BSOD-Unmountable & others

antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the keys
most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to boot from
the CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode and
Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to enter
Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get such a
menu.

antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the keys
most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to boot from
the CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode and
Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to enter
Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get such a
menu.

"antioch" wrote in message
...

"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc. with
key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from CD -
this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but alas not at
the moment.

Antioch

Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off for 30
mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in double quick
time.
But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not start.
So while I have it running I will look through event viewer etc and see if a
chkdsk works.
I forgot to add the XP disc, it is not the retail type i.e. it is tied to my
current computer which I had built to my specs 5 years ago. The difference
between OEM and Retail genuine XP disc has been a regular topic in this
newsgroup - the main difference being with an OEM I cannot install it on
another computer - well not legally - but it is possible :-)
So for the moment, I am going back to re-read the post from Jose and follow
the instructions there.
I see you have not yet taken that leap of faith to Windows Live Mail and
still on the OE6.
I am using WLM - I miss OE 6 but now I am used to WLM I will not be going
back.
It is a big improvement to WM.

Antioch

"antioch" wrote in message
...

"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc. with
key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from CD -
this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but alas not at
the moment.

Antioch

Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off for 30
mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in double quick
time.
But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not start.
So while I have it running I will look through event viewer etc and see if a
chkdsk works.
I forgot to add the XP disc, it is not the retail type i.e. it is tied to my
current computer which I had built to my specs 5 years ago. The difference
between OEM and Retail genuine XP disc has been a regular topic in this
newsgroup - the main difference being with an OEM I cannot install it on
another computer - well not legally - but it is possible :-)
So for the moment, I am going back to re-read the post from Jose and follow
the instructions there.
I see you have not yet taken that leap of faith to Windows Live Mail and
still on the OE6.
I am using WLM - I miss OE 6 but now I am used to WLM I will not be going
back.
It is a big improvement to WM.

Antioch

antioch wrote:

Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off
for 30 mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in
double quick time.
But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not
start.

What are your power settings set for? Do you use Hiberbnation or System
Standby? Which method do you use to "switch off?"

antioch wrote:

Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off
for 30 mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in
double quick time.
But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not
start.

What are your power settings set for? Do you use Hiberbnation or System
Standby? Which method do you use to "switch off?"

"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the keys
most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to boot from the
CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode and
Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to enter
Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get such a menu.

At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of screen
DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.
If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after that I
get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get the Advanced
Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.
However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured
window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD DRIVE]
and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].
I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select then enter
or ESC to use defaults.

This the order in which they are in the Bios.

Hope I have explained this clearly.

Antioch

"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the keys
most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to boot from the
CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode and
Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to enter
Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get such a menu.

At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of screen
DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.
If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after that I
get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get the Advanced
Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.
However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured
window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD DRIVE]
and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].
I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select then enter
or ESC to use defaults.

This the order in which they are in the Bios.

Hope I have explained this clearly.

Antioch

"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:

Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off
for 30 mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in
double quick time.
But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not
start.

What are your power settings set for? Do you use Hiberbnation or System
Standby? Which method do you use to "switch off?"

I do not know what the power settings are - are they in Bios - if so will
get them later.
Never use Hibernation or standby - I exit via Start/Turn off.
I will be away from the computer for a while.

Antioch

"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:

Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off
for 30 mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in
double quick time.
But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not
start.

What are your power settings set for? Do you use Hiberbnation or System
Standby? Which method do you use to "switch off?"

I do not know what the power settings are - are they in Bios - if so will
get them later.
Never use Hibernation or standby - I exit via Start/Turn off.
I will be away from the computer for a while.

Antioch

antioch wrote:
"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to
you. Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the
keys most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to
boot from the CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode
and Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to
enter Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get
such a menu.
At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of
screen DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.
If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after
that I get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get
the Advanced Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.
However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured
window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD
DRIVE] and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].
I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select
then enter or ESC to use defaults.

This the order in which they are in the Bios.

Hope I have explained this clearly.

If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive in
the BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press
*anything* when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it
boot off the CD? If you are running off the XP installation CD, you
should see this screen:

http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images...stall-xp-1.jpg

Do you?

What is the make and model of your motherboard?

antioch wrote:
"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to
you. Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the
keys most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to
boot from the CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode
and Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to
enter Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get
such a menu.
At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of
screen DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.
If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after
that I get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get
the Advanced Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.
However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured
window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD
DRIVE] and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].
I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select
then enter or ESC to use defaults.

