Hi All,

Win XP home has run great for about a year now and a couple of hours ago it
kind of locked up... it seemed that perhaps norton was draining some
resources but then it slacked off a bit but I was still locked up. The only
thing I could do was access the win task manager and ultimately re-booted.

Immediately upon startup it went to a screen before the
windows xp screen (in sum) 'Windows cannot start up because of a resent
software or hardware change. another problem could be that windows
experianced a power failure during start up'. that is what it basically said,
and it gave me a couple options:

safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command prompt
revert to last working settings
run windows normally
(these aren't the exact words, but again, in summary)


Clicking on any of these results in an attempt to start but then it loops
back to the above mentioned screen... I can't do anything here!!

It does seem that the BIOS is loading properly and the HD is being
acknowledged.

Any assistance would be very much appreciated!!!!

Thanks in advance!

j

Hello,
Note for later on, after XP is working again --- turn off Norton. Were you running Norton System suite or one of their "monitoring" modules?

From your note, it seems you cannot get into Windows.

When the pc is booting up (after the BIOS has done its POST test and
before Windows starts loading),
Tap F8 Function key to get bootup options. Tap & keep repeat tapping F8 !

You will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure" as an option .
Select that and give it a try. This option is available if you have XP service pack 2.

Once restart on failure is disabled, you may get a STOP error with
text --- at the next Windows startup.
Write it all down, and then start searching for the final solution.
And post back here with the STOP code & text.


It's well worth your while to select bootup to "Safe mode with command prompt".
Then at the command prompt, type in

chkdsk c: /f

IF it prompts that this needs to run at next startup, then answer Y (yes)

If the problem persists (or unable to get other mode of Windows),
Run CHKDSK in XP Recovery Console:
Set pc BIOS to boot from CDROM. Place XP CD in drive. Reboot from the CD.
Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your Windows
partition by number. Usually it is 1 . Login to XP with administrator
password. Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In R console /P
replaces /F ).

Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors. This should clear the
"dirty" flag on the drive. Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive

N.B. This is what I had to do (a l-o-n-g time ago) following a loss of electric power (and with no UPS).

Once you have a clean run from CHKDSK, (reset your BIOS boot sequence if you changed it), remove CD, restart your system.

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----


johng7 wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Win XP home has run great for about a year now and a couple of hours
> ago it kind of locked up... it seemed that perhaps norton was
> draining some resources but then it slacked off a bit but I was still
> locked up. The only thing I could do was access the win task manager
> and ultimately re-booted.
>
> Immediately upon startup it went to a screen before the
> windows xp screen (in sum) 'Windows cannot start up because of a
> resent software or hardware change. another problem could be that
> windows experianced a power failure during start up'. that is what it
> basically said, and it gave me a couple options:
>
> safe mode
> safe mode with networking
> safe mode with command prompt
> revert to last working settings
> run windows normally
> (these aren't the exact words, but again, in summary)
>
>
> Clicking on any of these results in an attempt to start but then it
> loops back to the above mentioned screen... I can't do anything here!!
>
> It does seem that the BIOS is loading properly and the HD is being
> acknowledged.
>
> Any assistance would be very much appreciated!!!!
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> j

Hi Maurice;

Thank you very much...
I was running normal norton anti-v

I did an f8 and got the error:
unmountable_boot_volume

technical info: stop: 0x000000ED (0x86B2F2F8, 0xC000009C, 0x00000000,
0x00000000)

I'm on to the next steps... thanks again!!

"Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:

> Hello,
> Note for later on, after XP is working again --- turn off Norton. Were you running Norton System suite or one of their "monitoring" modules?
>
> From your note, it seems you cannot get into Windows.
>
> When the pc is booting up (after the BIOS has done its POST test and
> before Windows starts loading),
> Tap F8 Function key to get bootup options. Tap & keep repeat tapping F8 !
>
> You will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure" as an option .
> Select that and give it a try. This option is available if you have XP service pack 2.
>
> Once restart on failure is disabled, you may get a STOP error with
> text --- at the next Windows startup.
> Write it all down, and then start searching for the final solution.
> And post back here with the STOP code & text.
>
>
> It's well worth your while to select bootup to "Safe mode with command prompt".
> Then at the command prompt, type in
>
> chkdsk c: /f
>
> IF it prompts that this needs to run at next startup, then answer Y (yes)
>
> If the problem persists (or unable to get other mode of Windows),
> Run CHKDSK in XP Recovery Console:
> Set pc BIOS to boot from CDROM. Place XP CD in drive. Reboot from the CD.
> Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your Windows
> partition by number. Usually it is 1 . Login to XP with administrator
> password. Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In R console /P
> replaces /F ).
>
> Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors. This should clear the
> "dirty" flag on the drive. Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
> CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive
>
> N.B. This is what I had to do (a l-o-n-g time ago) following a loss of electric power (and with no UPS).
>
> Once you have a clean run from CHKDSK, (reset your BIOS boot sequence if you changed it), remove CD, restart your system.
>
> --
> Maurice N
> MVP Windows - Shell / User
> -----
>
>
> johng7 wrote:
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Win XP home has run great for about a year now and a couple of hours
> > ago it kind of locked up... it seemed that perhaps norton was
> > draining some resources but then it slacked off a bit but I was still
> > locked up. The only thing I could do was access the win task manager
> > and ultimately re-booted.
> >
> > Immediately upon startup it went to a screen before the
> > windows xp screen (in sum) 'Windows cannot start up because of a
> > resent software or hardware change. another problem could be that
> > windows experianced a power failure during start up'. that is what it
> > basically said, and it gave me a couple options:
> >
> > safe mode
> > safe mode with networking
> > safe mode with command prompt
> > revert to last working settings
> > run windows normally
> > (these aren't the exact words, but again, in summary)
> >
> >
> > Clicking on any of these results in an attempt to start but then it
> > loops back to the above mentioned screen... I can't do anything here!!
> >
> > It does seem that the BIOS is loading properly and the HD is being
> > acknowledged.
> >
> > Any assistance would be very much appreciated!!!!
> >
> > Thanks in advance!
> >
> > j
>

thanks again - I just spotted your reply in the other post... (I accidentally
posted twice as I didn't think the other one listed)

Back to the issue at hand...
I found this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;555302

which seems to be a fix of sorts though I can't find 0xC000009C specifically

of the following:
1.The file system is damaged and cannot be mounted.
2.You use a standard 40-wire connector cable to connect the UDMA drive to
the controller instead of the required 80-wire, 40-pin cable.
3.The basic input/output system (BIOS) settings are configured to force the
faster UDMA modes.

1. I guess so
2. Could the existing cable have gone bad?
3. Shouldn't be

I can't seem to get a command prompt through the 'safe mode with command
prompt' - is there a f+something to start in dos from the get go?

I currently am in mad search for the start disk but it's not looking good!!
Are there other options?

thanks again!!

"johng7" wrote:

