Unmountable_Boot_Volume Error Message

Question

Hello,  I have an Inspiron 600m laptop, and an unable to boot up the PC.  The PF8 key doesn't work, nor does ctrl-atl-del, and when I try to open it up in Safe mode or last configuration, it produces the same message:   UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME ***STOP: 0X000000ED (0x82F78E30, 0xc0000006, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)   I called the regular tech support line, and they had me press the FN key while powering up the PC, and I got to the custom test area.  I ran all the tests, and two of them failed.    The Read Test produced the following error:   Error Code = 0F00:0244 Msg: Block 87213132 Unrecoverable data error or media is write protected     The Verify Test produced the following error:   Error Code = 0F00:1A44 Msg: Block 87213132 Unrecoverable data error or media is write protected   Please advise.  Is there any way of bypassing this error message and restore my hard drive???

dmhaight · Answer

I also tried booting up with my installation (XP) disk, but that didn't work either.

ejn63 · Answer

No, the hard drive has physically failed and must be replaced.

It may be possible to recover some or all data from the drive. To try, remove the drive, mount it into a 2.5" EIDE external case, and attach it to a working system. See what you can copy from the drive.

ejn63 · Answer

1) How can you tell the hard drive has physically failed?

That's what the error messages you see from the diagnostics, mean.

2) How do you remove the hard drive? I've never really done it before. For my computer type, can you walk me through it?

Here's how you remove the hard drive:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins600m/en/sm/hdd.htm#1123687

3) How would I mount it to an external case? I have a working computer (obviously from the access to the message info here), but I don't really know how to attach an internal drive through external means.

You'll need something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193033

Attach to the working system by USB, take ownership of the files:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

And copy to your desktop.

You'll need a new, 2.5", EIDE (NOT SATA) drive, 9.5 mm high, up to 120G to replace the failed drive; once that's done, install it into the notebook, boot the XP CD, install WIndows, then Service Pack 2, then install the chipset driver and notebook system software, and finally all the other drivers (video, audio,modem, touchpad, etc.). Update Windows fully, reload your applications, and restore the data you copied.

dmhaight · Answer

Thanks for the reply.    I've a few of additional questions if I may...   1) How can you tell the hard drive has physically failed?   2) How do you remove the hard drive?  I've never really done it before.  For my computer type, can you walk me through it?   3) How would I mount it to an external case?  I have a working computer (obviously from the access to the message info here), but I don't really know how to attach an internal drive through external means.    Please advise.

dmhaight · Answer

Ok, thanks for your help.

dmhaight · Answer

Hello, so I went ahead and replaced the hard drive, which worked for the most part.  The sound components don't seem to be working (I installed the SIGMATEL driver), but still nothing.    I also purchased an EDIE UBS transfer drive, and attempted to move over the data on my old drive, but while the system recognizes the drive, it cannot read.  Any further thoughts on how my old data may be accessed???

Storage, Drives & Media

Unmountable_Boot_Volume Error Message

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