Question : Windows XP starting troubles

Recently my new Dell has been acting strangely when starting up.  At least half of the time, I will get the error message "Windows XP Home can not start, unmounted volumn."  I will try to restart and will get the same thing. It will take several restarts before I get to the Window not starting properly screen and then I still choose start windows normally and it starts fine.  There are also a few times where I got the error message system configuration is corrupted or something.  

Is this a sign that there might be some problems with the hard disk? or it's windows problem?

Answer : Windows XP starting troubles

Good advice thus far and first do as hnminh suggested about backing up your data before doing anything else. If you still are having problems then next time you are able to get into XP do this

Start > Run > chkdsk /r

Click on the OK button and if get this message

"Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process.  Would you like to schedule this volume to be
checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)"

Then type in the letter y and then hit the ENTER key. Now reboot. This will scan the disk for errors and possible bad sectors. When it is finished and if and when you can reboot into XP run defrag. If the problem still exists then you might try using the the System Restore feature since by reading your comments this is a recent development meaning that the system had been running OK at one point.

HOW TO: Restore the Operating System to a Previous State in Windows XP (Q306084)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q306084

If this doesn't work try booting to your XP CD and do a refresh install or Repair.

If this doesn't help either then one would have to suspect you have a problem with the disk or the the ribbon cable or the cable connection is loose or the IDE controller is bad or the mother board has a problem.


The Crazy One