unmountable boot disk error

Question

need help!   my desktop is showing that dreaded blue screen with error 'unmountable boot disk' i have gone through the forum postings and kinda understand what needs to be done to check my hard drive.  However, in order to execute chkdk /r i have to be at dos prompt.  i cannot get to that prompt.  I have tried F2 and F12 but i dont know how to get to 'recovery safe mode.'  everytime i try safe mode option it returns to the blue screen please help

dassy · Answer

I would recommend that you press F8 and select the disk check, after the disk check the system should automatically run into the safe mode. Hope this helps     Dassy

shesagordie · Answer

dustydustydusty

UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME has two causes, one is software, but the other most common cause, is a failed hard drive.

Try running Dell diagnostic's extended test [not the express test] on the hard drive.

Bev.

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Tech.Markie · Answer

Bev is correct.. It could either be a software (OS) or hardware issue (HDD)..   You might want to try doing diags on your HDD. When you start your computer, and when you see the blue Dell logo, please tap F12.. then a menu comes up.. select the 'IDE Drive Diagnostics' or 'Hard disk Drive Diagnostics'.. this will take you just about 90 secs.. Take note on the result of the test for Drive 0..  If it gives you an error message other than 'Return Code 7', your hard drive is shot.   If it is Return Code 7, then you might want to 'repair' your OS thru the Recovery Console. This will require you to use your Windows XP CD.. boot from it, same thing.. upon startup, tap F12, then select 'Onboard CD/DVD Rom Drive'.. then press 'Enter' when you see 'Press any key to boot from CD..' the OS CD would start to load up.. then it will say 'Welcome To Setup'.. at the bottom of the screen, it will show [Enter = Setup R=Repair using recovery console], you will use 'R'.. then upon seeing the C:\Windows> type 'CHKDSK /P /R' -- this stands for Check Disk, /p = thorough search, /r means repair..  after that, type EXIT, then restart your computer.. boot to windows.. if ask which option, just select 'Boot to Windows Normally'..

Storage, Drives & Media

unmountable boot disk error

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