> Hi Maurice;
>
> Thank you very much...
> I was running normal norton anti-v
>
> I did an f8 and got the error:
> unmountable_boot_volume
>
> technical info: stop: 0x000000ED (0x86B2F2F8, 0xC000009C, 0x00000000,
> 0x00000000)
>
> I'm on to the next steps... thanks again!!
>
> "Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> > Note for later on, after XP is working again --- turn off Norton. Were you running Norton System suite or one of their "monitoring" modules?
> >
> > From your note, it seems you cannot get into Windows.
> >
> > When the pc is booting up (after the BIOS has done its POST test and
> > before Windows starts loading),
> > Tap F8 Function key to get bootup options. Tap & keep repeat tapping F8 !
> >
> > You will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure" as an option .
> > Select that and give it a try. This option is available if you have XP service pack 2.
> >
> > Once restart on failure is disabled, you may get a STOP error with
> > text --- at the next Windows startup.
> > Write it all down, and then start searching for the final solution.
> > And post back here with the STOP code & text.
> >
> >
> > It's well worth your while to select bootup to "Safe mode with command prompt".
> > Then at the command prompt, type in
> >
> > chkdsk c: /f
> >
> > IF it prompts that this needs to run at next startup, then answer Y (yes)
> >
> > If the problem persists (or unable to get other mode of Windows),
> > Run CHKDSK in XP Recovery Console:
> > Set pc BIOS to boot from CDROM. Place XP CD in drive. Reboot from the CD.
> > Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your Windows
> > partition by number. Usually it is 1 . Login to XP with administrator
> > password. Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In R console /P
> > replaces /F ).
> >
> > Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors. This should clear the
> > "dirty" flag on the drive. Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
> > CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive
> >
> > N.B. This is what I had to do (a l-o-n-g time ago) following a loss of electric power (and with no UPS).
> >
> > Once you have a clean run from CHKDSK, (reset your BIOS boot sequence if you changed it), remove CD, restart your system.
> >
> > --
> > Maurice N
> > MVP Windows - Shell / User
> > -----
> >
> >
> > johng7 wrote:
> > > Hi All,
> > >
> > > Win XP home has run great for about a year now and a couple of hours
> > > ago it kind of locked up... it seemed that perhaps norton was
> > > draining some resources but then it slacked off a bit but I was still
> > > locked up. The only thing I could do was access the win task manager
> > > and ultimately re-booted.
> > >
> > > Immediately upon startup it went to a screen before the
> > > windows xp screen (in sum) 'Windows cannot start up because of a
> > > resent software or hardware change. another problem could be that
> > > windows experianced a power failure during start up'. that is what it
> > > basically said, and it gave me a couple options:
> > >
> > > safe mode
> > > safe mode with networking
> > > safe mode with command prompt
> > > revert to last working settings
> > > run windows normally
> > > (these aren't the exact words, but again, in summary)
> > >
> > >
> > > Clicking on any of these results in an attempt to start but then it
> > > loops back to the above mentioned screen... I can't do anything here!!
> > >
> > > It does seem that the BIOS is loading properly and the HD is being
> > > acknowledged.
> > >
> > > Any assistance would be very much appreciated!!!!
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance!
> > >
> > > j
> >

John

A possibility:
You may receive a "Stop" error message on a computer that is running Windows
Server 2003, Windows 2000, Windows Small Business Server 2003, Small
Business Server 2000, or Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=892000

