Won't boot

[ConfusedAC]

I've had my WindowsXP since december of '01. I haven't baught any update software and don't know if I should have. Mine won't even boot up. The first screen that comes up is a black one, it says..

If your comp. stopped restart, restart unabled, or was autmatically shut down to protect files & folders, choose last known good configuration.

If previous startup attempt was interuppted due to power faliure or becuase the power or restart button was pressed or if you aren' sure what caused this choose restart with normal.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration

Normal Startup.

THEN you choose one of those and I have chose them all.. The reg. windows xp loading screen comes up & then a blue screen, thats reads:

A problem has been detected & 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. If this 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 may need.

If problem presist discard or remove and nemly 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 comp. press F8 to select Advanced Start-up Options & then select Safe mode.

Technical Info:
***STOP: 0x000000ED (0x80E1CAF8,0x0000006,0x00000000,0x000000000)

I HAVE NOT INSTALLED ANYTHING NEW. IVE FOLLOWED ALL THE INTRUSTIONS AND TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD.I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY COMP. IN ANYWHERE TO BE FIXED

 

[tahoe2]

Sounds like your boot sector is bad. Do you have boot disks? If so, use them to restore the boot sector. If not, put the XP cd in and restart the PC. Then run your anti virus software update and check the machine thoroughly. Also, run Disk Defragmenter.

Hope this helps.

Corie

 

[wolluf]

You could try running chkdsk from recovery console -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654

You say you haven't installed anything new (have you removed any hardware/software, had virus, crash, any 'warning' signs before this started happening?)

 

[ConfusedAC]

no, I haven't removed anything. a virus MAY have been downloaded but im not sure.