hbgal

My Dell 4700 has produced the blue screen stop error "unmountable boot volume". I cannot get it to restart at all. Dell is going to have a new hard drive installed but in the meantime I would like to be able to copy some of the data. Most was already backed up to a portable hard drive but some items of convenience would be good to have. I have read of the solution on the MS site that requires the Windows XP CD. The problem is that Dell did not provide me with an XP CD when I purchased the computer.

My question is; Is there any way to get this thing started back up without that CD?

acetech

Hi,
have you tried UBCD4WIN before - here
http://www.ubcd4win.com/contents.htm

may be able to access the HD and copy or burn your contents to disc

hbgal

I've gone to the referenced site but do not understand how that works or what to do. In the instructions I saw something about inserting the Windows XP CD, which I do not have. Can this tool be explained to me?

acetech

you do not need a windows xp cd
it will create one itself although a slimmed down version using files from your computer and system 32 folder - so no you do not require an xp cd


read the FAQ on the website for UBCD4win website
it really is a great peice of software you just need to boot up off the iso when your pc boots and your in can even surf the net / download updates for antivirus or whatever and all in a slimmed down version of a windows xp enviroment..

i have used the disc myself only a few times and am still learning some of the software tools available for use,
but in my opinion you can practically fix any issue you have with your pc as the tools range far and wide for all manners of fauts your pc can experience

Dunedin

Hello hbgal

Another way to rescue your data is to slave the hard drive in another machine and copy it off. Do you know someone with a computer who could help you with this?

http://www.dtidata.com/resourcecente...ve-hard-drive/

hbgal

Dell is going to replace the hard drive next week. I will have 7 days to return the old drive to Dell. Once the new hard drive is installed, could I use that to "slave" the damaged drive? I've read the directions on the link. Can a relative novice do this? The only thing I have done inside a CPU case is install a CD drive once and add memory. Is ther potential for damaging the new drive if not done exactly right?

Dunedin

I have just found a manual for your Dell Dimension 4700 Series . Is this the correct model?
The procedure is different as this is a SATA drive. Forget about the link I gave you before. Use this one.

http://www.webmadeeasy.net/ComputerD...nual/parts.htm

Click on Hard Drives on the left hand side.

You could slave the drive in your machine if you feel you could manage. You will have to handle the drive very carefully and not drop or knock it at all or it will be possible to damage it
The instructions show how to add a second drive. Have a read and see what you think. Is there no one else you could ask to help you?

hbgal

This appears to be my model. I have the manual downloaded to that machine.

I am pretty much on my own when it comes to computer stuff. My husband knows a whole lot less than I do. Ufortunately my computer savy son lives 400+ miles away!

So are you suggesting adding the bad drive as a second drive in order to attempt recovery? To access a 2nd drive would I do that the same way as I access my portable USB drive, etc. via Windows Explorer? Would doing this essentially be the same process that Best Buy would use to try to recover data? In other words, if I can install this as a 2nd or slave drive, would I have the same chance of recovery as Best Buy in-store service? They told me if they cannot get the data, they can send it out for data recovery but that is much more expensive. I have the critical data already on my portable drive but there are some things that I will have to recreate which will take time but not impossible.

Thanks for your advise. I need to figure out what I am going to do this weekend before the Dell tech comes here on Monday.

Dunedin

If you decide to try it and have problems, don`t be afraid to shout for help

Maybe the Hard Drive forum would be the best place for help with that.

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...drive-support/

Good luck

hbgal

Thanks so much for all the info! I will read all you referred me to indepth and give it a try. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Dunedin

You are very welcome

It isn`t really so difficult.
Remember to ground yourself before you begin

Handle the drives very carefully as if they were made of eggshells . Don`t drop, knock or shake them about. Just hold them by the edges (like RAM keep your fingers OFF)

Follow the instructions and don`t panic if you have problems. Other than a damaged drive someone here will be able to help you resolve them.

I`m sure you will manage and it will be a good learning experience for you.

hbgal

Well the old hard drive is now installed as a second drive in my now-working desktop. I'm surprised at how easy it was to install it! However, when I go to My Computer under "hard disk drives", it shows only one drive, Local Disk (C:). Does this mean the old drive is not working or could I have done something wrong? The old drive is a Maxtor Diamond Max SATA #6Y160M0. I used a UV SATA Cable to connect to the motherboard. I used the end of the power cable to plug into the old drive. Everything seems securely connected. If this were working would a second drive show up under "hard disk drives"?

hbgal

The now installed old hard drive just started making clicking sounds like it did when it was failing. I would think this means it is getting power anyway. It still does not show up under My Computer. I do not know how to check to see if it is in BIOS. I'm looking for that info on the hard drive forum.

hbgal

I just ran a hard drive diagnostics (F12 on startup). It shows the new hard drive in Drive 0 and "no device" in Drive 1. Is it time to forget about data recovery from the old hard drive?