Otherwise:
http://snipurl.com/nksw

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"johng7" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:172CCF4C-ED59-4B65-BBBF-(E-Mail Removed)...
> thanks again - I just spotted your reply in the other post... (I
> accidentally
> posted twice as I didn't think the other one listed)
>
> Back to the issue at hand...
> I found this:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;555302
>
> which seems to be a fix of sorts though I can't find 0xC000009C
> specifically
>
> of the following:
> 1.The file system is damaged and cannot be mounted.
> 2.You use a standard 40-wire connector cable to connect the UDMA drive to
> the controller instead of the required 80-wire, 40-pin cable.
> 3.The basic input/output system (BIOS) settings are configured to force
> the
> faster UDMA modes.
>
> 1. I guess so
> 2. Could the existing cable have gone bad?
> 3. Shouldn't be
>
> I can't seem to get a command prompt through the 'safe mode with command
> prompt' - is there a f+something to start in dos from the get go?
>
> I currently am in mad search for the start disk but it's not looking
> good!!
> Are there other options?
>
> thanks again!!
>
> "johng7" wrote:
>
>> Hi Maurice;
>>
>> Thank you very much...
>> I was running normal norton anti-v
>>
>> I did an f8 and got the error:
>> unmountable_boot_volume
>>
>> technical info: stop: 0x000000ED (0x86B2F2F8, 0xC000009C, 0x00000000,
>> 0x00000000)
>>
>> I'm on to the next steps... thanks again!!
>>
>> "Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:
>>
>> > Hello,
>> > Note for later on, after XP is working again --- turn off Norton. Were
>> > you running Norton System suite or one of their "monitoring" modules?
>> >
>> > From your note, it seems you cannot get into Windows.
>> >
>> > When the pc is booting up (after the BIOS has done its POST test and
>> > before Windows starts loading),
>> > Tap F8 Function key to get bootup options. Tap & keep repeat tapping
>> > F8 !
>> >
>> > You will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure" as
>> > an option .
>> > Select that and give it a try. This option is available if you have XP
>> > service pack 2.
>> >
>> > Once restart on failure is disabled, you may get a STOP error with
>> > text --- at the next Windows startup.
>> > Write it all down, and then start searching for the final solution.
>> > And post back here with the STOP code & text.
>> >
>> >
>> > It's well worth your while to select bootup to "Safe mode with command
>> > prompt".
>> > Then at the command prompt, type in
>> >
>> > chkdsk c: /f
>> >
>> > IF it prompts that this needs to run at next startup, then answer Y
>> > (yes)
>> >
>> > If the problem persists (or unable to get other mode of Windows),
>> > Run CHKDSK in XP Recovery Console:
>> > Set pc BIOS to boot from CDROM. Place XP CD in drive. Reboot from the
>> > CD.
>> > Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your
>> > Windows
>> > partition by number. Usually it is 1 . Login to XP with administrator
>> > password. Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In R console
>> > /P
>> > replaces /F ).
>> >
>> > Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors. This should clear
>> > the
>> > "dirty" flag on the drive. Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
>> > CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive
>> >
>> > N.B. This is what I had to do (a l-o-n-g time ago) following a loss
>> > of electric power (and with no UPS).
>> >
>> > Once you have a clean run from CHKDSK, (reset your BIOS boot sequence
>> > if you changed it), remove CD, restart your system.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Maurice N
>> > MVP Windows - Shell / User
>> > -----
>> >
>> >
>> > johng7 wrote:
>> > > Hi All,
>> > >
>> > > Win XP home has run great for about a year now and a couple of hours
>> > > ago it kind of locked up... it seemed that perhaps norton was
>> > > draining some resources but then it slacked off a bit but I was still
>> > > locked up. The only thing I could do was access the win task manager
>> > > and ultimately re-booted.
>> > >
>> > > Immediately upon startup it went to a screen before the
>> > > windows xp screen (in sum) 'Windows cannot start up because of a
>> > > resent software or hardware change. another problem could be that
>> > > windows experianced a power failure during start up'. that is what it
>> > > basically said, and it gave me a couple options:
>> > >
>> > > safe mode
>> > > safe mode with networking
>> > > safe mode with command prompt
>> > > revert to last working settings
>> > > run windows normally
>> > > (these aren't the exact words, but again, in summary)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Clicking on any of these results in an attempt to start but then it
>> > > loops back to the above mentioned screen... I can't do anything
>> > > here!!
>> > >
>> > > It does seem that the BIOS is loading properly and the HD is being
>> > > acknowledged.
>> > >
>> > > Any assistance would be very much appreciated!!!!
>> > >
>> > > Thanks in advance!
>> > >
>> > > j
>> >

You have to get a hold of your XP CD ( not a recovery CD) and boot up from CD to get to Recovery Console. (tips mentioned earlier).
Running CHKDSK may well cure the "unmountable_boot_volume"

If someone has been inside the pc case, or been around the HD cables, or maybe roughly moved the pc..... look inside the case & look at HD cables. Make sure HD cables are of the right type. And securely in place.

if you are using NTFS file system on IDE drives with caching enabled.
See also
Stop 0x000000ED Error Message When Volume on IDE Drive with Caching Enabled Is Mounted (315403)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315403

If you have ATA-66 - 100 -133 disk controllers, make sure the cables are of the right type (80 wire cables / aka Ultra-ATA IDE cables). There have been several postings on "unmountable boot volume" and they were using the older-type IDE cables.
CONVERSELY, if you have the older IDE connectors on motherboard, use 40-wire cables!

