Okay, I have been searching and trying to figure out what this is, but I have only found 1 page that even remotly looks like it could help and it's in German :( I guess I"m just unlucky when it comes to HD's. Anyway, I when I startup I get this UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUMR error. I'm not sure it has to do with XP, and I can't do anything to see. I don't have any other OS's on it. When I put a second drive in, it shows what has been updated, and what is currently there, and my main HD isn't listed there, so I'm guessing that it isn't being detected or something, but I can go to the boot manager (I dunno why it is even there, it also lists 2 Windows XP's) I've tried both windows XP things, no luck. If anyone can help, PLEASE DO, I have stuff on there I really need, figures this morning when I goto backup everything I get this error...

Is your hdd on ATA100? If so you need to press F6 when installing and load 3rd party drivers. The Win2k Promise drivers for ATA100
work with my ASUS A7V when installing WinXP.
try that

Gh0st:

I really need your help. i also have the asus a7v board with the built in ata 100 controller on it. I can get xp to load up when connected to teh ata 100 bus. when i try to install xp while on the ata 100 bus i get the blue screen tellimg be about the unmountable boot disk. i have intsalled xp while connected to the ata 66 slot no problem. when i switch to teh ata 100 slot after install it doesnt work. i tried to manually loadthe driver at install but ti tells me that xp hasa new driver that it wants to use. i dont know how to get xp to work while connected to the ata 100 bus.
any ideas? where did yo uget your driver?
thanks

Now i have got Athlon 1.4Ghz and Via KT266 motherboard with 512 DDR memory. When I install WIN XP i also get the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME.

I have got out of the PC SoundBlaster Live,SCSI card,LAN card but i still have this error. Disabling in BIOS some options don't gives anything. I think that this is problem of the CHIPSET.

HI,

I get the same problem yesterday but i do not know where it come from.

In fact, i have also installed LINUX and this one work well and did not crash.

I try tu use the repair option of XP installation, it did not work either.

If someone can help me, please e-mail me.

I have a new dell computer with 40 gb hd and 128 mb ram on P4 processor with xp. I got the error yesterday. I reloaded xp, and that fixed it. This time I can do it because I didn't have much data. But is it a common problem with xp? Is there some permanent fix?

I get this error after power-on-boot (not after restarts).

MS describes this issue in http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q297/1/85.ASP

I definitely have an 80-wire cable...

My temporary solution till next boot: Just go into system console (Systemwiederherstellungskonsole in German) - hope you installed it from CD! ;-) - and start "chkdsk /p" for all partitions. This will find some errors in NTFS and everything will wokrs fine - till next boot.

If you have further questions or perhaps a solution, feel free to mail me! - I will not check this list regularely, since I found it indidentially with Google.

Regards, Klaus Ondrich

I had the same problem too, using a UDMA100 40 gig HD, I got round it by loading the fail-safe default settings in my bios, and that allowed me to complete the installation, and reset my bios settings to optimal settings later.

win xp

Same s*it problem with A7V i thought it has to do with my SCSI COntroler... i removed it and i was able to install XP but from time to time it apppens again... dont know what to do...

Any hel would be gr8 :)

I would jus like to say that i solved my problem with an 80-wire cable...
I was using the old 40-Wire flat cable.

Regards

This is good to know other people have
had this probelm!

I also have an A7V board (1Ghz AMD
Chip) and I use the built-in ATA100
controller.

I upgraded to Win XP from Win ME and
everything seemed to work well for about
2 weeks. I then went to boot up and got
the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
error.

I didn't have a second HDD, so I booted
from the Win XP CD and tried the OS
repair -> no luck. It couldn't even read the
drive!

I ended up haveing to reformat and
reinstall. Interesing.... using a normal
NTFS format will fail stall at 86%. If I do a
quick NTFS format it works OK.

I use a Maxtor 30 GB drive, but I'm not
sure if I have an 80 pin cable connected.
Is there an easy way to tell?

Thanks for all the posts!

