Unmountable Boot Volume error

[subgenius]

***Note***

After making some progress, I found out that the source of the problem is related to an Unmountable Boot Volume error (caused by a virus), so feel free to skip the first couple of posts to get the more relevant details.

***End Note***

I'm running Win XP SP2, and the Windows Updater came up Monday and told me about some security updates that were available. I only chose the ones for IE and Messenger, and after the install was done, I restarted. I got through POST fine, but then I get an error-type message that says Windows has problems starting up due to a "software or hardware problem" (thanks for narrowing the options and gives me five options to choose from:

1. Safe Mode
2. Safe Mode with Networking
3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt
4. Start Windows with the Settings that most recently worked
5. Start Windows Normally

I tried all 5, and none of them worked. I can't even get a command prompt.

I also opened the case to see how things were looking, and other than some dust, I found that some of the unused cables I had bundled together had become a little loose because the rubberband I held them together with had dried up and broken (couldn't take the heat?)

So my best guess at this point is that either:
1. MS messed up my system with these updates
2. Virus (although I update and scan for viruses and spyware on weekly basis)
3. Heating issue

Here's my system specs:
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe w/ Barton 2500+
Antec Sonota Case w/ 380 W PSU
1 GB Crucial RAM (2 x 512)
2 x 160 GB Maxtor HD
Lite-On CD-RW Drive
Lite-On DVD-ROM Drive
Matrox G450 video card
* Never overclocked system, used for dig vid projects, but mostly web surfing & design
* No additional fans installed
* System has been working great for past 18 months

Thanks in advance for any advice...

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: subgenius
I'm running Win XP SP2, and the Windows Updater came up Monday and told me about some security updates that were available. I only chose the ones for IE and Messenger, and after the install was done, I restarted. I got through POST fine, but then I get an error-type message that says Windows has problems starting up due to a "software or hardware problem" (thanks for narrowing the options and gives me five options to choose from:

1. Safe Mode
2. Safe Mode with Networking
3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt
4. Start Windows with the Settings that most recently worked
5. Start Windows Normally

I tried all 5, and none of them worked. I can't even get a command prompt.

I also opened the case to see how things were looking, and other than some dust, I found that some of the unused cables I had bundled together had become a little loose because the rubberband I held them together with had dried up and broken (couldn't take the heat?)

So my best guess at this point is that either:
1. MS messed up my system with these updates
2. Virus (although I update and scan for viruses and spyware on weekly basis)
3. Heating issue

When you say you tried all 5 and nothing happened... does the system shut down after you make a choice? Do you get a BSOD? Also, are any of the wires damaged? You say it might be a "heating issue"... what temps are you running? Thanks...

edit: also IMHO no updates from MS have caused any such issues... I have a pretty similar config to yours and all the updates work fine for me.

 

[subgenius]

After the system finishes the POST, it starts to load Windows, and then I get a Black (not Blue) Screen of Death with 5 options (mentioned above), but no error message or anything specific. After choosing from the 5 options, the results are more or less the same. It begins to go into Windows, and with some of the options, the Windows logo screen appears and the the system reboots, but most of the time, it just reboots.

I cleared the CMOS, and after booting up again, I checked the temps in the BIOS, and it said the MB was 20 C and the CPU was 34 C. Those temps are fine right? When I opened the case, I dusted, checked some but not all of the connections, and bunched some loose wires together. The PSU and case fans are running fine, I'm guessing the CPU fan is running fine, but haven't watched it specifically, and the graphics card light is green.

I decided to see what would happen if I booted from the install disc, and it gave me the option of restoring or reinstalling Windows, but I don't know what file(s) to restore, so I decided to wait and try again later.

So, does anyone know if this is a virus, or is it a OS issue? I'm ruling out hardware at this point since it passed POST, the BIOS recognized my drives, and the temps seem fine. Again, thanks for any input you might have.

 

[montag451]

I would try another vga card in the system, and try to load into safe before going into the full boot after you have put one in.

 

[subgenius]

After getting into safe mode manually by hitting F8, it gave me the option of forcing Windows to bootup (I forget the exact words they used), which then lead to the ever so helpful BSOD and an "Unmountable Boot Volume" error. After looking up some solutions on the MS support site, and other support sites online, I booted into the recovery console, and tried the chkdsk, fixmbr, and fixboot commands.
- 'chkdsk' recognized that there's a problem, but didn't fix it.
- 'fixmbr' didn't seem to recognize a problem (i.e. I don't remember any explicit messages telling me there was a problem)
- 'fixboot' recognized a problem (corrupt files) and supposedly fixed it

I then typed 'exit' and restarted. I wasn't sure when I was supposed to remove the Win XP install disc after using the recovery console, and I took it out after the system restarted, but before the system tried loading Windows.

My latest thinking is that I got hit by a virus (via a P2P program) even though I had the latest NAV '04 and Adaware (personal) defs. I'll probably buy a small harddrive and do a clean install of XP on that, and then download/buy a new Anti-virus program (Kaspersky or McAfee?) with the latest defs in order to find the culprit.

Does anyone have any other possible solutions for the Unmountable boot volume error (I've already gone through the suggested solutions on MS support site)? Thanks again.