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unmountable boot volume

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by dorisno1

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Hi please bear with me as this is a biggyHey, Yesterday I turned on my laptop,the windows screen started up with the blue bar under the word windows, loading. Then the **** thing just went off and re started..... I have pressed f8 and restarted in every which way suggested,but to no avail. In desperation I tried the recovery. This just took me to a blue screen with "unmountable_boot_volume" at top and several things below such as if this is the first time you have seen this screen then please re start computer etc. It suggests to remove bios and such but the thing is I cant get anything else,apart from what I have described, to happen...Please any suggestions as to what I can do.I am on my works computer now and am not capable enough to begin removing hard drives and do not want to have to use this one for anything other than maybe a downloadable "fix it" programme lol on blushing.gif I am using a hp 510 notebook with windows xp 2000 service pack two,by the way. Any way some how or other i managed eventually to access the recovery this time with the option of formatting the hard disc,as this is only my recreational computer I decided that ok lets go. It then asked me to insert recovery disc one(which luckily I had) so i did. I have reached number 8 and come to a stand still. Now all i get when i turn off and on again is the recovery asking for disc 8 which then does nothing or f10 rom based set up which when chosen asks for an administrators password which I dont have Please if anyone can help I will be eternally grateful I am not a Bill Gates and getting more upset by the second!!! I apologis efor the long question but its just so I cover everything

41 replies

by Former member

http://www.spotmau.com/products/package/full.htm?SSAID=196475
Just burn this to a disk and run this when you power on. When you did the recovery you need to let it run its course, it might seam to not do anything but it is, so before you do anything else, do a re-install of the system like you had in your post but let the new/re-install run.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Hi thanks for that I will try At disc 8 it says 0 % though? I have turned off and on again and it asks to load disc 8 which i do then it says 0 %??? Im sorry to be a pain!!

by oh smeg

The first thing if I understand you correctly is that you are attempting to install Windows 2000 from Floppies is that correct?

If that is the case contact HP and get them to send you a CD Install Disc.

While I don't think that this is the current problem testing the HDD would certainly not hurt to prevent you wasting your time if it is faulty. You can Download Sea Tools from Seagate here

http://tinyurl.com/yvq99t

Make a Disc and then boot your NB off the Windows Boot Disc, when you see the A Prompt remove the Windows Boot Disc and insert the Disc with Sea Tools on it and type in [b]dir/w[/b] Look for the exe file that is displayed on the screen and then type in the EXE files name and press enter. You are now running Seatools and this will test your HDD so select the test type being Full, Though or whatever it is called but do the full test and wait for the drive to finish being tested. If it passes there isn't a problem but if it fails don't pay too much attention to the error codes as you are unsure what brand of Hard Disc is inside the NB and the error reports may be incorrect. Take it to your preferred repairer and get them to fix the computer.

If it passes wait for HP to supply you with the Install CD nd then enter BIOS and change the Boot Order to Floppy, CD Drive then HDD and save on exit. Insert the CD and reboot the system. When you see the Push Any Key to Boot off CD message on the screen push a key and wait for the system to start the install procedure. Work your way through the install procedure and when the system needs to restart do not push any key or you will return to the beginning again you need to allow the system to Boot off the HDD on the first restart and any subsequent ones that occur. But Do Not Remove the Install Disc as it will be needed during the install.

If you are personally uncomfortable with any of the above take the NB to a repair shop and get them to repair it.

Col

by dorisno1

Hi thanks for the above ... install from recovery discs i made when i first got the laptop....is there a password set to all xp systems when you f10 install???

by oh smeg

NO there isn't. Secondly as doing a recovery isn't a native Install option for XP this is not a windows issue it is something brought about by the system maker not the software or OS running on the system.

While you may have made your Recovery Disc's that doesn't mean to say that they are working and by the sounds of things the Disc 8 was it isn't. Your only option from here is to get onto the System Maker HP if I remember correctly and get the right Install Disc for your System. This is a CD with not only the OS but all the loaded software that was supplied new.

Col

by swlchris

Hi
After so many of these messages seen , I usually use a cdrom utility called hirens or any other cdromutility to check the physical hard drive for bad or reallocated sectors. half the time it's a failed hard drive that causes these problems. The manufacturers cd utilities might also find this for you , just depends on what you use.
If you try to use recovery cd's on a defective drive we will be seeing another post very soon from you . so check that first :)

by dorisno1

Hi I cant check the hard drive though as it wont let me!! boo hoo

by Former member

Recovery for HP notebook 510

1) Initiating a recovery from the hard drive recovery partition.

