Re: finding fail-safe default for XP laptop


Hi John

Thanks for your replies. I have not been able to get back onto the computer
until last night to try your suggestion. I feel I need to tell you though
that I am definitely no computer expert by any means. I am just a VERY basic
computer user trying to fix a laptop that doesnt seem to want to work along
with anything I have tried so far.
So . . .

I am currently at the screen where I have 3 options fozen with fear about
what to do next!:
.. To set up Windows XP - to repair Windows XP - or to quit Setup.

My question is : what happens when I select recovery console? What does this
do to the computer? Will this make the system lose important settings and
data? Or will it, llke I am thinking, jand hoping, just check and tell me
stuff?

Also, I checked out the link that you included in your last reply about
recovery console - I basically get the drift but do not have the skills or
the confidence to do what it suggests, and in some of the instructions I
would have absolutely no idea of what I was doing or what it would achieve.

I have used this type of forum support before to revivve an old system doing
all the various searching to find and create files, pathways, deleting and
creating partitions etc., eventuating in a very old system working again. It
was indeed a surprise, and it was a great sense of achievement that with the
tech info. I managed to understand and get an old system working well; one
that had-had many computer repair experts advise that it would never work
again, and that I should throw it away. Two years later its stil going. But
this time, its not a reinstall - its a restore - and I am worried! I have no
idea what harm I may do to the existing files and system.

Any help would once again be definitely appreciated.




"John John - MVP" wrote:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console for advanced users

You don't need to install the Recovery Console, you can boot to it with
your Windows XP CD. When you get to the Recovery Console run:

chkdsk /r


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

John

meggst wrote:
Okay well to answer your first question - if this is when you load your
windows disk and try to repair yes? Well I have tried that and no programs
appeared to select a repair; only the 3 partitions. I have just attempted
again and it cannot setup on partition 3(FAT32), or the other large partition
because it says it is full or has incompatible programs. It suggests to
delete partition and it will create a partition for windows. What would be
the best option?

Also:-

I tried the reload default in bios settings; I am not sure if the computer
accepted the continue to load defaults as it seemed to bounce straight back
to cancel tab. Regardless of this I exited and saved changes. I tried to
reboot after getting back to the startup options screen; safe mode, safe mode
with command prompt, last known configuration, normal windows etc;, I
selected last known configuration, but it didnt work. The blue error screen
appeared.

The machine is a dell inspiron 640m.

thanks



"John John - MVP" wrote:

First off, did you try fixing this by using the Recovery Console
(Chkdsk)? That would be usual first thing to try.

I don't know if returning the laptop to fail safe settings will fix this
all I can tell you is to try it and find out. If all else failed its
worth a try. If your computer worked well for a good while odds are
that it won't fix anything, but you might have a lucky strike!

If you want more help with your BIOS options and settings you should
give us the make and model number of your computer and maybe someone
reading here will be familiar with your computer be able to offer more
help. The BIOS options are more or less the same for all computers but
unless we know more about your computer and the BIOS manufacturer we can
only offer general guidance.

John

meggst wrote:
thanks. another question if you can help - so where it says load defaults I
accept and contimue? Is it reasonably straight forward from there? Should
this do the trick to get the laptop working again?
"John John - MVP" wrote:

Yes.

John

meggst wrote:
In attempting to sort out umountable_boot_volume error, the faqs suggest to
reload fail-safe default settings. Would this be in the BIOS settings when
hitting F12?

.

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