So Guys, solved this Problem 20 minutes ago.
Just boot with WIN XP CD, select repair installation and choose system rescue console (dunno exact english word, got a german OS), then type the above mentioned chdsk /p . I did so, but i guess my solution or rather what i did afterwards was the rescuing point. type FIXBOOT (for avalaible commands justg type HELP) then type the letter of the harddrive which contains the bootsector end press enter. The tool rewirtes the sector and the problem should be solved - well, it was solved in my case, but have a try. Hope I could help, for questions just write an Email. I'd also be glad if someone who used my solution or tried it, writes so i can see if i was able to help or not. Greetinx, CaLiMeRo

I am using an Athlon 1.33 on K7VZA motherboard, I have a 80-wire UDMA cable and this error only appeared after I messed with the jumpers on the Motherboard in an attempt to activate my front USB adapter, The computer Won't alloq me to access windows even in safe mode, I am trying to boot from the WIN XP CD, any help would be appreciated Microsoft adresses this problem at(http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q297/1/85.ASP)

Brad

The solution IS to boot from the CD, select repair to enter the recovery console, run dskchk, then type FIXBOOT X: when it asks if you want to rewrite the boot sector type y and push ENTER, then restart, and you should be golden, thank you to CaLiMeRo for presenting the solution

Brad

Thank you guys so much.
I tried the FIXBOOT and FIXMBR and those didn't work. I also tried disable UDMA and that didn't work either. THen i tried CHKDSK /R and that worked great! I haven't had any problems since.
My system:
pentium 3 550
40GB seagate
384 mb pc133 ram
geforce 3

I had a problem booting from my CD so I had to go to the Microsoft KB and download the files to create a bootable floppy. After successfully booting up I chose the repair option of setup and ran the chkdsk /r then ran fixboot c:\. You will need to make sure the XP CD is in to do this successfully. These two commands got me back to normal. Thanks to those of you who posted the above comments that helped me get my system back. I am running a PII 450, with 384 MB Ram.

Monty

I'm running an Acorp dual P3 800mz w/512mb ram with a raid 1+0; upgrading from 2000 to XP. The config and hunt for drivers more than challenging. A huge THANKS to all the above comments and a nice slap of the KISS method of troubleshooting.

I was using a 40 pin ribbon but XP didn't like it at all. The 80 pin along with the chdsk /r and fixboot c:\ (and lots of patience) seemed to do the trick. Thanks again to all of you who contributed to the above solutions.

everyone:

man, this is the kind of stuff you want to kick MS's ass about...I mean, they offer no support whatsoever on these obviously XP issue...just a short article that doesn't offer explaination much less solution.

I had the problem before too...I got Abit Th72 borard, P4 1.7, 512mb ram...80gig Seagate HD on master...9.6 Gig Quantum Bigfoot on slave...
here is my XP (experience):
1) I bought the board...first setup...no problem...but the board has problem reseting/shutting down, so I returned it for replacement
2) after weeks of arguement with dealer (googlegear.com never to buy from them again), I finally got a new board...then I just plug everything in (since my board was working, I actaully have a copy of XP still on my HD)...U_B_V error...and bluescreen
3) format...install...reformat...reinstall...won't work...
4) I am pissed, so I tried to go back to win2k...now, the win2k installation CD can't even format it claiming that the HDD has gone bad...
5) OKAY! Microsoft!, I am going to low-level format my HD RIGHT NOW!!!...well, after that it's working so far...

but I am going to take in some of the advises here on this forum such as buying a 80-conductor cable

GODD LUCK TO ME AND ALL OF YOU WHO'S PISSED AT MS RIGHT NOW!!!

nice one people! this is the second major error i have got with XP, both times i have come to these forums and got it fixed...

thanks again!

I've got the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME error
every time I turn the system on.

When I reset the system, everything's normal.

Using a ECS K7S5A Mobo. There are many people
having some odd turn/reset problems, but none
has reported the same error to my knowledge.

Also tried the quick boot on/off, no difference.

Mainly I'd like to decide whether to return
WinXP or the Mobo.

Let me know if you have a similar problem
or know how to fix it.

Thanks.

Martin

Hmm,

to report the problems I created for myself,
so that others can avoid them.

