Sounds like a HD problem. I would boot into the diagnostics (F12 at boot) and run them. If the HD has failed generally your only recourse is to replace it.
You can also check for loose cables to the HD inside.
Unmountable Boot Volume error is due to the Data Read error in the hard drive, caused when file system is damaged and cannot be mounted.
If you have important Data in the Hard drive, you can go ahead and perform CHKDSK /R, it can resolve the issue many times.
To perform CHKDSK /R, you need to have XP [Operating system CD].
Perform following steps:
1)Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive.
2)Shut down the system.
3)Press the power button to restart your system.
4)Press the F12 key when the Dell BIOS splash screen appears.
5)A boot menu appears.
6)Use the arrow keys to select CD-ROM Drive from the list.
7)The prompt Press any key to boot from CD... appears.
8)Press the Spacebar.
9)The Welcome to Setup dialog box appears.
10)Press the R key to load the Recovery Console.
11)Select the number that is associated with the Windows installation you want to log on to, then type the administrator password (or press press the Enter key if no administrator password exists).
12)In the Recovery Console, type CHKDSK /R and press the Enter key.
13)The prompt Are you sure? appears.
14)Press the Y key and then press the Enter key.
It might take 10-30 minutes, depending on the HDD Size.
If you do not have Important Data, I recommend go for complete Operating system reinstallation, For XP reinstalltion, check this link:
Are you sure you tested the HD in the diagnostics? Did you run the extended tests? It sure sounds like you have HD problem and the extended tests will try reading/writing the entire HD.
You can Contact Dell and get the XP CD for your system[ If XP was ordered and shipped along the system, they can send the CDs ], you can chat with Dell technician using this link :
Booting to the cd to try to repair the blue screen is still a very good option since the hard drive passed the diagnostics. So ask for the cds, then try the chkdsk /p which is faster, then try as well fixboot c:.
PETER345
5.8K Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 15:00
You can also check for loose cables to the HD inside.
Peter
Ms_Sara
31 Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 15:00
PETER345
5.8K Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 18:00
Peter
Takshak
11 Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 18:00
1)Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive.
2)Shut down the system.
3)Press the power button to restart your system.
4)Press the F12 key when the Dell BIOS splash screen appears.
5)A boot menu appears.
6)Use the arrow keys to select CD-ROM Drive from the list.
7)The prompt Press any key to boot from CD... appears.
8)Press the Spacebar.
9)The Welcome to Setup dialog box appears.
10)Press the R key to load the Recovery Console.
11)Select the number that is associated with the Windows installation you want to log on to, then type the administrator password (or press press the Enter key if no administrator password exists).
12)In the Recovery Console, type CHKDSK /R and press the Enter key.
13)The prompt Are you sure? appears.
14)Press the Y key and then press the Enter key.
It might take 10-30 minutes, depending on the HDD Size.
If you do not have Important Data, I recommend go for complete Operating system reinstallation, For XP reinstalltion, check this link:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Ms_Sara
31 Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 20:00
PETER345
5.8K Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 20:00
Peter
PETER345
5.8K Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 20:00
Peter
Ms_Sara
31 Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 20:00
Takshak
11 Posts
0
November 16th, 2007 21:00
Performer
21 Posts
0
November 17th, 2007 05:00