stop error-blue screen

Question

Dell 8400, Win XP home ed., 3.00 Ghz, 1 GB ram.

Guess I've got big trouble on my desktop so I on my lapatop looking for help.

I was defragging and although computer sounded like it was trying to process something, it seemed that it stalled in defrag while moving a very big file. Task mgr said it was still running, but after 2 hours, I quit defrag. It sounded like computer was trying to process something and nothing was in task mgr. I waited awhile and tried to shut down, but it wouldn't, so I shut it off with the power button.

Now I get Windows and then a blue screen, long message about check hardware and software being properly installed.

I restarted and got another blue screen with option, among others, to try to launch Windows, which I tried but it went back to blue screen.

I hope I got this explained correctly. It all turned into a blur after awhile.

The error message was pretty long as you can imagine, so this isn't verbatim-but very close.

'If this is the first time you have tried to restart and you get this message, restart again.

If this message comes up again:

check new hardware or software to see if properly installed. If this is a new installation, (it isnt), ask the hardware or software mfgr for windows updates it may need.

If it continues, disable or remove newly installed hardware/software.

Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.

If you need safe mode to remove or disable, restart and press F8 to select advanced options and select safe mode.'

This stop message was at the bottom of the error..

STOP 0x000000ED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME" Error Message

The MS support help suggests starting from XP cd, but none came with this unit. Also, how do I know if I have dual or multiple boot?

tia-Judy

mombodog · Answer

Hard shutdown like that are never recommended, but I understand they cannot be avoided sometimes, but this does not reduce the risk of doing it.   Sounds like you tried to do the right thing by checking task manager first before the hard shut down.   There is no good method for a hard shutdown, some recommend watching the hard drive activity light to settle down and stop blinking before doing this, not fool proof either.   I was not saying you did anything wrong, but rather what the consequences of those actions can be.   It is never good to do this, but sometimes there is No choice..   I suspect your hard drive has died myself.

mombodog · Answer

One of 2 things happened.   1. The hard drive died during the defrag process, I have seen this numerous times, most likely the cause, especially if it is a Maxtor brand hard drive. Replace the drive and install Windows, I hope your data is backed up, because it is gone.   2. You corrupted the file system by using your shutdown method during defrag, not good either.   Try this First, if it fails to work, you will have to reinstall Windows if the drive is not dead.   http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=5097    post back the results of the attempt of the chkdsk described in the link.

wright73 · Answer

My data is backed up but have some dl'd programs that I'll be spending  a day downloading again-drat!! I didn't think I was shutting down during defrag because nothing was in my task mgr. What are you supposed to do to shut down if hard drive doesnt stop working?

wright73 · Answer

Well, you were right. Hard drive was a Maxtor. Yup, it's gone. I called Dell and they confirmed it. I'll never defrag again! I'll take it to my sisters' technician and get him to help me now. Thanks! Judy

mombodog · Answer

No, defragging is necessary, the old Maxtor drives were cheap, and dropped like flies. Not because of defrag, rather they were junk from the date of manufacture. The drive would have failed very soon anyway, defrag just hurried things up a bit.   Maxtor is now owned by Seagate, and the New Maxtor drives are OK.

wright73 · Answer

Good to know. You sure sound like you know your stuff.   Thanks again for the great information. I go to the shop tomorrow.   I spent the last night tallying up all the downloads I need to do now, and a few files I need to re-create.   btw-How do I get back my downloaded programs (no cd) and pre-bundled OS programs?   After 5 hours of video editing, I now have to dl'd the program before I can even do another capture, and then re-edit! Do you think all that work taxed out my 'lousy' hard drive to cause it to eventually fail later that day?   questions, questions. hmm....now if only you were my neighbor. ;-) Judy

mombodog · Answer

'btw-How do I get back my downloaded programs (no cd) and pre-bundled OS programs?'   Download them again , no way to recover preinstalled software, unless they are on CD and came with the PC.   'Do you think all that work taxed out my 'lousy' hard drive to cause it to eventually fail later that day?'   No, like I keep saying, those Maxtor's of that vintage were bad quality from the day they were born.     'hmm....now if only you were my neighbor. ;-)'   who knows you might be and not know it   :smileywink:   I have heard of stories where 2 people date online for months and discover they live next to each other in an apartment building, crazy stuff. Wouldn't that be funny, hated each other as neighbors, loved each other online  :smileyvery-happy:

Narind · Answer

Don't worry about defragging killing your drives. If you drive has no other issues, then defragging won't harm it. Regular defrags as part of a maintainence routine are good to keep performance levels up. Also, if you do a proper thorough defrag and then follow it up with regular defrags (every one or two weeks) then the defrags won't take much time apart from the first one.   Your drive died because it was a Maxtor, not because of a defrag per se. Although defrag pushed it over the edge in this case, it would have failed very soon anyway with continued disk activity of any sort.   I am not exaggerating, but I bought 4 maxtors around early-mid 2005, and all 4 failed within 5 months. And my experience is not isolated!. At one time, Maxtors were good drives, but the last few years they have been total rubbish. I have a 10GB Maxtor ATA/33 from 1999 that still runs!!! These days I would not even put a maxtor in my system even if it is free. I prefer Hitachi and proper Seagates, which are reliable and high performance.

wright73 · Answer

Narind..   the shop I am taking pc to uses Western Digital HD-comments on that one??   I am so discouraged by Dell now. I've had 3 machines from them and always expected quality parts to be in them. Live and learn.   Judy

mombodog · Answer

Seagate has 5 year warranty, WD has 3  both good quality drives.

wright73 · Answer

'btw-How do I get back my downloaded programs (no cd) and pre-bundled OS programs?'   Download them again , no way to recover preinstalled software, unless they are on CD and came with the PC.     Is this a silly question.... If all the programs I lost (MS office, Paint Shop Pro, My DVD etc.) were all registered to me, can I dl'd them from the vendor n/c?

wright73 · Answer

Yes, I will do that.   Sorry if I seem to be a bit blank, but I've never crashed before. I will remember this experience and definately have learned from it. Thanks for all your information and time mombodog.   Judy

mombodog · Answer

1.Microsoft Office, no you cannot download it, you need the CD and the Key you purchased.   others that were preinstaled by Dell cannot be downloaded either, you should have recieved the CD's when you purchased the System from Dell.   You can Call Dell and request them, see what they say.

Narind · Answer

I think WD are good drives. Seagate, Hitachi and WD are all usually quite reliable, but then there is always an element of luck involved with the particular unit you get. I have used WD only rarely, but I haven't had any problems from those drives. My personal preference is Seagate (5 yr warranty) > Hitachi / Western Digital.

wright73 · Answer

update:

I received the 'Operating System CD' from Dell, as promised.

Get this: they also sent me 'software for re-installation cd's' for the bundled software, utilities, drivers and more-7 cd's in all.
Of course, they also ask that I send back to them, the defective part (HD) or they will charge me for the software.
Understandable, I guess. They need to know I'm not scamming them.

I don't think a lot of people would agree but I think it was good of Dell to do that.

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stop error-blue screen

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