Computing.Net > Forums > Windows XP > Unmountable boot device

Computing.Net: Over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Over 90% answered within 24 hours! Click here to sign up now, it's free!

Unmountable boot device

Reply to Message Icon

Original Message
Name: computergeek101
Date: September 3, 2007 at 09:40:50 Pacific
Subject: Unmountable boot device
OS: Windows XP
CPU/Ram: 256
Model/Manufacturer: IBM Thinkpad
Comment:

My laptop keeps restarting itself. It won't even get into Windows before I get a blue screen saying UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_DEVICE. Plus some other stuff. After this it starts over, and is on an infinite loop. I've tried starting up in the "Last Previous Configuration that Worked" and in Safe Mode but they both do the same thing. You can see a video of the situation in the first link. You can see a picture of that blue screen in the second link.. Yes the quality isn't great but if you squint you can read it and if you set the video on loop you get the idea of whats happening.... Any ideas?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RrAkdo5QgXQ
http://www.freewebs.com/computergee...
Tyler


Report Offensive Message For Removal


Response Number 1
Name: Walter Mitty
Date: September 3, 2007 at 09:42:54 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 2
Name: aegis
Date: September 3, 2007 at 11:21:07 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

My guess is a hard drive problem. If you have a hard drive diagnostic run it. Otherwise download one from the IBM/Lenovo site.

A memory problem is another posibility.

Memory test
http://memtest86.com/
There is a version to create a bootable floppy diskette and/or an ISO for creating a CD.
Run it overnight and any failures are unacceptable.


Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 3
Name: dondreak
Date: September 3, 2007 at 18:40:44 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Bootup to your Windows CD or a boot CD. Pick the Repair option from the initial Windows install menu, (before it asks you to confirm you read the license). Pick the Command prompt option. Pick 1 (C partition), then run chkdsk /r or /f. Let that run, you may be fine but you should backup your data. Your drive may be going bad.


Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 4
Name: aegis
Date: September 3, 2007 at 20:06:04 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Excellent advice from dondreak. The chkdsk /r option is a very good test of the drive, but be aware that it can take hours on a large drive.


Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 5
Name: computergeek101
Date: September 4, 2007 at 06:53:01 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

All your help is appreciated, what I finally ended up doing was almost exactly what you said. I ran chkdsk /p and then fixboot from the recovery console. I used the instructions found here:

http://www.techtips4u.com/kb/sw/SW0...

That seemed to do it. Computer is back up and running!
Thanks.

Tyler


Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal







Post Locked

This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.


Go to Windows XP Forum Home








Do you own an iPhone?

Yes
No, but soon
No


View Results

Poll Finishes In 7 Days.
Discuss in The Lounge
Poll History




Data Recovery Software