I recently got an error message "UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME"
I run my recovey console only to have the hard drive formated and all my data lost, now I want to know if i could recover the data lost and how can i do it without having to take my pc to a technician at best buy or elsewhere.
Any advice will be welcome
thanks

I think you mean UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME.
Your data are not lost and neither ur windows, it is only the boot sequence that is damaged. Solveing this problem is easy, and returning every thing it's original state too! follow the steps below to solve the problem:

Damaged File System:

1. Boot from your Windows XP CD. You might need to change the settings at the laptop's BIOS. Most modern BIOS nowadays support a "boot menu", where you can specify which device to boot from without changing the CMOS settings. It is usually tied to the F9 or F10 keypress before the machine boots.

2. I do not know if you have done a fresh Windows XP installation before, but if you haven't, what happens now is that the Windows XP installer will load the various drivers and system files in order for the installer to fully run. Initially it will ask you to press F6 if you need to install 3rd party hard disk drivers and F2 to run automated recovery. Ignore those and wait till you reach this screen:


3. Notice the second option: "To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R." Do what it says; press R.

4. You will be asked to press Enter if you want to use a custom keyboard layout. Either wait for the 5 seconds to expire, or press Esc to get this following screen:


5. Normally you should only see one installation as in the screenshot, which is usually at C:\WINDOWS. Press 1 as in the screenshot to select that installation.

6. There is an Administrator account built-in in Windows XP and is usually transparent to the end user unless he/she activates it and uses it. By default there is no password for the Administrator; just press Enter. If you are unable to log in without a password, you should ask who has set the password before, or call your laptop service personnel.

7. Now, type the following command, fixboot, as in the screenshot. This will fix your corrupted boot sector on your hard disk.


8. Type exit and your laptop will reboot. Remove the installation disk and your system should boot as normal.

9. If your system still does not boot, you might want to try fixmbr instead of fixboot at item 7. If you have multiple operating systems installed in your hard disk, you will need to reconfigure them to appear as a choice in the boot menu again. You should only do this if fixboot really doesn't work.


10. If these steps still do not work for you, or if the problem returns time and again, you might have a failing hard disk, or you have a virus in your computer that is corrupting your boot sector. Either scenario would justify sending your laptop for service, especially if you'd like to avoid all the possible headaches and possible voiding of warranty associated with fixing it manually.

thanks