Windows refuses to load...

[JaneisAlwaysDoe]

It says "UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME", and under technical information,

*** STOP: 0x000000ED (0x84F23620, 0xc000009c, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

For background information, it was running very slowly before I restarted
it; I left the hotel running AVG for eight hours on the off chance my
computer had caught something, only to stop it when I returned. Other than
that, my computer wasn't displaying any noticable problems; when I tried to
restart it, however, it gave me this error instead of loading windows.

It's a Compaq Presario 2100 with no hardware changes made; I thought for a
moment that Windows Updates may have downloaded Service Pack 3 for me,
causing this problem (a family member had a similar problem caused by SP3,
though it was probably a different error number), but I discarded that
hypothesis on the basis that it doesn't match any of the error codes that
others are reporting.

Are there any thoughts on what my problem might be, and what steps I can
take to fix my computer? Though my computer is old, it is very dear to me,
and I have several files that I just can't stand the thought of losing. I
won't be able to use any suggestions involving my windows CD for several
days, though; I'm on vacation, and (for obvious reasons) didn't think I'd be
needing it with me.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

It says "UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME", and under technical information,

*** STOP: 0x000000ED (0x84F23620, 0xc000009c, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

For background information, it was running very slowly before I restarted
it; I left the hotel running AVG for eight hours on the off chance my
computer had caught something, only to stop it when I returned. Other than
that, my computer wasn't displaying any noticable problems; when I tried
to
restart it, however, it gave me this error instead of loading windows.

It's a Compaq Presario 2100 with no hardware changes made; I thought for a
moment that Windows Updates may have downloaded Service Pack 3 for me,
causing this problem (a family member had a similar problem caused by SP3,
though it was probably a different error number), but I discarded that
hypothesis on the basis that it doesn't match any of the error codes that
others are reporting.

Are there any thoughts on what my problem might be, and what steps I can
take to fix my computer? Though my computer is old, it is very dear to me,
and I have several files that I just can't stand the thought of losing. I
won't be able to use any suggestions involving my windows CD for several
days, though; I'm on vacation, and (for obvious reasons) didn't think I'd
be
needing it with me.

Without diagnostic CDs and some tool you won't be able to do
anything about your problem.

Your first step should be to do what you should have done years
ago: Back up your files. Depending on your level of experience,
do the following yourself or have a competent person do it for you:

1. Remove the hard disk from the laptop. On some laptops this
is a trivial matter. On others it's a big challenge.
2. Install the disk in an external USB case.
3. Connect the USB case to some other PC or laptop.
4. Retrieve your important files if you can.
5. From now on, back up your important files regularly to a
USB disk, e.g. once a week. Don't wait for the next
disaster to happen!

 

[PaulM]

I do not know if this will help, but you can read it:
Error Message when you restart your computer or upgrade to Windows XP: "STOP
0x000000ED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q297185