unmountable boot volume error..additional info from 11-4-07 post

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Guest

I have the error listed, not able to get into safe mode or anything..I post a
question nd get some help..I borrow a windows xp set up disk and start
computer so i can access recovery console...All is going ok so far..I get
where i need to be and type chkdsk c: /r and it starts scanning..after a few
hours it reads 53% completed and then another error lists " the volume
appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems"...so my question
is..am i out of options to fix this? will system restore be my only chance
at getting my desktop back up..i really hae to lose all my info I have on
it.. I'm not very computer savvy but can poke thru and follow along to try
and fix things..any more help is appreciated..Thank you.
 
Your drive may be DOA--I'd download the diagnostic utility from the drive
maker's web site and test the drive. If the drive fails the test, then its
a good bet that your drive is shot. If it is, I would put another drive in
the PC, load Windows to it and install all the patches and SPs. Then slave
up the old drive and transfer any needed data to the new hard drive.
 
A program called SPINRITE is pretty effective at recovering a drive from
such an error. The success rate, in general, is very high. Personally, I
have had excellent success with it.

An 'Unmountable Boot Volume' is generally caused by a bad area on the hard
drive that contains vital Windows files. SpinRite tests every sector of the
hard drive, and forces the hard drive to remap any bad sectors to a limited
number of "spare" sectors that every hard drive has. SpinRite then attempts
to recover any data that is contained within the bad sector(s), and moves it
to the remapped sectors. Usually not all of the data is recoverable
(depends on the extent of damage,) but most of it is. The data that is
recovered is usually enough to get the drive to boot again.

If you do get the drive to boot again, I'd follow the advice of a previous
poster (Ron Badour,) and download the diagnostic software from the hard
drive manufacturers website and test the drive. If it shows any part of the
drive as failing, back-up anything and everything you need (documents,
pictures, etc.) and buy your self a new hard drive immediately. If your
computer is still under warranty, the manufacturer should provide you with a
replacement hard drive at no charge.

SpinRite can be obtained here: http://www.grc.com
 
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