UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME using Hiren's Boot Cd but i could really use some help

[stickingwig]

so I got this blue warning screen on my computer and I did some reading on this site about a program called Hiren's Boot CD so I burned the program onto a disc but I'm not too knowledgeable on how to use the program. Is there a way I can possibly try to create a recovery disc from the program or can I only try to salvage what's left on my hard drive? I did some reading on how to run it but I don't think I am reading it right.

 

[Tom Tancredi]

That means the drive is dead / broken (the volume of storage is damaged, erased, broken) so everything on it is gone or too corrupted to be retrievable. Depending on how old this computer is, it might just be more cost effective to buy a new PC. For example if you get a new Hard Drive, assuming you have all your install CDs for Windows and everything else, that is at least $99. But a new i3 Core PC (low end use) is at Walmart for $249 and does come sometimes with a new LCD in the box too.

 

[ramond3]

im not sure.but maybe hirens has solutions under HDD.using this to revive my hardisk back years: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/.
i got lucky,try everything under HDD (i remembered was a chinese name who made it).your hardisk is corrupted.if found successful.install that OS again.if installed.u can create a recovery read below.
To install the Recovery Console, perform the following steps:

Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive.

Click Start, and then click Run.

In the Open box, type

d:'i386'winnt32.exe /cmdcons

where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive.

A Windows Setup Dialog Box appears, which describes the Recovery Console option.

The system prompts you to confirm installation. Click Yes to start the installation procedure.

Restart the computer. The next time you start your computer, you will see a "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" entry on the boot menu.

 

[Tom Tancredi]

im not sure.but maybe hirens has solutions under HDD.using this to revive my hardisk back years: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/.
i got lucky,try everything under HDD (i remembered was a chinese name who made it).your hardisk is corrupted.if found successful.install that OS again.if installed.u can create a recovery read below.
To install the Recovery Console, perform the following steps:

Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive.

Click Start, and then click Run.

In the Open box, type

d:'i386'winnt32.exe /cmdcons

where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive.

A Windows Setup Dialog Box appears, which describes the Recovery Console option.

The system prompts you to confirm installation. Click Yes to start the installation procedure.

Restart the computer. The next time you start your computer, you will see a "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" entry on the boot menu.

The problem isn't software (Windows) the problem is the drive entire VOLUME that says X amount of space exists on this drive is toast. A volume loss (not just simply MBR error) is indicator normally of HDD failure and loss (physical issue). Considering the age of the system is probably more then 5 years old (XP install), then the system needs to be replaced as buying components (new HDD is $129 minimum) is more expensive and not worth the cost as compared to a full system replacement (new PCs are made to be as 'disposable' like cell phones and about the same price if you check both out).

 

[Saga Lout]

Linux systems can often allow access to a volume that Windows can't mount and it's worth trying it. Hiren and Pankar's software is Linux based but it also contains an unlicenced stripped down version of XP so we can't support its use here in Tom's but any Linux system is worth a try.

Tom Tancredi is right about the disk but if your personal files are important to you, download a Liux OS, burn it to CD with an ISO using ImgBurn or similar and see what you can find. My personal favourite is PCLinuxOS from http://www.pclinuxos.com.

Point of interest/argument - in the last six weeks I've fixed the systems by reinstalling on to new disks on fourteen dead laptops with hard disks failure. All the originals were manufactured during or soon after the floods in Thailand in 2011. I have to wonder if flood damaged stock was released regardless of condition and also whether the companies hurriedly contracted as replacement suppliers were up to the mark.

Linux has helped retain some data but mostly, the disks had converted to RAW and totally wiped clean,

 

[Tom Tancredi]

Linux systems can often allow access to a volume that Windows can't mount and it's worth trying it. ....
Point of interest/argument - in the last six weeks I've fixed the systems by reinstalling on to new disks on fourteen dead laptops with hard disks failure. All the originals were manufactured during or soon after the floods in Thailand in 2011. I have to wonder if flood damaged stock was released regardless of condition and also whether the companies hurriedly contracted as replacement suppliers were up to the mark.

Linux has helped retain some data but mostly, the disks had converted to RAW and totally wiped clean,

Very true, or better yet buy a external USB ($79 for 1TB at Walmart) then boot off a Linux Distro (personally like Ubuntux) CD, and see if it can view the drive then copy the MyDocuments, Videos, etc. FORGET trying to copy Windows, Applications (like Word, etc.) or any Games, those have files all over the place and no way to ensure you get all the necessary stuff to make it work.

IMHO I think it has to do more with consumers / users not reading 'the fine print' on the systems. If you look at the details for the past few years (yeah I am geek that way) it says the HDD are ONLY guaranteed for 1 year from date of purchase on the cheaper systems (ACER, etc.) and 2-3 years for more expensive systems (Dell), though the average consumer wants the computer to work the 'same way as I first bought it' for 5-8 years (unrealistic really).

I have seen alot of these posts on these computers on systems 4-8 years old and consumers completely baffled why it doesn't last longer.

 

[Chicano]

Boot into the Hiren's Boot CD... if it can see the Hard Drive contents, then you can repair it or backup your files. "Unmountable boot volume" means the Hard Drive is detected but it can't boot... and when Hard Drives are dead they mostly can't be detected, so there's a chance your HD is repairable with a chkdsk.

To rescue/backup files plug a USB hard drive or pendrive and copy your files on it.

To repair the hard drive open a command prompt window and type: "CHKDSK C: /R"... when the check is done, restart and try booting from the Hard Drive.

Even if files aren't visible, Hiren's has some Hard Drive and Partition tools that may help repair the HD, find and mount lost partitions, etc.

 

[Jeremy Shanks]

I just had a hard disk go bad on me and the way I determined that the drive was bad was to boot into a ubuntu linux live disk and ran a program called gsmartcontrol to check the disk. Maybe you can try doing this as it will not cause you to lose your files while checking. If the hard drive is bad while you are booted into the live disk you can copy your personal files that you need to a flash drive or external drive.