Hi,

Big Trouble! I can only access the Bios menu. It started with being unable to access Windows (XP) safe mode (I run virus scans and such in safe mode from time to time.). And before I could look into it - the computer upon a restart would only access the Bios menu. I cannot get into the Windows Recovery Console or Windows anything! Please Help!

Thanks!

Schlackeye

I got a bit confused in this thread as to what the OP has tried.

They made mention of swapping the hard drive into a different computer. I'm not sure why that was done.

Let me just clarify that the STOP 0x0000007B is an "INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE" error. Which, in this particular case is absolutely normal. You can't plug a hard drive that has Windows XP loaded on it for one computer, into another computer and expect it work. The hardware abstraction layer has been designed for one specific computer's hardware and will not work when plugged into another computer. This error is almost always the result (other than bad sectors, which were eliminated) of SATA/IDE mode settings in the BIOS being changed.

Plug the hard drive back into the computer it is supposed to be in before you do any more damage to the installed operating system. Then, unplug all your USB devices from it including printers, flashdrives, Ipods, or external hard drives, and then see if the system boots. By any chance is this computer an HP?

I'm Back! Thank You for Your patience! I live in the wilds of Kentucky and have to come to the city for my internet access . . . . . Which, of course, means that I have to go back home every now and then . . . .

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Ztruker: "I have a question though. I rereading this thread, it looks like you cannot do anything with this drive in the original computer, correct? You have been messing with it while installed in a different computer. Was it installed as the only (master) drive in the 2nd computer or as a slave along with the existing drive?"

The "broken" hard drive does nothing in it's original computer (Dell Dimension E521). When I turn it on all I get is a black screen. Absolutely nada! So I put the "broken" hard drive in another computer (HP Pavillion a6010n) to see if it was a hardware failure. I removed the hard drive from the Pavillion and replaced it with the "broken" drive from the Dell - so the "broken" drive is now the only drive in the Pavillion. I was able to get into the BIOS and setup menu’s that way - but not into anything Windows (Safe Mode, Recovery Console, etc.). Why the “broken” drive works in one computer and not the other I have no idea!

I am concerned about the “broken” drive “infecting” the Pavillion – Is this possible????

I was able (using the Puppy Linux ISO CD) to rescue data from the “broken” drive. I have everything I want as far as personal files from the “broken” drive. But I am reluctant to reinstall Windows on the “broken” drive as I do not have all of my application installation files . . . . . . . Not to mention the time it would take to reinstall and reconfigure everything.

SO- The BIG question is can the “broken” drive be saved?

And if not – then I will probably need help on reinstalling Windows as I’ve never done it by myself before!

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appleoddity said:

“They made mention of swapping the hard drive into a different computer. I'm not sure why that was done.”

See above.

”Let me just clarify that the STOP 0x0000007B is an "INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE" error. Which, in this particular case is absolutely normal. You can't plug a hard drive that has Windows XP loaded on it for one computer, into another computer and expect it work. The hardware abstraction layer has been designed for one specific computer's hardware and will not work when plugged into another computer. This error is almost always the result (other than bad sectors, which were eliminated) of SATA/IDE mode settings in the BIOS being changed.”

Can the “broken” hard drive from the Dell (which was running Windows Media Center Edition) damage or alter the settings for the Pavillion (which runs Windows Vista)? That is something I definitely don’t want to happen!

"Plug the hard drive back into the computer it is supposed to be in before you do any more damage to the installed operating system."

When I put the “broken” hard drive back into the Dell it cannot be accessed at all including via Puppy Linux, EBCD, and UBCD4WIN ISO CD’s! Nothing, nada, blank and black!

Then, unplug all your USB devices from it including printers, flashdrives, Ipods, or external hard drives, and then see if the system boots. By any chance is this computer an HP?

And nothing is plugged into the Dell except the monitor, mouse, and keyboard! I’ve even tried to use a different monitor!

(The computer that the "broken" hard drive "works" in is a HP Pavillion a6010n)

Ztruker, Thank You again for your time and expertise!

Appleoddity, Thank You for Your time and interest!

I look forward to hearing from you both!

Shubert Schlackeye

shlackeye, to prevent re-reading through this thread, can you clarify what you mean by the screen stays blank?

Do you mean that when you press the power button, the power lights come on, but you see absolutely nothing on the screen?

This sounds like the case, which means it isn't a hard drive issue at all. Your system has some other hardware failure. You could try reseating the memory, the video card, etc.

This video might help.

appleoddity,

"Do you mean that when you press the power button, the power lights come on, but you see absolutely nothing on the screen?"

Yes, exactly. That is what happens.

I will watch the video and do what it instructs . . . . .

But- a couple of quick questions . . . . . .

If it is the video card or the memory or some other hardware failure then why does the drive not work when I put it into the HP Pavillion?

Specifically, why can't I get into Windows anything (in the Pavillion)?

Also- a little history. My brother also uses the computer but wouldn't and didn't go inside of it . . . . . But, he must have picked up some kind of virus or bug because just before the computer went out you could not go into Windows Safe Mode. I know this because I occasionally runs virus scans in Safe Mode. Also- the computer went out when I was hooking up an external web cam but the installation CD was only at the EULA stage when the screen went out. But because I couldn't enter Safe Mode (the week before I tried to install the web cam) I'm pretty sure there is some kind of virus involved.

BUT- I will watch the video and try reseating the hardware as soon as there is a break in the Olympics . . . . . I'm a big skating fan . . . . and I will get back as soon as I can with the results of that endeavor!

Thank You for your time and expertise!

Shubert Schlackeye

I have already answered your question in post #16.

You are having a hardware failure on your Dell and it is NOT related to your hard drive, any software that you installed, nor viruses.

Once you get the computer back up and running THEN you cam determine if there are further problems such as viruses. If reseating the RAM does not resolve your problem, I suggest that you take the computer to a qualified service center for a proper diagnosis.

appleoddity ! ! ! !

Sorry! I just got so anxious over the computer problem that I forgot the first rule of asking for help:

1) When instruction is offered after asking for help - Shutup and listen!

Although I couldn't find anything at all that looked like the video card in the video you sent me . . . . . I did reseat the RAM and then disconnected and reconnected anything that looked like I could safely disconnect/reconnect! Now the computer (the original Dell) turns on and boots up normally and appears to be fully functional ! ! ! ! !

Thank You!

However. When I try to boot up in safe mode I get a:

STOP: 0x0000007B (0xF789E524, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

So what do you want me to do next?

Thank You for your time and expertise!

Shubert Schlackeye

Now that your computer is booting again. You need to go over to our infections removal forum to have your computer cleaned up. That may very well fix your safe mode problem. Once you receive an all clean, you can come back here for further assistance if needed.

Will do! Thank You again for your help!