also what cable are you using for the Hard drive?

Did you try using the fixmbr in the recovery console?

[zephyr50]

Its a Dell Dimension 3100, don't know what cable as it was a complete system purchase but we have had it over a year and had no trouble till now. Didn't know about fixmbr option I'll try that now, thanks.

[RandyL]

Hi zephyr;

If maynards idea doesn't work try a repair reinstall. Look at this link. http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

At least you were able to get into the recovery console. This is a good as Dell appears to only have the Symantec Restore which resets to factory condition causing all loss of data.

 

As such you have more options so don't give up.

Let us know how it goes please.

[zephyr50]

Hi Randy

I'm afraid the fixmbr didn't work either. thanks for the sticky re: information, sorry but I'm not that clued up on pc's lol here's some more info on our system:

Dell System DV051

BIOS Ver 1.10 A03 (10/08/05)

IE7 ver 7.0.5730.13

Windows Firewall

AVG free antivirus

P2P Limewire

 

No new programs or hardware installed recently

[RandyL]

Boot from the CD to get into the Recovery Console.

Look at the link I provided.

Scroll down and carefully follow the instructions to perform a Repair Install.

 

If it works and you can get into Windows come back immediately.

I would bet a weeks pay your system is infected.

This needs to be addressed.

 

See you soon;

RandyL

[maynardvdm]

Everytime i ran limewire and did a full scan with bitdefender it picked up malware so i dont use limewire anymore or any p2p software for that matter.

[Seth]

An "Unmountable Boot Volume" ALMOST always means that the hard drive is failing. If the XP repair fixes the problem, it will most likely be temporary. So, back up any important information.

[zephyr50]

Hi all, thanks for all your help, just an update, I did a re-install and all is ok now. Lost all my files of course so that'll teach me to back stuff up lol.

Thanks again to everyone for advice

[RandyL]

Hi zephyr;

Sorry to hear about your file loss. Glad you're up and running again though. It still might be a good idea to run a hard drive test.

 

Thanks for the followup.

RandyL

[AdvancedSetup]

Well if all you did was a re-install on the same hard drive and did not put in a new hard drive then you still might be able to get some files back.

 

If you didn't change the hard drive and want to try to recover some files you'll need an external hard drive to copy them to and some software. Just let us know.