[Breannamorgan16]

My laptop has been trying to do an automatic repair for about a day now. It was fine one minute, then it died and I tried to restart it and it gave me a blue error screen that says something like automatic repair failed retrying in 30 seconds and to find more info search unmounted_boot_volume. What does this mean and how do I fix it?

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I should also say that it can't load past the start up where it shows the HP logo. It goes from there, to a black screen, to the blue screen mentioned above, and back to a black screen and then repeats the process.

[Breannamorgan16]

I should also say that it can't load past the start up where it shows the HP logo. It goes from there, to a black screen, to the blue screen mentioned above, and back to a black screen and then repeats the process.

[phillpower2]

    Breannamorgan16,

 

Two possible causes, 1: Windows has somehow become corrupted, 2: The HDD itself has problems.

 

Couple of questions if I may;

 

What is the model name or number of the HP notebook, this so that we can check the specifications such as whether or not it has a DVD/CD drive.

 

Do you have a Windows 8/8.1 DVD or HP system restore disk/s, may be needed to repair a damaged OS.

 

Is there data on the HDD that you would like to try and back up, we can provide steps for this once we know the computer specs.

 

Has the HDD been making any odd noises, been slow to access previous to this happening and how much free storage space was/is available on the HDD, this info will help us to determine if this is a Windows or a HDD issue.

[Breannamorgan16]

It's an HP Envy x360 TouchSmart. The model number is 15-u010dx.

I don't have any system restore disks.

Yes, I have data I would like to try and back up.

As far as I remember, it wasn't slow or making any weird noises, and I can't remember exactly how much free space is available but I know it was no where near being out of storage space.

[phillpower2]

So no DVD drive then meaning that any data recovery that may need to be done will be via a USB device, will come back to this after you have tried doing the following to see if you can get into Safe Mode, you may need to try this using a USB keyboard if you have or can borrow one, how to boot into Safe Mode guide here

 

If we are unable to fix this here you will need to purchase recovery media on a USB stick direct from HP, this because Microsoft are not responsible for offering support and you will not be able to download an ISO direct from them.

[phillpower2]

Not heard back from you Breannamorgan16, do you still require assistance or is the issue now resolved, an update would be appreciated.

[Breannamorgan16]

I was out of town this past weekend, so I haven't had time to try out your suggestion. I will try tonight and then get back to you.

[phillpower2]

No problem and thank you for getting back to us 

[Breannamorgan16]

So trying a USB keyboard didn't work. When I try booting to safe mode and a system recovery on the laptop it says what either safe mode or system recovery in the bottom left hand corner.

[Breannamorgan16]

That was without using the keyboard, by the way. The keyboard had no effect on the laptop whatsoever.

[phillpower2]

When I try booting to safe mode and a system recovery on the laptop it says what either safe mode or system recovery in the bottom left hand corner. 

 

 

Not sure what you mean there, can you explain a little more for us please.

 

Keyboard info acknowledged.

[Breannamorgan16]

So when I press shift + F8 on the keyboard on the laptop, on the bottom left hand side of the screen, it says F8... Safe Mode. And when I press shift + F11 it says F11... System recovery on the bottom left hand side.

[phillpower2]

Does anything happen if you try pressing F8 again when you see the Safe Mode message in the corner, just wanting to check this before posting the info for you to try and back up your data off the HDD.

[Breannamorgan16]

No nothing happens

[phillpower2]

Best Answer

Thanks for checking 

 

For backing up your data, the method that you need to use will depend on how much data there is, if only a few GB you could use USB thumb drives but if there are many GBs you would be better off backing up to an external USB HDD, the info below includes the steps for both burning Puppy Linux to disc and the USB thumb drive method that you will need to use;

 

For computers that have UEFI as opposed to legacy BIOS, to be able to boot from your USB device you may need to disable secure boot and change UEFI to CSM Boot, not all computers and BIOS are the same, please refer to your user manual if you have one as the following steps are only one such example. 

 

Restart the computer, Windows 8 and 8.1 from the Start or desktop screen move your mouse pointer over the upper or lower right corner of the screen, when the Windows Charms appear click the Settings Charm, click on Power and then the Restart option.

 

Windows 10, Click on Start,Power and then Restart.

 

While the computer is re-starting,you will need to continually tap or hold down the particular key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer, we will use the F2 key as an example here;

 

After restarting the computer, when the screen goes black, press and hold down the F2 key, wait for the BIOS to load.

 

Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

 

If your computer will not boot into Windows at all, power up or restart the computer continually tap or hold down the key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer and then do the following;

 

Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

 

 

 

=================== 

***Required Hardware*** 

CD Burner (CDRW) Drive, 

Blank CD, 

Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)

=================== 

 

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

• Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso) 
  

   

  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software 

   

  There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivel...e-from-windows/ 

   

   

   



• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer 
  

   

   



• Extract All files to a location you can remember 
  

   

   



• Double Click BurnCDCC 
  

   

   



• Click Browse and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded 
  

   

   



• Open/Double Click that file 
  

   

  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x 

   



• Click Start  
  

   

   



• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically 
  

   

   



• Insert a blank CD and close the tray 
  

   

   



• Click OK 
  

   

   

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created

 

 

2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second 

 

•  
  

   

   



• Start the computer/press the power button 
  

   

   



• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup" 
  

   

  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen) 

   



• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to: 
  

   

  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd 

   



• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk 
  

   

   



• Press F10 to save and exit 
  

   

   



• Agree with "Y" to continue 
  

   

   



• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD 
  

   

   

   

   

 

 

 

 

3.  Recover Your Data 

 

• Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM).  You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer".  Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning.  Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy.  To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once.  Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to.  This is normal.  Ready?  Let's get started. 
  

   

   

  3a. Mount Drives 

   



• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.  
  

   

   



• A Window will open.  By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted.  Click on Mount for your hard drive. 
  

   

   



• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount. 
  

   

   



• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted. 
  

   

   



• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab.  Mount it now. 
  

   

   

 

 

3b. Transfer Files.

•  
  

   

   



• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon. 
  

   

   



• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1 
  

   

   



• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1 
  

   

   



• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows) 
  

   

   



• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window. 
  

   

   

 

 

For The Novice:  The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders for XP is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each individual name of each user, for Vista and above  C:\Users\$USERNAME\[...]. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos. 

 

Remember to only click once!  No double clicking!  Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy.  Choose COPY each time you drag and drop. 

 

YOU ARE DONE!!!  Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer.  Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!