BSOD pfn_list corrupt

[Guest]

Compaq Evo N410c
256 MB RAM
40 GB HDD
1 GHz Processor

Hi everyone,

I had Windows 2000 Pro, then installed XP Pro, and used it for a few years
without a problem.

Then I had a BSOD saying "Unmountable_boot_volume" everytime I booted up. I
re-installed XP Pro.

After a while, I got a pfn_list_corrupt message on the first 2 start-ups of
the laptop.

After some research, I found out that it is to do with the RAM. The only
thing which I think relates is the fact that it shut down a few times before
I installed XP.

I also noticed that it all happened after recalibrating the battery, with
HP's software.

Thanks in advance
Harry

 

[Harry Boyne]

And also - it has all of the xp updates.

 

[Ron Martell]

Compaq Evo N410c
256 MB RAM
40 GB HDD
1 GHz Processor

Hi everyone,

I had Windows 2000 Pro, then installed XP Pro, and used it for a few years
without a problem.

Then I had a BSOD saying "Unmountable_boot_volume" everytime I booted up. I
re-installed XP Pro.

The best way of fixing that problem is to boot with the XP
installation CD, choose the Repair (Recovery Console) option, and run
the following command:

CHKDSK C: /R

That will very often resolve the problem, avoiding all of the hassles
involved with a reinstall.

After a while, I got a pfn_list_corrupt message on the first 2 start-ups of
the laptop.

After some research, I found out that it is to do with the RAM. The only
thing which I think relates is the fact that it shut down a few times before
I installed XP.

Not necessarily. Here is what Microsoft says about that error at
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms793247.aspx
"This error is typically caused by a driver passing a bad memory
descriptor list."

Here is a Microsoft Knowledge Base article for Windows 2000 which has
some additional information about this error. The content should be
largely applicable to Windows XP as well:
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=291806

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Harry Boyne]

There's a big problem with that - I have a docking station with the CD
drive - the laptop doesn't have one.

The docking station won't connect now, and I don't want to buy an external
hard drive.

Is there any way to do it from the Windows Interface. If I do need any
Windows files from the CD, I have 2 XP Pro discs that I can get the files
from.

Thanks
Harry