Note also: If you have removable storage like a Firewire device, that may sometimes/somehow contribute to this condition.

Next, recheck master/slave jumpers/settings on all cables to hard drives, CD devices.

Set pc BIOS boot sequence to boot first from CDROM. Boot from XP CD. Get into Recovery Console. It is the second option line on the XP CD main menu: it will say (on screen Welcome To Setup) :
"To repair a Windows XP installation using "Recovery Console" press R .

Login to XP with administrator password.
On your system drive, run "CHKDSK /P". I'd run it twice, just to make sure there are no errors.

At finish, remove CD, restore boot sequence in BIOS, and carefully try Windows login.

The following are some general hints on the problem:
Recommend you see/study this MS article: Article ID: 297185 , titled
"STOP 0x000000ED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME" Error Message During Windows XP
Upgrade
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/kb/297185

Note it also does refer to this condition beyond any upgrade process....it may occur after XP has been setup/working.

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

johng7 wrote:
> Hi Maurice;
>
> Thank you very much...
> I was running normal norton anti-v
>
> I did an f8 and got the error:
> unmountable_boot_volume
>
> technical info: stop: 0x000000ED (0x86B2F2F8, 0xC000009C, 0x00000000,
> 0x00000000)
>
> I'm on to the next steps... thanks again!!
>
> "Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>> Note for later on, after XP is working again --- turn off Norton.
>> Were you running Norton System suite or one of their "monitoring"
>> modules?
>>
>> From your note, it seems you cannot get into Windows.
>>
>> When the pc is booting up (after the BIOS has done its POST test
>> and before Windows starts loading),
>> Tap F8 Function key to get bootup options. Tap & keep repeat
>> tapping F8 !
>>
>> You will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure"
>> as an option . Select that and give it a try. This option is
>> available if you have XP service pack 2.
>>
>> Once restart on failure is disabled, you may get a STOP error with
>> text --- at the next Windows startup.
>> Write it all down, and then start searching for the final solution.
>> And post back here with the STOP code & text.
>>
>>
>> It's well worth your while to select bootup to "Safe mode with
>> command prompt". Then at the command prompt, type in
>>
>> chkdsk c: /f
>>
>> IF it prompts that this needs to run at next startup, then answer Y
>> (yes)
>>
>> If the problem persists (or unable to get other mode of Windows),
>> Run CHKDSK in XP Recovery Console:
>> Set pc BIOS to boot from CDROM. Place XP CD in drive. Reboot from
>> the CD. Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select
>> your Windows partition by number. Usually it is 1 . Login to XP
>> with administrator password. Then run CHKDSK /P from the command
>> line. (In R console /P replaces /F ).
>>
>> Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors. This should
>> clear the "dirty" flag on the drive. Run CHKDSK for each drive on
>> your system. CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive
>>
>> N.B. This is what I had to do (a l-o-n-g time ago) following a
>> loss of electric power (and with no UPS).
>>
>> Once you have a clean run from CHKDSK, (reset your BIOS boot
>> sequence if you changed it), remove CD, restart your system.
>>
>> --
>> Maurice N
>> MVP Windows - Shell / User
>> -----
>>
>>
>> johng7 wrote:
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> Win XP home has run great for about a year now and a couple of hours
>>> ago it kind of locked up... it seemed that perhaps norton was
>>> draining some resources but then it slacked off a bit but I was
>>> still locked up. The only thing I could do was access the win task
>>> manager and ultimately re-booted.
>>>
>>> Immediately upon startup it went to a screen before the
>>> windows xp screen (in sum) 'Windows cannot start up because of a
>>> resent software or hardware change. another problem could be that
>>> windows experianced a power failure during start up'. that is what
>>> it basically said, and it gave me a couple options:
>>>
>>> safe mode
>>> safe mode with networking
>>> safe mode with command prompt
>>> revert to last working settings
>>> run windows normally
>>> (these aren't the exact words, but again, in summary)
>>>
>>>
>>> Clicking on any of these results in an attempt to start but then it
>>> loops back to the above mentioned screen... I can't do anything
>>> here!!
>>>
>>> It does seem that the BIOS is loading properly and the HD is being
>>> acknowledged.
>>>
>>> Any assistance would be very much appreciated!!!!
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance!
>>>
>>> j

John,

If unable to locate XP CD, and still need to run CHKDSK, then.....

