My laptop has recently died and refuses to boot into Windows XP. The error message I receive is "Unmountable Boot Volume", I have done some searches on the internet and tried a few things but still can not get it to boot / fdisk / format or re-install.
This is what I have tried so far: -
* Booting with Windows 98 and deleting partition and creating a new one with fdisk - deletes partition but freezes when trying to create new one and when computer is reset old (deleted) partition is still there?
* Removed Laptop hardrive and tried to boot as an additional drive in another machine - just kept freezing the other machine?
* Booted into Windows XP Recovery console and tried chkdsk /r - get to around 39% and then stops saying that there are un-recovereable errors.
* Booted Windows XP installation disc and tried to install a new setup - failed with an error on hard drive?
Is there anything else I can try before buying a new hard drive?
2006-07-24 19:57:51 · 9 answers · asked by HEATON2000 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
buy new one
2006-07-24 22:57:07 · answer #1 · answered by hardware_guy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Answers to your points:
1. Windows 98 Boot disk will not work with Windows XP - WinXP uses a different Files System.
2. Have you placed it in an Enclosure - do the laptop hard drive acts as an external drive?
3. "Fixmbr" repairs the startup partition's master boot code. The variable device is an optional name that specifies the device that requires a new Master Boot Record.
Or
"Fixboot" writes a new startup sector on the system partition.
Type "Fixmbr /?" for info. Without the Quote Marks.
4. You may have the errors because of your point 1. Try Step 3 to fix the boot sector.
If all fails, get a new hard drive.
2006-07-28 02:00:31 · answer #2 · answered by cho 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why to solve the equation of the universe if you can simply replace it by buying a new hard drive.
If you removed the your laptop hard drive to another machine and it did not work well for you. Just forget it.
Just Buy a New One.
PS:
Check Out that any other component will not be the cause of the damage of your Hard Drive. What went wrong? is always good to answer.
2006-07-25 03:40:35 · answer #3 · answered by theWiseTechie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you've exhausted all options. The last resort would be using a Win98 boot disk to format, but if you can't even do that I'd say the drive is dead.
2006-07-24 20:03:13 · answer #4 · answered by Kevin B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Create a XP Start up disk and then push it in and on you system and then after it goes with the start up disk type format c:/s and format anyother partions which are available...
If you need any more help regarding this feel free to contact me...
my email: designursite@yahoo.com
ID: designursite
Take it easy... before buying a new one...
2006-07-24 21:35:53 · answer #5 · answered by Web-designer © 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have used programs that will repair the bad sectors but that is only a temp fix so you can try to salvage data. Your drive is very defective and will need to be replaced in order to operate at normal speeds and capacity.
You did a good job of trying to self diagnose, but this one has bit the bullet.
2006-07-25 04:36:42 · answer #6 · answered by isellgum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd buy a new hard drive if it is giving you that much trouble. They aren't very much and they are completely worth it.
2006-07-24 20:00:38 · answer #7 · answered by shmifty__14 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there's a program recover my hard drive that fixes bad sectors
2006-07-24 20:06:52 · answer #8 · answered by keith b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hard drive has bit the dust...don't waste anymore time on it.
2006-07-24 23:53:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