Unmountable Boot Volume error - cannot get into Safe mode to do anything!!!

Question

I have an Inspiron 6000 laptop computer with Windows xp.  I recently got one of those unmountable Boot volume errors.  I tried to follow instructions on the Dell web site to test the hard drive.  I did the cntrl alt D keys when the logo appeared, but it did nothing.  I try to go into safe mode, all I get is a bunch of lines listing win32 drivers, then it stops and hangs for a minute, then that darn blue error screen comes back.  How can I get into safe mode so I can do diagnostics and get this hard drive error or whatever it is fixed???

ejn63 · Answer

It is very likely the drive is failing and beyond repair. Boot, press F12, and load the Dell diagnostics. Run an extended test of the drive.

ejn63 · Answer

There may be, but you'll have to attach it to a working system to try if it won't boot - either externally or as a secondary internal drive.

Wregal · Answer

Thanks ejn.  I am running the extended test right now.  We will see what's up.   I've got all kinds of files I should have backed up onto a flash.  This computer has been weird for the past 18 months.  When I say weird, working good one minute, then slowing down or freezing up.  I've defragmented and did all the stuff you are supposed to do to improve performance with no improvement.    So if the hard drive is trashed, then there is no way I can get any files off of it?

Wregal · Answer

The computer is still running the diagnostic tests and this error was found - Error code 0F00: 1A44 msg block 6575732 uncorrectable data error or media is write protected.   Is this fixable?

Wregal · Answer

Gah!!!  Bummer!

clark_styx · Answer

try this one,insert your win xp cd,restart your computer press f12 to boot to cd/dvd rom drive,select specified drive,enter,press anykey to continue,youll see 'setup is loading files' after that press 'R' then enter so you will go to recovery console,selct os,press '1' then enter,for admin password,just leave blank,then enter,type 'chkdsk /r' then enter,restart

Wregal · Answer

Oh, some more error messages: error code 0F00:0244 msg block 6575732 and msg block 46204105.   Someone explain to me how to hook this Dell lap top up to my Gateway 834GM desk top so I can upload some files (pictures etc) that I would like to save. :(   Hard drives are supposed to last a minimum of 5 years as I hear.   The hard drive in my Dell is barely 3 years old.  I have an old IBM Aptiva with Windows 95 and that hard drive still works fine!!!

ejn63 · Answer

No. Mount the drive in an external case and attach it to a working system, or mount it as a secondary in a working system - or simply replace it, reload Windows, and do the same.

Back up what you can read.

The drive is well on its way to duty as a paperweight or recycling into your next new car's engine block.

Wregal · Answer

So you are saying that the hard drive is shot, and that I will not be able to boot up completely to Windows and my desktop?  :(

ejn63 · Answer

Back up the drive using another system - DO NOT try the repair on the internal drive. Doing so on a failing drive can make matters worse.

Wregal · Answer

I will try that.  What will that do if it works?

ejn63 · Answer

It will let you copy your data to the other system for recovery.

I would suggest buying an external case and two hard drives - one to replace the failing drive, and one to use in the case once you're back up and running, for backup purposes.

All hard drives fail - it's not a matter of if, but when.

Wregal · Answer

Oh besides the external zip drive I also have a flash drive.  I hope I can upload files to either of those.

Wregal · Answer

Ok, I have an external zip disk drive. Can I get files off of my defective dell hard drive onto that zip disk by using the suggestion above by clark?

ejn63 wrote:
It will let you copy your data to the other system for recovery.

I would suggest buying an external case and two hard drives - one to replace the failing drive, and one to use in the case once you're back up and running, for backup purposes.

All hard drives fail - it's not a matter of if, but when.

"try this one,insert your win xp cd,restart your computer press f12 to boot to cd/dvd rom drive,select specified drive,enter,press anykey to continue,youll see "setup is loading files" after that press "R" then enter so you will go to recovery console,selct os,press "1" then enter,for admin password,just leave blank,then enter,type "chkdsk /r" then enter,restart "

ejn63 · Answer

The point that you're missing is that the current drive will not boot. You MUST use a system with a drive that IS bootable, and attach the failed drive to it. Then you can use its hard drive, CD, DVD, ZIP, flash - whatever you wish - to back up the data.

You can't boot the drive in a system as it is - and while you may be able to use the recovery process, it's probably equally probable you'll take a drive that's on life support as is and pull the plug totally, so do this ONLY if you can afford to lose what's on the drive.

Storage, Drives & Media

Unmountable Boot Volume error - cannot get into Safe mode to do anything!!!

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