XP can't boot - UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

[headache]

a friend powered off the computer when the scanner seemed forzen up. can't boot since then. not even safe mode. all we could get is an ugly blue screen with "UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME" listed (i forgot to get the error code...).

will repairing XP work? i tried booting using the XP disk, got in the repair program and saw a list of commands. my hunch wants to try "FIXBOOT" or "FIXMBR". should i try it? is it gonna wipe the HD? or should i start planning for a format/install?

not sure if it matters... i ran chkdisk and it says that one or more error is found.

thanks...

[glc]

Use the console and do a CHKDSK /R this time. CHKDSK with no switches won't fix anything, it only reports errors. If you have any bad sectors, plan on replacing the hard drive, you need to run the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostics.

[headache]

will try that. thanks for the help!