• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Hard Drive Help

V

vicarprimrose

Junior Member
I recently installed a Caviar 160GB HDD. The installation went more or less smoothly and I encountered no problems for a couple of weeks. A few days ago when I turned on my computer (after powering it down normally) I got a message saying WindowsXP could not boot properly and a list of serveral options (boot is safe mode, restore last know configuration, start windows normally). Regardless of what I try I ultimately get the dreaded blue screen with the following message:

unmountable_boot_volume


I tried to re-install windows and delete the partition, but it won't let me. This problem exceeds my technical knowlege. I'm reasonably sure it's the Hard Drive because I reinstalled my old Hard Drive and the problem wasn't there. If anyone has ideas as to what may be causing this or, more importantly, how to correct it I would appreciate it.
 
So you're booting to the new Caviar I assume? Maybe get WD's disk tools and have it check the drive.

Don't try this until someone verifies it, but what about the FIXMBR command in the recovery console?
 
Yes, I'm booting to the Caviar. I bought it OEM so there is no documentation or CD. I suppose I could download the tools and burn them to a disk if they're available on the WD's website.
 
You cannot have a bootable XP partition of 160GB. You MUST partition that drive, you have NO choice due to the 137GB IDE limitation.

Boot to the XP CDROM and, during the install, tell XP to create a partition for the install...you will see the screens. Personally, I'd set the boot drive C: partition to like 40000 (40GB), let XP install and then use XP Drive Manager to partition and format the remaining space. Make sure you use NTFS during setup!
 
Perhaps I should have stated from the outset that this drive is SATA WD Caviar 1200JD (which makes it first generation if that matters).

I originally created one huge partition (using NTFS) minus 8GB which is left over some some reason and the drive ran swimmingly for several weeks. Then one fine morning this...

I've tried to repartition the drive, but am told by windows that the partition cannot be deleted.
 
Hummm....amazing, I still don't recommend a single C: drive of that size. Try to restore your boot.ini. Boot to the XP CD and select "R" for recovery console. When you get to the prompt, type in: chkdsk /p

When that's done type in fixboot and answer Y. Type EXIT to get out of the console.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

I tried both chkdsk /p and chkdsk /r on the recommendation of a friend. It tells me that "volume appears to contain one or more unremovable problems and gives me the C prompt when I enter "fixboot" I get the message "boot sector cannot be fixed."

Even though I formated the disk in NTSF, it tells me "target partition is in the system on the startup partition is FAT."

My friend suggested using a boot disk and trying fdsk mbr. So I'm going to try that after work tonight I guess. I'll try the WD utilities too I guess. Any other ideas?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top