Computer help 911!!!11

[exit]

Well my friends asked me to look at their laptop the other day because it was having a problem and didn't really know what to expect. While I'm no where near a computer expert, I've always figured things out when my back was against the wall, but this time I have no idea where to start.

Well the laptop is having getting an UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error and it can't get into any of the safe modes, the boot CD I downloaded doesn't help much either and I'm all out of ideas. What makes things difficult is that I don't have a copy of Windows XP, so I can't get to this Recovery Console that Google keeps talking about. I guess my only other option is to make boot discs, but that would mean having to break out my old computer (since my new one has no floppy drive) and I'd rather not go through that if I don't have to.

So if anyone can offer any help it would be great, I'd hate if they'd have to goto a shop, or (even worse) the Geek Squad for something that can be handled with a little elbow grease.

[Hitman Tyler]

how long has he been having this problem??? If not too long ago, try system restore.

[OldSchoolGamer]

According to MS a screwed filesystem means you definitely need a xp disc BUT they also list a couple other possibilites?:

1.The file system is damaged and cannot be mounted.
2.You use a standard 40-wire connector cable to connect the UDMA drive to the controller instead of the required 80-wire, 40-pin cable.
3.The basic input/output system (BIOS) settings are configured to force the faster UDMA modes.

Back to the top
RESOLUTION
If it be the connector cable problem then replace the 40-wire cable with an 80-wire UDMA cable.
If it's a BIOS settings problem then load the 'Fail-Safe' default settings, and then reactivate the most frequently used options such as USB Support.

If it's a damaged file system case then:-
1.Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.

Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted.

2.When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.

3.If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.

4.When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.

5.At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r , and then press ENTER.

6.At the command prompt, type exit , and then press ENTER to restart your computer.

This takes a bit longer, but the system should boot back into Windows.

[megasdkirby]

Verify if the HDD is being detected by the BIOS via POST or entering the BIOS. If it is, try to find a live CD which has a HDD health check program. It seems to be a failing HDD.

If the HDD is not detected or it is but contastantly has problems, it may be time to replace the HDD. You could try repairing the MBR with fixmbr, but this may only be a temporary solution.

[MrSparkle]

Yea shooting from the hip that's most likely a dead harddrive, which is pretty common in laptops. easy way to check, get a live linux distro with an emphasis on computer recovery and repair tools. Make sure to change the boot order to use cd before harddrive in the bios too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LiveDistros#Rescue_and_Repair_Live_Distros there are a couple of distros suited towards this. Youll want to use a tool to check the harddrive for bad sectors and whatnot.

[exit]

Turns out my friend is going to get his old desktop from his Mom and they're not sure what they're going to do with the laptop at this point. It also seems that their CD drive is going bad, which explains why I've been having problems trying to boot via CD, so I'm taking that as a sign.I also may just give them my old desktop, since all it really needs is a fresh install, so at least they won't have one that's over a decade old.

Thanks for the input tho guys.

[megasdkirby]

If you are certain the laptop has a ruined optical drive, try using a USB optical drive and boot from there (if the BIOS permits). If possible, try formatting the drive.

[MrSparkle]

If you guys give up on that laptop and dont want it id pay shipping to take it off your hands ;) just pm me if interested

[diskoboy]

Sounds like your hard drive bit the dust.

My 2 year old laptop has already been through 3.