Unmountable boot volume error! help!

Question

Hi, I need help!!! I turn on computer today, and boom! this blue screen comes up and it says 'Unmountable boot volume' STOP: 0x000000ED (0x825c0900,0xc0000006,0x00000000,0x00000000) I tried going into all the options that was offered to me including 'safe mode', but it won't even go to that.   I've been reading posts here, but can't seem to find the right solution for it. (I'm more confused now!) I have Dell Inspiron 9300 and of course, it's out of warranty. I also tried F12-> run diagnostics and it gave me this   DST Short status test: Fail Error code: 1000-0146 MSG: unit 0:IDE status failed. Status byte = 5d controlcode = 1 msg=no additional sense information   Does this mean HDD failure? I'm not that saavy with computer--if you can help me with not using too much computer lingo, I'd appreciate it so much!   Is replacing a HDD going to solve this problem and prevent this problem in the future? (I'm scared this may happen again to my new HDD eventually) If replacing a hard drive is the ultimate solution, please recommend me which HDD is good for my laptop. Thank you so much!

ejn63 · Answer

Yes, the hard drive has failed -- replace it and you'll fix the problem. If you're worried about the replacement, you should note that all drives eventually fail. You can use any EIDE (NOT SATA) drive 120 G or smaller, 2.5" and 9.5 mm high.

Message Edited by ejn63 on 10-01-2007 10:28 PM

dmhaight · Answer

Hello, I had the similar problem to the one listed here (see Unmountable_Boot_Volume Error Message) on the next page...   I went ahead and replaced the hard drive, which worked for the most part.  The sound components don't seem to be working (I installed the SIGMATEL driver), but still nothing.    I also purchased an EDIE UBS transfer drive, and attempted to move over the data on my old drive, but while the system recognizes the drive, it cannot read.  Any further thoughts on how my old data may be accessed???

ejn63 · Answer

The drive is likely too far gone for home recovery. As for the sound driver, did you install the chipset driver and Dell notebook system software before attempting to install any other driver?

stluka79 · Answer

Good luck with this one.  I just spent over an hour with tech support because my hard drive crashed this morning.  I have had my Inspiron notebook for only a MONTH and am so upset that I even thought about purchasing another Dell computer.  Never again will I spend the money to do so.  I have had 3 computers in 5 years from Dell and each one crashed way before it should have.  Atleast with my two desktops I got a year or so out of them but this laptop only lasting one month was my last straw.  To top it off they tell me 1 to 2 weeks for delivery of my new hard drive.  That means I am w/o a computer to do my business and school work for that length of time.

micca82 · Answer

Thanx for your help.   So all hard drives do fail (I wasn't aware of this till it happened :( . This is not just a problem specific to Dell comptuer, or any computer with XP? Gosh--I hate to keep buying new computer every 3-4 years.   This may be a repetitive question, but any recommendation on what (type of) computer (or operating system) has less chance of hard drive failure (or has longer hard drive life)? Does Apple computer have same problem?   Again, thank you all for your help!

ejn63 · Answer

All hard drives eventually fail. If you're worried about it happening again ( and it WILL happen, to all drives, in all systems, from all manufactures), buy an external drive and a copy of Acronis TrueImage and keep backups.

With any drive, in any system, your data is as safe as your latest backup.

Storage, Drives & Media

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