unmountable_boot_volume

[Chris]

Specifically, I'm getting the following:

"UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
STOP: 0X000000ED (0X8279B900, 0xC0000006, 0x00000000,
0x00000000)"

I have the correct cable(80wire, 40pin) and have tried
the following from the recover console:
chkdsk/r, chkdsk/r/p, fismbr, and fixboot

However, I keep arriving back at
the "unmountable_boot_volume" screen. When I'v tried
safe mode or normal boot from the F8 DOS screen, it will
list numerous files down the screen mostly
referencing "system 32" in some way and then it freezes.

I've also tried re-installing XP completely and it tells
me I need to re-format my drive which will erase my
stored files which I'm trying to recover in the first
place.

Note: I had the computer in once for service whne it
completely crashed about 10 months ago. The system
worked fine for about 8 months thereafter.

I'm working off of a second hard drive for the time
being but suggestions would be greatly welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Chris;
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 there overlay
software which is not needed anyway.