Unmountable boot volume

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rob
  • Start date Start date
R

Rob

Can anyone help with the above error message please

the background is that I tried to install a new 4 port
USB 2.0 PCI card - but it didn't work - sound from my
Audigy 2 was all distorted and every action on the PC
slowed to a crawl and eventual dead halt

I wondered if it was a conflict with the other 2 port PCI
USB card I had installed so took that out and put the 4
port one in its place

Then I started getting the above error on booting

I've tried putting the 2 port card back in, and removing
both cards altogether - no joy

I don't know how to install the USB card(s) in device
manager as there are so many entries for USB I don't know
which is which

I have a second HD which I can boot from but it is very
small and I would like to sort out the main drive

Any suggestions please? .... and any idea why the USB
problem in the first place??

Rob
 
Thanks Michael - but I don't understand how this helps -
I haven't done anything with the HDD - the cable is the
one I've always used

Rob
 
Yes, it's likely the cable that came with the system. If it is a 40 pin
cable, it was working but was an accident waiting to happen. As your system
changes, demands change and various items that were marginal get pushed over
the edge. You need to have that cable checked if, for no other reason, to
rule it out as the culprit. However, if it is a 40 pin cable, it is likely
the source of the issue.
 
Hi Michael

Well I'm afraid I have no idea how to tell whether I have
a 40 pin or 80 pin cable so I had another look at the
article you sent me the link for.

the error message I get fits the bill for the file system
being damaged - see 2nd bullet of 'Cause'.

And in fact when I booted from my D drive (second HDD
with another xp installation)checkdisk ran .... but it
found no problems. On rebooting still get the error for
file system damage - I'm confused !

What about uninstalling the USB drivers for the new card
I tried to install ? But how do I now which drivers are
which in device manager?

Regards

Rob
 
A technician would be able to tell you about the cable and that is the most
likely cause. Even if you manage to get past this and the system rebounds,
if the hard drive is using a 40 pin cable, this is an accident waiting to
happen and the issue will arise again. It may not be the issue but it is
important to rule that out.

Uninstalling the USB drivers might resolve it but the underlying cause would
remain.

You really don't need to know which drivers, you can remove them all and
reboot, the system will find the hardware and reinstall the drivers.
However, if you are going to do that, shutdown the system after you delete
the drivers and remove the card then boot the system letting it find the
remaining hardware. I don't think you need to remove the Universal USB host
controller in device manager, just the other drivers.
 
Hi again Michael

I hate to be a pain - but I seem to be frustrated at
every turn on this one.

I have tried today to get an 80 pin IDE cable but I can't
find one anywhere. Tried PC World which is fortunately
just down the road and they didn't have one or know what
I was talking about. Then tried a load of online UK
stores that I use for other PC components and still can't
find even one - either there is no indication of the pins
or they are all 40 - occasionally some are 80 wire but I
understand that is not the same thing.

Any clues on what to look for please?

Rob
 
Hi again Michael

Well I got an 80 wire cable but that hasn't solved it.

I wanted to try the other solution in the KB article -
using recovery console but have hit a snag

It only lists the D: drive to recover not C: which is the
one with the problem

How do I get round this one?

Regards

Rob
 
Did you try using the fixboot option instead of chkdsk/r?

Or try the following and then try the fixboot option:

At the prompt type bootcfg /rebuild and press enter.

If that fails, try a repair install as follows:

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.
 
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