There's a microsoft support article on the
topic of the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME problem.

According to M$, XP 'detects' a bad cable.
I'll be damned if I can conceive a way to
distinguish those cables by SW, but M$ has
special resources apparently.

Anyway, after buying a 80 wire UDMA cable
and installing it _properly_ everything works fine now.

Don't do the following:
- stick the blue end onto the drive.
It's meant for the Mobo connector.
(Don't ask me, it _looks_ like a straight
cable, but doesn't seem to be one)
If the short end between the drives is not
long enough, get another cable!
Don't switch the ends!
- set your HD to cable select.
That will make/break your day when you
change the cable.
- set two drives to master and connect them
etc.
- don't make sure that the cables are
properly seated, don't have bent pins etc.

Anyway, I'm gone and XP works fine for me.

I just wish I could say the same thing for
Linux, the mouse and the sis900 driver on
my mobo.

Martin

my message got edited from here before, I was pretty upset with M$ for what seemed to be an out of the blue error.

I reinstalled 98, and then couldnt deal withit, too sad to give up what xp had offered.

so I put xp back on and have had no problems YET.

As I said, I got this error TOTALLY out of the blue.

so be smart and use two partitions.

I admit i had some hard shutdowns early in the install while configuring a second video card, but that was a few weeks before this happened.

I actually had the case cover back on my machine.

I will try these solutions if it happens again.

Very poor documentation on how to make a system restore floppy, anybody?

I intalled winxprescue recently, hope that will get me out if it happens again.

I could go on, but just reiterate that my error stills seems unprovoked.

take care

Boot to the Windows XP CD and choose repair. @ the command prompt type in Chkdsk /r and once finished reboot. all good...

I need help...i was running XP fine for about a month and a half and this happened...are all these suggested solutions for problems during install or after ?
Thanks

I just had to say thank you for all the information on this site. You guys have come to the rescue so many times and ask nothing in return. Thanks again

Yeah i have this problem too .. bloody M$ .. anyway i suspect i need an 80 pin cable but i was able to boot to safe mode, then from hardware manager, device settings change the drive access mode from DMA if available to PIO only. System now works, all be it slower. Will get a new cable and see if i can run DMA again. So how come it let me intall in DMA mode !!!

I received this message for the first time on Jan. 28. Have a new computer Dell 8200. (Seems to be the same one as Post #5 "sugata Ghosh" has.)

I have tried numerous times to reboot using the Recovery CD in the CD-ROM drive. I cannot get to the command line.

Any suggestions?

From Argentina in spanish.
Gracias, Muchas Gracias.!!!!
Thanks!!!!

i tried all the above with no luck - then i changed the IDE cable (it was 80 pin) for another and it fired up straight away.
TRY THAT FIRST !!!!
thanks to all.

ok computers are starting to piss me off.....
I installed xp pro.... and all was fine for about a month and a half. Then out of the blue when i boot it up this blue screen comes up saying UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME and it freezes......when i press f8 so i can try to put it into safe mode the same thing happens......same thing with the put it back to the way it was option. someone plz help me.... this computer is used as a server and it has to be back to normal asap Thanks..... Joe
ps... how can i boot from the xp cd? This blue screens seems to block everything....

I started getting this problem after a power failure. I tried all the suggested things on this page and when i did the Chkdsk /r it get to about 35% and tells me there are two or more unfixable problems on my drive or some crap. then when i go ahead and do the fixboot it looks like it fixes it and all but i get the same dam blue screen when i restart ahhh!!! i'm going to have to reformat and loose everything now thanks microsoft.

OK...I have tried all of the above and I still get the same smelly error. I know my IDE cable is fine and a can run it in safe mode. Chkdsk /r and /p and fixboot have made no difference.

I have and Athlon XP 2000
Abit KG7-RAID
IBM Deskstar 60 GB

I need my comp 4 my GCSEs!!!

Grrr @ Microsoft and their smelly software

You guys are the best.

I was ready to cry and beat the da*n laptop with a 2X4, but the comments about the chkdsk /r works.

Would talk more but I am going to back up all of my documents now.

Thanks agian