unmountable boot and dos boot disk

AmberlivesAmberlives
edited October 2007 in Hardware
I got the unmountable boot volume message and my computer won't boot up at all even in safe mode. I made a winxp from a friends computer and tried it but my computer completely ignored it on start up so I made a dos boot disk and the computer is reading it but I can't figure out what the first command should be. The screen it is DOS protected mode services and the cursor is blinking by [dr-dos] A:\>

Anyone have any idea what I'm talking about?
Computer is Dell dimension 4600:cool:
Thanks for reading! Amber

Comments

  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited October 2007
    go into your bios and set the cdrom as the 1st (or 2nd after the floppy) boot device. Then reboot with just your xp cdrom in.
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    kryyst wrote:
    go into your bios and set the cdrom as the 1st (or 2nd after the floppy) boot device. Then reboot with just your xp cdrom in.


    I forgot to mention that I did that already. Also, the computer is reading the dos boot, it just wants a command. and I don't know what that command it. I didn't get a welcome or windows or anything like that. Just a bunch of print about the Dos cache etc. And now it seems to be expecting a command. I tried all the variations of chkdsk...
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited October 2007
    Can you switch to C:\ drive from that A:\ prompt? If not, it might be more than the boot sector that is corrupt on your hard drive.
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    GHoosdum wrote:
    Can you switch to C:\ drive from that A:\ prompt? If not, it might be more than the boot sector that is corrupt on your hard drive.
    How do I switch to C? in bios?
    Yes I can switch to c drive...it says [DR-DOS] c:\>
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited October 2007
    When you're at the A:\ prompt, simply type C: and hit Enter. If it doesn't give an error message and the A:\ prompt switches to a C:\ prompt, then your hard disk isn't as far gone as it could be...
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    Yes I can switch to c drive...it says [DR-DOS] c:\>
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2007
    Okay, we're going to attempt to recover your data. First we have to verify if your hard drive is good. Please follow this guide:

    http://icrontic.com/articles/hard_drive_diagnostics

    If that succeeds, do this:
    http://icrontic.com/articles/easy_data_recovery

    If that fails, then this:
    http://icrontic.com/articles/advanced_data_recovery

    And after all is said and done:

    Reinstall windows with this:
    http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_install_windows_xp
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    is there a command I should type at the c prompt? I have a dos boot disc, but I'm not sure what to do
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited October 2007
    What should you do with a Dos boot disk? Take it out and chunk it onto your desk somewhere. That was pretty much a waste of your time.

    Read Thraxs post again. Or concentrate on KRYSTS post about booting from the XP cd.
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    I was reading ahead and I looked at the final step (I haven't even started the first step yet, however). I don't have a windows xp cd as it was never given to me when I purchased my dell. Therefore, will I be able to proceed with this step or do I need to obtain a copy of windows xp somehow?
    Thrax wrote:
    Okay, we're going to attempt to recover your data. First we

    have to verify if your hard drive is good. Please follow this guide:

    http://icrontic.com/articles/hard_drive_diagnostics

    If that succeeds, do this:
    http://icrontic.com/articles/easy_data_recovery

    If that fails, then this:
    http://icrontic.com/articles/advanced_data_recovery

    And after all is said and done:

    Reinstall windows with this:
    http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_install_windows_xp
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2007
    If you were given a Dell recovery CD, you can use that (Which is easier). If you don't have one, you can order one for your Dell with your serial and model # handy.
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    So would a recovery cd from Dell be specifically for our computer? Our friend gave us a Magnell recovery cd for windows xp home but he said once we use it then we will never recover our personal files or pictures again. He's not a total computer whiz, but is he correct?
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited October 2007
    (long sigh....) YES your going to need a XP cd to install Windows XP.

    If you use that recovery disk everything on the computer is reverted back to it's original form from Dell.

    Tex
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2007
    The purpose of the articles I linked at the beginning of my post is to back up your information, so when you go to reformat your computer (Which you have to do to fix this issue), your info is safe.

    The magnell disc will not work. You need a full-fledged XP disc or the recovery CD for your computer.
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    Thrax wrote:
    The purpose of the articles I linked at the beginning of my post is to back up your information, so when you go to reformat your computer (Which you have to do to fix this issue), your info is safe.

    The magnell disc will not work. You need a full-fledged XP disc or the recovery CD for your computer.

    Thanks for your patience and advice. This is a great website and I appreciate your help very much!
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
    We miraculously found the actual Dell reinstallation cd for win xp home edition which has service pack 1a. There's no way to avoid sounding like a twit again but does this change any of the suggested steps above?
  • AmberlivesAmberlives
    edited October 2007
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  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2007
    Instead of the last article I linked (Installing XP), you can simply insert that CD and press F12 while your PC is first turning on. Choose the option to boot from CD, and run that disc. Do this AFTER all the other steps I have outlined, and you'll have your information safe, and a fresh PC.
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