unmountable boot volume: HELP!

[amy]

I know that this is a common problem and easily fixed,
but I'm a little mixed up.

When I first received the unmountable boot volume error,
I called Dell; their service rep told me I needed the
XP "reinstallation CD" that came with my system. I do not
have this CD nor can I remember ever having it. I do have
a service pack from the spring of 2002, but nothing
happens when I load the CD in the drive and try to boot
up the system. The Dell rep said there was absolutely
nothing I could do if I didn't have the reinstallation CD.

Is there a way to order or download this CD from
Microsoft, or a service pack that will work? Is there
something I should be doing when I load my service pack?
Should I take it in to someone? It's frustrating to know
this is so simple, and I miss my computer, so any help
would be endlessly appreciated. THANK YOU!

Amy

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Amy;
Dell is your only source unless you want to buy windows XP full
version.
There is no download.

Power off
Desktop:...Open the case and reseat the hard drive IDE ribbon cable at
both ends.
Laptop:... simply remove and reinsert the hard drive.
If that fails:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=297185
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315403

Otherwise go to the website of the hard drive manufacturer and
download their hard drive diagnostics.

Do you have a hard drive overlay such as Max Blast?
Windows XP sometimes has issues with overlay software.
You may need to perform a Clean Installation without their overlay
software which is not needed anyway.

 

[Rocket J. Squirrel]

Dell ships all their computers with a complete Windows installation CD. If
you didn't receive one with your computer, you should have contacted Dell
immediately. I don't mean to be wagging my finger, but you are supposed to
check to see that you received everything you paid for.

Dell is under no obligation to replace your lost installation CD, and
neither is Microsoft. You could try calling Dell back and asking them nicely
to bend the rules for you. Otherwise, your only other option is to buy a
retail copy of Windows XP.

Rocky

 

[Kent W. England [MVP]]

I know that this is a common problem and easily fixed, but I'm a
little mixed up.

When I first received the unmountable boot volume error, I called
Dell; their service rep told me I needed the XP "reinstallation CD"
that came with my system. I do not have this CD nor can I remember
ever having it. I do have a service pack from the spring of 2002, but
nothing happens when I load the CD in the drive and try to boot up
the system. The Dell rep said there was absolutely nothing I could do
if I didn't have the reinstallation CD.

Dell's advice (http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?dn=1068977)
is to run the Recovery Console from the XP CD and run "chkdsk" to fix
the file system. Without the XP CD, you don't have many options for
fixing this problem. You could try pressing the F8 key after the BIOS
boot screen and seeing if the system will boot in safe mode. If it does
(and it likely won't) you can run chkdsk from Safe Mode to fix NTFS.

Is there a way to order or download this CD from Microsoft, or a
service pack that will work? Is there something I should be doing
when I load my service pack? Should I take it in to someone? It's
frustrating to know this is so simple, and I miss my computer, so any
help would be endlessly appreciated. THANK YOU!

Most people don't have much success getting replacement CDs from Dell
after 30 days have passed. You actually need the XP CD and the Resource
CD to re-install your device drivers. The only other hope is to check
eBay for people selling their spare Dell CDs. You don't have a guarantee
that the CD will work on your system unless your system matches the
family (Dimension, Optiplex, Latitude) of the CD you are buying.
Conscientious sellers will note the models supported. Most of the
sellers are selling corporate model extra CDs. If you can't find a
Resource CD, you'll have to make do with the default video driver and go
to the Dell web site and update all your drivers from there. You need to
update video, network, chipset, audio, etc.