BleepingComputer.com: bootup looping?

My computer is stuck in a bootup loop. It seems to be bootin up normally but momentarily goes to a blue screen which lists , but I can't read it cause the screen goes immediately to the safe mode screen. When I choose start in safemode to fix any problems, the system loops back to that darn blue screen and then the safe mode screen over and over and over. The safe mode screen includes the following:

"We apologize for the inconvenience but windows did not start successfully........choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
safe Mode with networking
safe mode with command prompt

Last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked)

With the help of Farbar on the Malware forum I was able to get to the blue screen to see what it says, which is as follows:

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 tomake 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 your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical Information:

***STOP: 0x000000ED (0x8ACE1400, 0xC0000006, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

We tried getting the computer to boot up using the Operating System CD I have (my system is a Gateway and is about 4 years old). Unfortunately my system won't read the cd drive and the inevitable boot loop continues. Farbar at the other forum suggested that i post here. Hopefully someone can help.

I haven't backed up in a while and really don't want to lose any of my personal files and address books otherwise I would just do a restore.


Any ideas on how I can fix this? Need more info?

Liz

Running Firefox
Windows XP (latest version)

The typical fix attempt for Unmountable Boot Volume errors is to try running the chkdsk /r command, from the XP Recovery Console (in your case).

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

How to use CHKDSK in the XP Recovery Console - http://pirules3.14.googlepages.com/recovery_console_chkdsk

For those without access to a MS XP CD or the XP Recovery Console: How to Create a Bootable XP Recovery Console CD - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html.

If the chkdsk /r command generates an error message (onscreen) of any sort, please write it down and post same.

This is a not a guaranteed fix, since the severity of the problem may not necessarily allow such. It's the best known effort and the most basic way to get a handle on what might be wrong.

Louis

So far everything is running as the instructions read at Microsoft site...

however my question is about step 3 on the Microsoft instrusctions at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555302 (which reads "3.If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you must access from the Recovery Console."

My system screen reads:

1: I:\MiniNT

WHich Windows installation woudl you like to log onto
To cancel, press ENTER>?

I know I don't want to cancel but what do I enter there? I have NO idea!!

Thanks if you can offer more assistance.

Liz

This post has been edited by lizzy0921: 11 March 2010 - 12:47 PM

Take a look at http://en.allexperts.com/q/Windows-XP-3282.../1-D-minint.htm.

The fact is...most instructions from Microsoft which deal with problems...are not written for systems with your particular setup. The instructions are predicated on the premise that the user has installed XP on the first partition and has no recovery/restore partitions which have been created by the system manufacturer.

Unfortunately...there was no feedback from the person in the link I supplied...so we don't know if anything worked.

I would not try any of the suggestions, at this point. Cancel out of the Recovery Console.

What is your system manufacturer and model?

Someone here with more experience than I...can give you better suggestions about this MiniNT partition and running chkdsk /r.

I would also suggest that you check your owner's manual for documentation indicating what this might be...and your options for doing repairs, utlizing the software installed by the system manufacturer.

Let's wait for others to speak up .

Louis

Hi..

Sounds like good advice. Thanks.

My system is about 4 years old and is a Gateway model # FX510 X

Owners manual..do people really save those?? J/K I do have mine.

Thanks and I'll wait and see if someone else can add some help and in the meantime I'll check out my owners guide.

Liz

http://support.gateway.com/s/SOFTWARE/Medi...XPMC0su18.shtml

From what I see above...the Recovery Console should display two options to select from:

1. MiniNT
2. The Windows partition

From the link:

2.On the Microsoft Windows XP™ Recovery Console screen, press the number of the corresponding Windows XP installation for which you know the administrator password. The typical selection is 2.

3.After selecting the appropriate Windows installation, at the prompt type the administrator password.
Note: The password for the Administrator account must be used, not just a password from an account with administrative privileges. The default Administrator password is blank.


4.The C:\WINDOWS prompt appears.

5.Use the desired Recovery Console Commands.

Louis

Louis,

I am up and running...

Step 2 you listed:

On the Microsoft Windows XP™ Recovery Console screen, press the number of the corresponding Windows XP installation for which you know the administrator password. The typical selection is 2. ---- My selection is 1.

My system never asked for a password and after running chkdsk /r twice I was able to get online. I worked between the instructions you gave me below and the instructions I found at http://sites.google.com/site/pirules314/re..._console_chkdsk

I just rebooted..it reboots slowly and quickly flashes a black screen that says to push f11 for recovery... then it slowwwwwly boots to the desktop. So its still messed up a bit but at least its working now. What a process!!! THANK YOU from me and my kids

Is there some other program I should run to try and clean things up?

Liz

Louis,

I am up and running...

Step 2 you listed:

On the Microsoft Windows XP™ Recovery Console screen, press the number of the corresponding Windows XP installation for which you know the administrator password. The typical selection is 2. ---- My selection is 1.

My system never asked for a password and after running chkdsk /r twice I was able to get online. I worked between the instructions you gave me below and the instructions I found at http://sites.google.com/site/pirules314/re..._console_chkdsk

I just rebooted..it reboots slowly and quickly flashes a black screen that says to push f11 for recovery... then it slowwwwwly boots to the desktop. So its still messed up a bit but at least its working now. What a process!!! THANK YOU from me and my kids

Is there some other program I should run to try and clean things up?

Liz

I would be concerned about the possibility that the hard drive is failing...or the NTFS file system is awry.

I would still run the correct respective hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic on the hard drive, long test (if long and short are offered).

To see the respective manufacturer of your hard drive...Start/Run...type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.

Click the plus-sign in front of Disk Drives, which will reflect the detail for that category.

Write down the info reflected...then use Google to look up the manufacturer (if it's not obvious).

The diagnostic will have to downloaded and installed on either floppy or CD (.iso file/CD version is preferred).

Bootable Hard Drive Diagnostics - Vox - http://usasma.vox.com/library/post/bootabl...iagnostics.html

Hard Drive Installation and Diagnostic Tools - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic28744.html

How to successfully burn or write an ISO-image to cd or dvd - http://iso.snoekonline.com/iso.htm

How to write a CD-DVD image or ISO - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/write-a-cd-dvd-image-or-iso/

Louis