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General discussion

Windows did not start successfully + Unmountable Boot Volume

by chyorain Aug 6, 2007 3:31PM PDT

Hi

I have a Toshiba T9100 laptop, and recently while I was listening to some music with Windows Media Player it suddenly crashed, showing a blue screen with the error description 'Unmountable Boot Volume'.

When I try to restart it, a black screen appears saying:

We apologize for any inconvienience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.
Please choose an option below by using the up or down arrows on your keyboard:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Promt
Last Known Configuration
Start Windows Normally

I've tried all the options but after seemingly trying to boot Windows up, it would bring me back to the blue error screen 'Unmountable Boot Volume'.

I am wondering now if it is still possible to retrieve the data on the hard disk.

What, I just realized, adds on to the problem is that Windows XP was pre-installed on the laptop and I do not have the installation CD.

Am not very technically-inclined; any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Since you have no restore/repair CD the options are
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Aug 6, 2007 7:42PM PDT

Limited. Repair is not one of them given no CDs or tools. But your files can be saved. Here's how.

Method 1 - Remove the hard disk from the laptop and use a SATA USB HARD ENCLOSURE (for laptop drives) or a PATA USB HARD DISK ENCLOSURE to hold your drive then go to another PC to copy out your files.

Method 2 - This requires some research (I won't duplicate web pages about it) about LiveCD Linux CDs. These are free to download and once you boot one you might find you can copy your files from your laptop to some USB memory key.

Remember that most laptop makers will sell you recovery CDs unless they ran out but this is not usually safe for your files.

Did anyone every warn you about backup?

Bob

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similar problem, but....
by jgswope Aug 14, 2007 2:14PM PDT

I have essentially the same issue. I've removed the HDD and installed it in an enclosure. I can explore the disk, but apparently my son had a password because I cannot access Owner's Document. Is there a way to solve this and still copy the files?

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In your case try Taking Ownership
by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Aug 14, 2007 7:50PM PDT
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Take Ownership, Give Thanks!
by jgswope Aug 15, 2007 2:19AM PDT

Mark, Thank you. It helped a lot. Those of us who know just enough to be dangerous appreciate those of you who really know how these dang things work.

Perhaps my son will backup his data as I have suggested 1000 times. Oh, who am I kidding, no he won't.

Thank you again.

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Glad I could help
by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Aug 15, 2007 2:21AM PDT

And that backing up? It's often a sore point. Many don't understand until they lose everything, then it's too late.

Mark

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