To initiate a recovery from the hard drive recovery partition, follow these steps:
1. Restart the computer, and then press f11 before the Windows operating system loads.
2. Click a recovery option, and then click Next.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
If ok then fine, if not then the hdd has gone and you will need a new one.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Hi me again....sorry but think my problem has just grown!!! I have successfully finished disc 8,ha ha, but now its asking for 9,I dont have a 9???? Also the only option I get now when re starting is recovery as its not yet complete!!! What a mess Im ever so sorry, Any ideas???

by Former member

Then you will not be able to carry on any further. The only way you can do this is to get windows XP disk and put this onto your laptop, the other drivers are on the HP website for you to download, it would be a good idea to download these drivers for XP now so when you have bought the disk you will not need to hunt all over the place.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Oh dear!!! Could you tell me what I'm supposed to download driver wise please..... If i used the xp disc would it be able to be restored??

by Former member

If you have then your best bet (just in case) is to get another hdd put into your laptop. from there you can then install Windows Xp. Then you will need to put on your drivers for XP:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?prodNameId=3316193&lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=3316189&taskId=135
On the above link there are drivers for XP PRO for your model, this is the best (XP PRO) to buy. It will be quite cheap to buy.
when all of your drivers are on then you need a hdd case/caddy that will fit your laptop (old drive) drive, make sure that it will be a powered version I:E, plug in the mains type. From there you should be able to access your files and folders. Hopefully you have not done too much damage to the data on there. If you have then you will not be able to get your data, though there are software that can get data off the drive such as yours, but it does cost. More info here:
http://www.runtime.org/

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by Former member

I will be coming over to England in June sometime. I can do the re-install of your software. Also get the data off your drive with my software. But then that is up to you.. Or get it done through a shop that you know. Just a suggestion. If you want me to do it then send me a e-mail with your phone number, and we can talk more.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

HI um I have nothing on there at all from what I can make out,all I can manage is to turn on and it straight away goes to recovery I dont even think that windows os is even on there anymore!!!!

by Former member

The laptop drivers from HP.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Ok lovely I dont suppose that I can get that as a free download anywhere can I only money is tight!!!!

by Former member

The only other way is to see if you can get the install disks from HP, you will need to call them and plead with them and say that your cat eat the disks or the disks are broken, something along those lines. :)
There is an alternative and that is a linux disk like Ubuntu, it is about 700mb download though, you can download this and burn this to disk with a ISO burner:
http://www.ntfs.com/iso-burning.htm
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Oh wow this is getting confusing haha I have downloaded the iso thingy and saved to a disc is this right? im currently downloading the other thing........god I must sound so stupid!!

by oh smeg

HP in the States charges about $20.00 US for one of these and I would imagine about 10 Pounds in the UK or there abouts.

As for downloading XP there is no legal way of doing this and any downloads that you may find are likely to be infected/loaded with Spyware and so forth. If you where to use one of these you place at risk your Identy and Bank Accounts and so on. As it is possible to steal this from your computer with Key Loggers and so forth. Every Key Stroke is likely to be transmitted outside the moment that you log onto the Net.

The cheapest alternative is to buy from HP the Recovery Set.

Col

by mr.wiz

One of the best ways I've found to fix this error is to boot with something like UBCD4Win and then run chkdsk c: /f /r, that will usually fix any of the file errors that can cause this problem.
If this doesn't work, you may have a bad HDD (especially if you get some hardware errors from the chkdsk).

by dorisno1

Hi thanks for the advice but because I ve already started the recovery every time i turn the laptop on now it goes straight to recovery and asks for recovery disc 9!!!! grrrrrrrrr no job for me at microsoft!!

by Former member

Just make sure that the ISO thingy is stored on your desktop and when the other download such as Ubuntu is finished then you should be able to burn Ubuntu with this ISO thingy. :)
Hope all is going ok..

