BSOD: "Unmountable Boot Error". Hard drive failure?

[Coldkilla]

I simply restart my PC and get the blue screen of death that gives this message:

"Unmountable Boot Error".

I checked around the web, and most (if not all of the websites) talk about hitting "R" once the Windows Setup screen appears.

The screen displays a few options:
1. To setup Windows XP - Hit Enter
2. To create a partition in unpartitioned space - Hit C.
3. To Delete the partition - Hit D.

There are no "Repair" options and hitting "R" does nothing. Also, hitting Enter on my C drive takes me to a "Format or Format quick screen". "R" doesn't work there ether.

Any ideas? Thanks!

PS: I have XP 32bit SP3

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Spinrite time?

 

[Coldkilla]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Spinrite time?

Whats that?

 

[Sam25]

SpinRite is a HDD recovery software afaik.

Btw, did you try these steps totally:

http://www.pchell.com/support/...ntablebootvolume.shtml

 

[Chapbass]

in my experience, unmountable boot volume is like 99% of the time a completely messed hdd.

 

[Coldkilla]

The link provided is basically what all the websites suggest - however they talk about hitting "R" to enter the recovery screen. There is no option to hit R period.... Theres: Create Partition, Delete Partition, and Setup a new copy Windows XP. I followed the last option and there was still no such option. I pressed "R" anyways at all the screens and nothing happened... All it is is essentially a create or delete a partition screen...

 

[Chapbass]

in an XP setup, there are two times to push "R".


The first time is the VERY first thing you hit after it loads all of your drivers. you can push R to repair manually (this brings you to dos, in order to run chkdsk, fixboot, fixmbr, etc). , enter to continue. This screen is where you describe as "push enter to start windows xp".

If you push enter, it will then bring you to the EULA, push f8 i believe to continue. after the EULA, it will search your HDD's for a copy of windows. if it finds one, it will say like "C:\WINDOWS". you can then push R there to try and do an automated windows repair (replacing your system files but keeping your data intact).

If you push escape at this screen, for "dont repair", it then brings you to the partitioning screen. If the searching HDD's for windows screen never comes up and it brings you right to the partitioning screen, that means it cant recognize your copy of windows, and youre usually stuck at either doing the manual repair or formatting the drive.


hope it helps at least a little

 

[Chapbass]

wait a minute....what type of disc are you using? a retail copy of xp? or something from a vendor like hp, gateway, etc?