Verified answer

Does the error code also mention Unmountable Boot Volume? the stop error code usually refers to a failure to mount the hard drive.

The diagnostics test gives it away, media test fail means it is trying to boot from a network device not the hard drive.

F2 or Del at boot to get into the BIOS, check two things, is the Hard Drive listed in the BIOS, yes then good, now make sure in the Boot options it is still set to boot from the HD before the network device, if not change it and you issue is solved.

If no HD listed then either the cable has come off (or broken) or the drive has failed. Check the drive is still connected (if a laptop remove and reseat the HD in its tray) by unplugging and reconnecting the cables at both ends and reboot.

If it still fails to register, then your drive is broken, replace it.

If it registers but just does not boot then you need a Windows CD.

Boot from the CD, get into the Recovery Console (press R at the 1st option in XP, for Vista / W7 press the repair option, go to Command Prompt)

type chkdsk /r

press Enter

allow it to run (may take a few hours depending on the HD size and errors present on the drive)

when finished type exit

press enter

reboot if it does not do it automatically

hopefully problem solved, if not then you need further diagnostics on your HD or just buy a new one and reload Windows, your data may be recoverable but often this will need specialist help.

I would need the dump file to be sure, however; if you can hit F8 while booting and select safe mode, if you can log into windows and restore back to a day before you got this error it might help?

If you have a cable in a laptop unplugged it would need to be taken to someone that knows laptops.

You can open it yourself ( provided it is out of warranty) if it is under warranty I would call dell and ask for a service ticket..

It sounds like your DVD drive or sound card from the description.. Might also be the hard drive if it goes straight to the blue-screen..

Push come to shove, i could look at it if you mailed it to us..

Frank

I'm not sure what the problem is, but last time I had a problem booting my Dell, I was told to press the power button and then keep pressing F8, until a screen with options comes up, click on something like boot normally/boot windows normally.

About a month ago it was revealed that around 11 million reported Dell computers have undergone system failure due to faulty motherboards. Dell tried to cover it up. Depending on the cost of the model, it may be cheaper to get a whole new computer than to replace the motherboard, which is one of the most expensive components of the computer.

in case you have vista pre-put in your complicatedpersistent would be partitioned into 2 drives c and d dpersistent could have the vista bot information put in on it and you may desire to actual have a restoration cd that got here with the laptop attempt utilising the fix disk turn off your laptop put in the fix disk and boot up the laptop. notice in case you have issues which contain your laptop and are available to a determination to format the complicatedpersistent confirm you in ordinary terms format the top cpersistent and not the d partition in case you loose your vista boot information the restoration cd won't artwork and you will could desire to get a sparkling vista os to reinstall it

Before you do anything, try to replace the cables from the motherboard to your hard drive, it could be that the cables have failed and need to be replaced.