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by Former member

Sorry i did not make this clear. When you download this ISO burner, it resides on your harddrive so when you download anything that is related in a ISO format such as Ubuntu Linux, this iso thungy sees it and then you can burn the Linux disk with it. When all is finished with the burning of the disk, just boot your computer with this (Ubuntu) disk in and you should see the new operating system on your computer, now when you install it you will have to put in a Admin password, but do not forget this as you will be asked for it if you need to put anything on/in the system.
Then you can play around with the system to get used to the functions and the where abouts of the files such as Office or the internet. Learn more here:
http://www.linux.com/articles/54945
Hope this helps you.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Lol i have now got the iso on desktop 18% of the other thing is done!! its the bit after that that worries me. Will this still be windows??? Im such a novice!!just thought will anything load seeing as im partially through doing a recovery???

by Former member

If you have not used Linux before this might seam strange, but this Ubuntu Linux is one of the easy ones to get used to, there are many others but we will go one step at a time here. What ever you can do on Windows you can(nearly) do on Linux (with in reason). Plus you will be more secure with less trouble with malware or viruses. In Ubuntu the desktop and the applications will be in a different place that you are used to, but do not worry, this is very straight forward, the applications I:E: office are on the top of the desktop, so this you will need to get used to. Once you know your way around you will be laughing. LOL :)

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Really ....... I hate change hahaha oh well my own silly fault,shame i cant get windows off of this computer though?!!!!

by Former member

So you do not have to worry there. Ubuntu will sort out Windows and you will see a new system. I know what you mean by not liking changes but in your circumstances this is the only option really. But, put it this way at least all is not lost and your laptop will be working although a bit differently. And if/when you have money you can install Windows XP on your laptop, look at it as a stop gap. You need the laptop working but you do not have the money for Windows so with Ubuntu your laptop will be working with open office on-board, try that with Windows?. And all with a simple download. :)

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by oh smeg

If you don't work in this field you are not expected to know how things work.

Just the same as a Doctor etc is different and you are not expected to be a Medical Expert when going to a doctor because you are sick. This industry is different and we don't expect people to know it all.

That is why so many of us try to help when asked.

Besides the silly people don't ask for help and make such a mess of things that it's very hard to help them when they are abusing you for what they have done. :D

I haven't seen any of that here and I don't expect to either.

Col

by oh smeg

And one of us will help you out.

You will notice some differences and things will be slightly different with different programs to use but it will be perfectly workable and shouldn't give any install problems.

So it should just be a matter of inserting the Disc and following the prompts.

You may need to change the Boot Order in BIOS to CD as the first Boot Device and HDD as the second but no other problems. We'll try to walk you through the differences when you hit them.

Cheers

Col

by dorisno1

Hi all,firstly I just wanted to thank all of you so so much for all the advice and help you have given me,its very much appreciated. Secondly,now dont be mad!, how does this sound? I have just spoken to my local computer shop and the guy in there said I can take laptop in and they can reload windows xp with all the updates etc and compatable drivers blah blah blah so the whole system is running smoothly for ?40 gbp?? Does that sound a good deal? Also said that it could be a broken hdd which they could replace with all the above for ?83 gbp,they would notify me first if this was the case! Does this all sound like a fair price to you all? I know you,ve been helping me loads and I kind of feel l;ike I'm betraying you slightly!!

by Former member

Then this sounds pretty good. Ask them if there is a backup copy that you can have.
Since this will get your laptop up and running, it can only mean a good thing.. At least you know how to use Windows, of which like you said in your earlier post that you do not like changes, so get it repaired and tell us all about it. :)

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Yes they will make me a copy also for the price!! still feel awful about all the help I have been given here.I was in msfn the other day and they were useless,I accidently double posted and they got on at me badly,even though I explained I was not Bill Gates!!

by Former member

We all would like a easy life, but the road we all walk on does come bumpy at times. so do not worry over something that could not be helped. At least you will have a smile on your face when you have your laptop back in full working order. :) We are all here to help you, what ever the problem(s) whether they be hard or easy. :)

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Fantastic as soon as its done ,they guess by the weekend,then I shall get back on it and post a new topic here just as a tester!!! Once again many many thanks for everyones help Its good to know there is somewhere to go when it all goes belly up!!!!!! :)

by Former member

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by dorisno1

Hello all, Just saying hello from my laptop!!!! all fixed yesterday and back to normal...Yippee!!! :)

by oh smeg

If this helps I don't think that the HDD will need replacing so it should be a simple repair.

Cheers

Col

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