XP computer fails to reboot

J

Jbarrick

I have a computer that runs XP Pro (SP-3) that fails to boot every time.

This was shut down properly, however, it now will not boot back up. Even in
safe mode it restarts just as windows should be loading.

Any ideas?
 
L

Leonard Grey

Do /you/ have any ideas to share that might point to a cause for your
problem? A computer can fail to boot for any number of reasons. Without
any further information, it's all guessing.
 
J

Jbarrick

I don't know of any reason for this to be happening.

Everything was fine, now it won't boot.
 
J

John John (MVP)

Tap the F8 key to get to the Windows boot options and disable the
Automatically Reboot on System Failure option and see if you can get a
bugcheck error report (BSOD), you might get relevant information from
the error message.

John
 
G

Gerry

Jbarrick

Copies of the Stop Errors reports are needed if you want targetted help.

Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
Automatically Restart.

Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure until you have
resolved the problem. Check for variants of the Stop Error message.

An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
J

Jbarrick

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x000000ED (0x8A7CD900, 0xC0000006, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
 
A

Anna

Leonard Grey said:
In that case, I suggest you show your computer to a professional.
Click to expand...


Jbarrick:
In the final analysis Leonard's suggestion about bringing the machine in to
a PC repair shop may be the appropriate route to take.

But before doing so, let's give this one more shot, OK?

First of all, and this is important - you *must* provide sufficient details
about your system and the situation (problem) so that you can get some
meaningful responses from this newsgroup source that might help you resolve
the problem.

Such as...

1. What kind of a system are we dealing with here? Is a desktop or laptop
machine?

2. Is it an OEM machine? Do you have an XP installation CD or is there only
a "Restore" CD available? Or, if it *is* an OEM machine is the
Restore/Recovery program on the HDD installed in the machine?

3. Have any idea as to the make/model of the motherboard?

4. What is the make/model of the HDD installed in the system? Is there more
than one HDD?

5. Have you checked out your boot HDD with the HDD diagnostic utility
available from the manufacturer of the disk? Do you understand what I'm
asking you?

6. And to confirm...one day the system was working perfectly, i.e., it
booted without incident and properly functioned in all respects, but the
very next day the problem you described arose? And the system had been
working properly ever since you installed SP3 to the OS, right? You've been
working with it for some time, right?

7. And you have absolutely no idea why that problem did arise? Had you
installed any program(s) just prior to the problem? Ditto for any OS
configuration changes - additions, deletions, modifications? Nothing?

8. You've indicated you're able to access the menu items that include the
Safe Mode boot but when you try to access Safe Mode the system just reboots
and you're back where you started from?

9. And can we assume you've also tried the "Last Known Good Configuration"
menu item but the same problem occurs?

10. How were you able to post your messages to this newsgroup? You obviously
have another PC available to you, right? What kind?

11. And if you can think of any other info to provide re your problem and/or
the system you're working with, please do so.
Anna
 
J

Jbarrick

The rest of the error screen reads:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage
to your computer.

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your
computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If
this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for
any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or
software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you
need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart you computer,
press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

------------------------------------------------

I am pretty sure that no new software was installed, and definately no new
hardware was installed.

I can't find where I can disable memory options in BIOS. I must be
overlooking this.
 
G

Gerry

Jbarrick

Unmountable Boot Volume
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555302


Background information on Stop error code
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms797142.aspx

0x000000ED: UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
The kernel mode I/O subsystem attempted to mount the boot volume and it
failed. This error also might occur during an upgrade to Win XP on
systems that use higher throughput ATA disks or controllers with
incorrect cabling. In some cases, your system might appear to work
normally after you restart.
Source: http://aumha.org/a/stop.htm

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314058

What is your Windows XP CD as it is described on the face of the CD?

What is your computer make and model? How old is it?



--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
D

db.·.. >

my suggestion is to
boot with a windows
xp cd, then select the
repair/recovery console.

then you can execute
a couple of commands
at the disk prompt>:

chkdsk
fixmbr
fixboot

then exit and
try to boot again
w/o the cd.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
 
D

db.·.. >

i suggested the commands
to help resolve disk issues
that are keeping you from
booting the o.s. at this time.

the only options you have
utilizing your win cd is to
either use the repair console
or format the disk to reinstall
sp2.

in regards to the integrity of
your data, it all depends on
what measures you had
taken in the past to ensure
or minimize risks.

------------

the other option could be
to install another disk and
install the o.s. to it and then
use it to access your faulty
drive "or"

you could take your faulty
drive and install it as a slave
on a functional computer and
use it to access the faulty drive.

but accessing data and repairing
the disk system and file system
would require to at least run the
commands i provided or repair
the faulty o.s. with a winxp cd.

however you cannot utilize your
winxp sp2 cd to repair the
winxp sp3.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
 
D

databaseben

like all tools, they can be
used as weapons as well
for those who are perversely
experienced with its power.

however, it seems that perhaps
the repair console is something
you are unfamaliar with.

it is really a window that provides
a disk prompt where you can
run commands from it.

i would describe it as being
similar to the old dos command
prompt, but i think you haven't
experienced this as well.

but if you had the opportunity
to do a run and open the cmd
window from the desktop, then
this is similar except that the
repair console is outside of the
windows enviroment.

there is more info at microsoft.com
if you want to research the subject
of the repair console.
 
J

Jbarrick

You are correct in that I don't have specific experience with the repair
console. However, I am somewhat familiar with the command prompt and a few
"basic" dos commands.

I did not want to approach this full speed ahead only to find out my data
will get erased.

Among "fixboot", "chkdsk" or "fixmbr" commands, do any of these present a
danger of wipping out my data? Is there one that would better than the
others to try first, or should I run all of these?
 

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