This the order in which they are in the Bios.

Hope I have explained this clearly.

If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive in
the BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press
*anything* when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it
boot off the CD? If you are running off the XP installation CD, you
should see this screen:

http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images...stall-xp-1.jpg

Do you?

What is the make and model of your motherboard?

"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to
you. Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the
keys most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to
boot from the CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode
and Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to
enter Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get
such a menu.
At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of
screen DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.
If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after
that I get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get
the Advanced Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.
However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured
window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD
DRIVE] and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].
I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select
then enter or ESC to use defaults.

This the order in which they are in the Bios.

Hope I have explained this clearly.

If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive in the
BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press *anything*
when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it boot off the CD?
If you are running off the XP installation CD, you should see this screen:

http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images...stall-xp-1.jpg

Do you?

What is the make and model of your motherboard?

Boot order in Bios is floppy, HDD then CD Rom. The order in that small
coloured window which I get with F8 at the IDE scan is in no particular
order - its just there to select.
I have put the ISO disc in and started the boot - I get no 'press any key to
boot from CD.....'
But if I pick CD from that coloured window, I do get that prompt.
I also get the same result with the WIN XP disc in the computer. The only
variance is at the end of the Rec. Con activity - as to what I can/cannot
enter in the command line.
So I would conclude that of course the CD does not have a higher priority
boot in the bios - as I believe they are the default settings as I mentioned
above.

Oh, nearly forgot - yes I can also use DEL at the first screen to enter
setup - then I go to BOOT in the menu. But I do not like going to places
where I have no idea what I am doing - bit like the registry.
To me it appears that it matters not what disc is in there - they booth
require CD boot to be selected and both behave erratically in the Rec. Con.
Hope that answers all your question.
MB is an Asus P5LD2.

FOR INFO OF JOSE - sorry to include here in my reply to Daave -

I have tried to run command prompt chkdsk C: /r - it will not accept it with
the ISO disc/nor the XP disc. - only on CHKDSK will it run..

"Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the
computer." You can only eject the CD after you exit, not before.

"If you still have a BSOD................." When I get it, it is now only
the 'unmountable' - none as yet of the others.

"Download BlueScreenView from he" Thanks - a very handy gadget.

The XP disc I have is for install, repair, recovery amongst other things - I
have used it many times to get small files for
repair/replace/missing/corrupt.

As I have said before, I cannot enter the chkdsk C: /r - it matters not
which disc I use. Then why is that not an option in the help command
lines????
But just to confirm I get this at the command line C:\ - what I can type
in there is I am afraid hit and miss, and if something does take then more
often than not I get 'the path or file specified is not valid'. Perhaps I
am not typing the entry properly but I have tried many ways.
The last Rec Con I ran I was able to do CHKDSK [not with the 'r'] - refused
it.
At the end I got 'the volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable
errors.
I entered exit - rebooted and up fired windows - but then this has been
happening for no logical reason. So I do not dare to Turn Off because I
know it will not come back again on restart.

Sorry re the delay with covering all your points/questions and advice - it
has been much appreciated. I hope I have done them to the letter - sorry if
the results have been a negative.

Many thanks you you both - your time and patience is appreciated - I am NOT
looking forward to going back to those archaic/cranky web interface
discussion groups.

Rgds
Antioch

"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"Daave" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hi Daave
Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to
you. Antioch

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.
with key code.
It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.
I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from
CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but
alas not at the moment.

Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the
keys most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to
boot from the CD). More info:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode
and Last Known Good Configuration.

Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to
enter Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get
such a menu.
At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of
screen DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.
If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after
that I get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get
the Advanced Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.
However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured
window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD
DRIVE] and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].
I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select
then enter or ESC to use defaults.

This the order in which they are in the Bios.

Hope I have explained this clearly.

If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive in the
BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press *anything*
when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it boot off the CD?
If you are running off the XP installation CD, you should see this screen:

http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images...stall-xp-1.jpg

Do you?

What is the make and model of your motherboard?

Boot order in Bios is floppy, HDD then CD Rom. The order in that small
coloured window which I get with F8 at the IDE scan is in no particular
order - its just there to select.
I have put the ISO disc in and started the boot - I get no 'press any key to
boot from CD.....'
But if I pick CD from that coloured window, I do get that prompt.
I also get the same result with the WIN XP disc in the computer. The only
variance is at the end of the Rec. Con activity - as to what I can/cannot
enter in the command line.
So I would conclude that of course the CD does not have a higher priority
boot in the bios - as I believe they are the default settings as I mentioned
above.

