Unmountable_boot_volume

BillD · Jul 14, 2006

I'm looking at a friends comp that will not boot up. It goes to the spot you would be at if you hit the F8 key. If you try to bopot in SafeMode, it comes up with a blue screen, with the above message. If you opt for last known good configuration, it starts WinXP, and then comes up with the same blue screen, and same message. It is an older comp, PIII 450, 8 Gig Fujitsu, that used to be my daughter's. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

TimW · Jul 14, 2006

Your computer will not boot returning the error "Unmountable boot Volume". This is usually caused by a corrupt "BOOT.INI" file.

SOLUTION 1

Access the recovery console. (This is the first repair option you get after you boot off the Windows XP CD (To see where this menu is Click here), unfortunately some OEM CD's (Or recovery CD's) do not have this option), but if you download the Windows XP boot disks you will be able to use the Console.

Download XP boot disks from here (May require 6 blank floppy disks)

Once you log into the recovery console type the following command "CHKDSK /F" or "CHKDSK /P". Once the scan is complete then reboot the computer. You should be able to log into Windows.

Your computer will not boot returning the error "Unmountable boot Volume". This is usually caused by a corrupt "BOOT.INI" file.

SOLUTION 2

This option tends to be very successful.

Quite simply take the Hard Drive out of your computer, then go to a friends house, that is a friend who owns a Windows XP computer, and with permission open up his/hers computer, disconnect their CD-Rom drives, and plug your hard drive in with theirs, of course make sure the cable is seated correctly and that the power connector is plugged in.

Your friend computer will now boot up and run Chkdsk before it logs into Windows, let this run & complete.

Take your Hard Drive home and test. This method has a good success rate.

Your computer will not boot returning the error "Unmountable boot Volume". This is usually caused by a corrupt "BOOT.INI" file.

SOLUTION 4 - "Autochk.exe cannot be Found"

If you get an error in relation to a missing "autochk.exe" file when running chkdsk, then do the following at command prompt:

Type:

CD C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32

Now try the "CHKDSK /F" or "CHKDSK /P" command again.

Microsoft solutions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555302
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;297185

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000630.htm

BillD · Jul 14, 2006

thanks for the reply. I tried do do a repair, but it said it was too messed so I just reformatted.

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Unmountable_boot_volume

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TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

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