UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME & booting XP from a floppy...

[Matt]

Ok I have a Compaq Presario and a UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME error. I know
that this can be repaired in the Window's Recovery console but since Compaq
computers don't ship with a Windows XP disk I have no way of opening a
Recovery console. So their tech support suggested I go to the following
site and download an app to make a bootable floppy for XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=E8FE6868-6E4F-471C-B455-BD5AFEE126D8

I run the app and it makes my 6 bootable disks but every time I try to start
the computer with the disks it locks up on disk 5 saying :

File ksecdd.sys caused an unexpected error (4100) at line 5010 in
d:\xpclient\base\boot\setup\setup.c.

I've tried remaking the disks and even new disks but nothing seems to help.
Any ideas?

Also could I use any XP disk to start the recovery console?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

I am not sure if you can use someone else's CD for the Recovery
Console installation.

Are you using the proper download?
The one you are using does not apply to SP-1 or SP-2.
Try downloading again, be sure to get the correct copy:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

Also...
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.