Hi

My computer has developed a problem. When I try and boot instead of getting into windows, I get a page with options; "Safe mode", "Safe mode with networking"....... etc. When I use any of the options I get a blue screen and the following message, "The computer has developed a fault and windows has shut down to protect your files........." The fault shown is "Unmountable_Boot_Volume". Then the message goes on to explain how to get into safe mode by pressing F8 etc, then disabling or switching off BIOS memory such as cache and shadowing. It also mentions that the problem could caused by new hardware or software added to the computer, but I haven't added anything to the PC.

What can be the problem and how do I sort it out? PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Many thanks

Chris

So this just happened with no apparent reason?

Is there a # associated with the boot volume error? (such as: STOP 0x000000ED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME)

Have you tried to: "disabling or switching off BIOS memory such as cache and shadowing"?

No luck with any safe mode options? Last good configuration? Restore?

Do you have your XP cd? Or an OEM recovery disk?

Is your Hard Drive old? suspect? have you run a diagnostic on it?

Hi Jephree,

The problem was quite abrupt, though the PC did become rather slow over the last couple weeks and it shut down unexpectedly once or twice. I have tried safe mode, last good config., but I cant get into Restore(maybe I just don't how). Also how how do I run diagonistic on my HDD if I can't boot (the HDD is not too old or suspect as far as I know). I do have my XP cd, (but no OEM Recovery disk), so I'll give that a shot. Yes there is a # associated with the error, but unfortunetly I don't have it with me right now. What I did notice is that the second set of #s kept changing each time I made a change in the BIOS. Also I can't seem to see any Cache or Shadowing, what screen should I go into?

There is the option to run system restore after you choose to boot into safe mode.

If you go to the site of your Hard Drive manufacturer you will find a diagnostic that is downloadable on any computer; then you create a floppy boot disk which you can boot you problem PC with.

Doing a repair install off the CD might be the quickest solution unless you want to track down the error codes. Here are some repair tips in these links:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/index.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

As to the BIOS they are so varied. I can only suggest searching thru all the options. Good luck.