Oh, nearly forgot - yes I can also use DEL at the first screen to enter
setup - then I go to BOOT in the menu. But I do not like going to places
where I have no idea what I am doing - bit like the registry.
To me it appears that it matters not what disc is in there - they booth
require CD boot to be selected and both behave erratically in the Rec. Con.
Hope that answers all your question.
MB is an Asus P5LD2.

FOR INFO OF JOSE - sorry to include here in my reply to Daave -

I have tried to run command prompt chkdsk C: /r - it will not accept it with
the ISO disc/nor the XP disc. - only on CHKDSK will it run..

"Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the
computer." You can only eject the CD after you exit, not before.

"If you still have a BSOD................." When I get it, it is now only
the 'unmountable' - none as yet of the others.

"Download BlueScreenView from he" Thanks - a very handy gadget.

The XP disc I have is for install, repair, recovery amongst other things - I
have used it many times to get small files for
repair/replace/missing/corrupt.

As I have said before, I cannot enter the chkdsk C: /r - it matters not
which disc I use. Then why is that not an option in the help command
lines????
But just to confirm I get this at the command line C:\ - what I can type
in there is I am afraid hit and miss, and if something does take then more
often than not I get 'the path or file specified is not valid'. Perhaps I
am not typing the entry properly but I have tried many ways.
The last Rec Con I ran I was able to do CHKDSK [not with the 'r'] - refused
it.
At the end I got 'the volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable
errors.
I entered exit - rebooted and up fired windows - but then this has been
happening for no logical reason. So I do not dare to Turn Off because I
know it will not come back again on restart.

Sorry re the delay with covering all your points/questions and advice - it
has been much appreciated. I hope I have done them to the letter - sorry if
the results have been a negative.

Many thanks you you both - your time and patience is appreciated - I am NOT
looking forward to going back to those archaic/cranky web interface
discussion groups.

Rgds
Antioch

antioch wrote:
"Daave" wrote in message

If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive
in the BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press
*anything* when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it
boot off the CD? If you are running off the XP installation CD, you
should see this screen:
http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images...stall-xp-1.jpg

Do you?

What is the make and model of your motherboard?

Boot order in Bios is floppy, HDD then CD Rom. The order in that
small coloured window which I get with F8 at the IDE scan is in no
particular order - its just there to select.
I have put the ISO disc in and started the boot - I get no 'press any
key to boot from CD.....'
But if I pick CD from that coloured window, I do get that prompt.
I also get the same result with the WIN XP disc in the computer. The
only variance is at the end of the Rec. Con activity - as to what I
can/cannot enter in the command line.
So I would conclude that of course the CD does not have a higher
priority boot in the bios - as I believe they are the default
settings as I mentioned above.

I think you are getting too hung up on this F8 IDE scan.

You need to simplify this process!

Just place the CD ahead of the hard drive in the boot order. If there is
no CD in the drive, then it will boot off the hard drive anyway.
Furthermore, you can always undo the change. It is simple and safe (as
long as you don't purposefully change other settings).

Oh, nearly forgot - yes I can also use DEL at the first screen to
enter setup - then I go to BOOT in the menu.

This is what you need to do! Then make the CD-ROM drive the first (or
second) priority (as long as it precedes the HDD).

But I do not like going
to places where I have no idea what I am doing - bit like the
registry.

This is basic. If it really bothers you that much, you should find a
tech to do this for you. But if you reconsider, simply jot down all the
BIOS settings. This is way you have a record of them in case you ever
need to reset them.

To me it appears that it matters not what disc is in there - they
booth require CD boot to be selected and both behave erratically in
the Rec. Con. Hope that answers all your question.

The erratic behavior should disappear once you act upon my suggestion.
:-)

MB is an Asus P5LD2.

When I have more time, I will look into this motherboard and the F8 IDE
scan you mention.

Finally, there is no such thing as an ISO disc. Perhaps you mean the
bootable RC disc you created based on an .iso file you downloaded? If
this is the case, it is imperative that you burn it the correct way with
the correct software. Many people make the common mistake of simply
burning (i.e., copying) the file onto the CD. Which method and software
did you use?