Windows Troubleshooting tips
This simple but effective guide is dedicated to the troubleshooting of windows XP and the common errors and problems associated. Some of the most common error messages that are typically encountered by a majority of Windows XP users have been described below to help you deal with the unpredictable errors and crashes.
Unmountable boot volume Error:
Most often users encounter the error message of Unmountable boot volume while booting their computers. This might be occurring due to unavailability of the boot.ini file. The file may be corrupted or messed up and a possible remedy of this error is listed below:
1. Insert the Windows XP CD in your CD/DVD drive and boot your system.
2. Allow the setup to start and as soon as you see the “Welcome to setup” message, press the letter ‘R’ on your keyboard to enter the Recovery Console.
3. Select the Windows installation to be repaired
4. When you enter the DOS prompt type: chkdsk /p [Enter]
5. Next, enter the following commands: type: fixboot [Enter], Type: Y [Enter], then type: exit [Enter]
6. This will reboot your PC into windows.
NTLDR is not found during boot up error:
For those who have FAT32 partitions in their system, a simple tip is to boot the pc with a Win98 floppy and copy the required NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM files from the i386 directory to the root of the C:\ drive.
For those individuals who have NTFS partitions the procedure is somewhat lengthy. The following are the steps you need to take in order resolve the error:
1. The first step two steps involved are the same as mentioned for the FAT32 partitions case.
2. After pressing the R key on your keyboard, you will be asked to press the number that corresponds to the exact location where you wish to install/repair the windows.
3. Enter in the administrator password if asked.
4. Next, enter in the following commands:
• COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C\:
• COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:\
5. Type exit after taking out the CD
NTOSKRNL Missing or Corrupt Error:
If you encounter the error of NTOSKRNL not found then the solution to this problem is quite simple. Follow the first three steps as mentioned in the above case and then jump to the following procedures:
1. Change to the drive that has the CD ROM.
2. CD i386
3. expand ntkrnlmp.ex_ C:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe
4. If you have installed your in a different location, then simple change to C:\Windows
5. Take out the CD ROM and type exit
HAL.DLL Missing or Corrupt Error:
This error is usually caused by problems in the configuration of the BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive.
1. Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file
2. Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair it
3. Take out the CD ROM and type exit