If your pc has a diskette drive,
Get & use the Microsoft XP startup diskettes, then run CHKDSK.


Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks MS-KB Article 310994
http://http://support.microsoft.com/...px?kbid=310994
You need to do 1 download. Follow instructions. This process makes a set of 6 diskettes

Get the version that is proper to your edition of XP, and to the service pack on it.

Obviously, you need to mark each diskette (1 to 6) so you know which is which. <g>
- -
Run CHKDSK /P from within the XP Recovery Console !

Set pc BIOS to boot from diskette drive. Place diskette #1 in drive. Reboot pc.
Once diskette 1 is loaded, you'll be prompted to load the rest of the set ( one by one).

The intent here is not to setup Windows XP, but rather to be able to get to a point where the RECOVERY CONSOLE can be selected.

Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your Windows partition by number. Usually it is 1 .
(Jim, your IBM notebook may have the Windows o.s. on partition 2 ! )

Login to XP with administrator password. (If there is no password, press TAB key, and press Enter).

Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In Recovery Console /P replaces /F ).

Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors.
Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive

References for Recovery Console:
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console - Article ID 314058
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=314058

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=307654

To exit the R Console, use the EXIT command.


When you do log in to Recovery Console, & run CHKDSK ---it will complain about "missing AUTOCHK.exe".
This is where you point it ---you'll need to type it ---
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32

Note: Your pc may have Windows at \WINNT .... if so, type in C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32

(In a multi-boot setup, use the appropriate drive letter.)

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

Sorry, but here is the corrected link to KB 310994
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310994
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----


Maurice N ~ MVP wrote:
> John,
>
> If unable to locate XP CD, and still need to run CHKDSK, then.....
>
> If your pc has a diskette drive,
> Get & use the Microsoft XP startup diskettes, then run CHKDSK.
>
>
> Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks MS-KB Article 310994
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310994
> You need to do 1 download. Follow instructions. This process makes
> a set of 6 diskettes
>
> Get the version that is proper to your edition of XP, and to the
> service pack on it.
>
> Obviously, you need to mark each diskette (1 to 6) so you know which
> is which. <g>
> - -
> Run CHKDSK /P from within the XP Recovery Console !
>
> Set pc BIOS to boot from diskette drive. Place diskette #1 in drive.
> Reboot pc.
> Once diskette 1 is loaded, you'll be prompted to load the rest of the
> set ( one by one).
>
> The intent here is not to setup Windows XP, but rather to be able to
> get to a point where the RECOVERY CONSOLE can be selected.
>
> Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your
> Windows partition by number. Usually it is 1 .
> (Jim, your IBM notebook may have the Windows o.s. on partition 2 ! )
>
> Login to XP with administrator password. (If there is no password,
> press TAB key, and press Enter).
>
> Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In Recovery Console /P
> replaces /F ).
>
> Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors.
> Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
> CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive
>
> References for Recovery Console:
> Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console - Article ID 314058
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=314058
>
> HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=307654
>
> To exit the R Console, use the EXIT command.
>
>
> When you do log in to Recovery Console, & run CHKDSK ---it will
> complain about "missing AUTOCHK.exe".
> This is where you point it ---you'll need to type it ---
> C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
>
> Note: Your pc may have Windows at \WINNT .... if so, type in
> C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32
>
> (In a multi-boot setup, use the appropriate drive letter.)

Hi,

In this situation, if the login pass is lost or forgotten it is
possible to use Active@ Password changer utility to reset it. That is a
small yet easy to use and powerful tool that can quickly perform the
operation. I've used it before and it really helped.

http://www.password-changer.com/