Windows XP won't load, getting error messages

Question

I'm getting the dreaded blue screen when I try to start up my laptop, telling me that Windows couldn't load, suggesting it could be new hardware or software.  Since I haven't put either on my computer lately, I have to assume it's spyware.  When I try to proceed, I get a message 'unmountable boot volume' and a bunch of other characters. (sorry, I'm doing this from work and can't remember the codes).  I've tried looking up a number of solutions on-line, but they all seem to involve at least being able to start up the computer, or get to a command prompt and I can't do that even in safe mode right now, it just won't load.  I tried using what my husband said was a boot disc from his computer, but it didn't do anything. (I'm not sure if it was a boot disc, it just looked like a Windows XP installation disc, but maybe they're the same thing).  I don't have a floppy drive, just a CD drive,  can XP boot from a CD?  I hope my hard drive isn't completely lost.  Any help is much appreciated, thanks!

Rollie_R · Answer

trekkiegirl,   Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.   You can boot to the Windows XP CD.  You may want to try booting to the CD and doing a Repair Installation.  Hit F12 when you see the prompt, and then choose to boot from the CD-Rom drive.    If you have any problems, then run the hard drive test from the Dell Diagnostics.  That should tell you if there is a hardware problem with the drive.

trekkiegirl · Answer

Thank you SO much, I used the boot disk, ran a chkdsk /r and got my laptop up and running again!

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