Unmountable Boot Volume Error

[JD]

I am running a Dell Latitude D410 notebook. It is a couple years old,
and over the years, I've run Windows XP and multiple flavors of Linux
(most recently Kubuntu) on it.

My most recent setup was a dual boot between XP and Kubuntu. I began
getting errors every time I shut down Kubuntu and booted up XP, so I
decided to wipe the hard drive (clean -- drive reformatted NTFS) and
install XP alone.

Immediately after the install, when XP was trying to start for the
first time, I received an Unmountable_Boot_Volume error, with error
code 0x000000ED.

I restarted the system, and it gave me the same error. I finally went
in through safe mode, and it worked. That's the ONLY way I can get in
(can't even use safe mode with networking).

I've researched both newsgroups and Microsoft's KB, and have now:
- reinstalled the OS at least 6 times, reformatting it each time
(NTFS)
- run chkdsk /r in the repair console
- run manufacturer's diagnostics, which say that all of the hardware
is just peachy
- turned off everything in my BIOS that I don't need (infrared, sound,
wireless pci) and removed the battery
- Reseated the hard drive

None of this has made any difference. I consistently get the same error
if I try to boot XP through any method except Safe Mode.

I'd download updates from Microsoft, but I can't get online in safe
mode. Is there a way to download all needed updates on a different
system so I can transfer them via CD? I can't seem to find instructions
for doing so on the Windows Updates site.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

JD

 

[John John]

Microsoft says to also try fixboot. See here:

"STOP 0x000000ED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME" Error Message When You Restart
Your Computer or Upgrade to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=297185

JOHN

 

[JD]

I tried that as well, after posting this. I've also replaced the hard
drive. Same thing.

JD

 

[John John]

Is the Windows XP cd at a service pack level, I mean is it Windows XP
SP1 or SP2, or is it the first released version without a service pack?
Try slipstreaming it to SP2.

John