Exact Error Message:
STOP 0x000000ED (0xaaaaaaaa,0xbbbbbbbb,0xcccccccc,0xdddddddd)
UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
(Note: aaaaaaaa, bbbbbbbb, cccccccc, and dddddddd are hexadecimal numbers)
Following are the situations in which you might get this error message
1. UDMA Hard Disk Controller issues
- You are using UDMA on a 40 wire cable (Which is meant for DMA).
- The basic input/output system (BIOS) settings are configured to force the faster UDMA modes.
UDMA stands for Ultra Direct Memory Access. This is an improvement over DMA (Direct Memory Access).
UDMA requires 80 Wire 40 Pin cable to connect. whereas DMA requires a 40 wire cable to connect.
2. The file system is damaged and cannot be mounted
Solution:
There are 2 troubleshooting sequences you can try:
- Try and Repair the Volume
Warning: You might lose some data in the process of repairing the Volume. Also these steps involve changes in BIOS, if you are not comfortable doing them do not try them!!.
In order to repair the volume, you will have to boot to Recovery Console. You would need either of following to boot the computer to Recovery Console:
- Startup Disk for Windows XP
- OS Installation disk for Windows XP
You would also need the Administrator Password to access Recovery Console.
Once you have either the Startup Disk or OS installation disk handy, perform following steps:
- Change the boot sequence to either Floppy or CD in BIOS, depending on what you are using (Startup Disk – Floppy, Installation Disk – CD)
- Boot the computer using Startup Disk or CD and press R to select Repair option on Welcome to Setup
- You will be prompted for Administrator Password, once you enter it you will be inside Recovery Console.
- Type chkdsk /r and press Enter.
- This will run the repair on the Volume, it will take some time to let it be for a while.
- Once the repair is complete, check if it has found any errors or not. Restart you computer and check if the issue is resolved.
- If you are still getting the same error message, boot to Recovery Console again and type fixboot and press Enter.
Restart your computer and check if it works. If it still does not work, in all probability issue is with HDD cable and BIOS settings. move to next troubleshooting sequence.
2. Check the HDD Cable and BIOS settings
If repairing the Volume does not help, you can try to change a setting in BIOS and check the HDD cable you are using.
Try following:
- In the BIOS settings for your computer, load the ‘Fail-Safe’ default settings, and then reactivate the most frequently used options, such as USB Support
- Check your Hard Disk connecting cable. If you are using a 40 wire cable, change it with a 80 wire cable.
Hope this helps !!!!
