[SOLVED] BSOD - Computer crashing on startup even after factory settings restore

Syracuseball · Feb 23, 2013

Hi,

My Dell Inspiron N7110 keeps crashing on startup. I briefly see a blue screen and receive the error "Stop 0x0000007B". I tried to run startup repair but it says it could not fix the problem. Here are the details:

Problem Event Name: StartupRepairOffline
Problem Signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 02: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 03: unknown
Problem Signature 04: 21200571
Problem Signature 05: AutoFailover
Problem Signature 06: 5
Problem Signature 07: FailureDuringSetup
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

I believe it is most likely related to a virus but don't know how to go about fixing it. I tried restoring to factory settings using a recovery partition but the error persists. I do not have a windows 7 recover dvd. Any help or advice is appreciated, thanks.

jcgriff2 · Feb 23, 2013

Hi -

Bugcheck 0x7b = Windows cannot find the HDD OS partition.

The HDD may have failed or other HDD related problems exist.

If you have an HDD, run HDD diags - https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutorials/4072-hard-drive-hdd-diagnostics.html

If you have an SSD, please post back for further instructions.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

Syracuseball · Feb 23, 2013

SeaTools CD booted but says no hard drives found

jcgriff2 · Feb 24, 2013

This is a laptop, correct?

Syracuseball · Feb 24, 2013

Yes, can't boot to safe mode either

jcgriff2 · Feb 24, 2013

If the HDD is not found by SeaTools, the system won't boot without a DVD at all.

Safemode = Windows boot.

Any recent damage to the laptop?

Do you happen to have a spare 2.5" SATA HDD to swap with the current one?

jcgriff2 · Feb 24, 2013

I just re-read post #1.

You will more than likely need Dell OEM recovery discs & should contact them for replacement media -

https://www.sysnative.com/forums/windows-7-|-windows-vista/3716-oem-windows-replacement-media.html

It's interesting that Windows Recovery booted up, which is likely drive d:, yet SeaTools found no HDD at all.

No doubt that SeaTools booted OK --- just no drives/ partitions appeared?

GZ · Feb 24, 2013

Hello Syracuseball and welcome to Sysnative,

There is one explanation for why SeaTools does not show a HDD (even though it will boot to Windows)... That reason is it cannot detect the SATA drive, which is likely running in AHCI mode.

Check your BIOS settings (Press F2 on the Dell screen at startup) and look for SATA settings... There may be a setting in there to change your HDD from AHCI to "Compatability" or "IDE" mode.

Also, Most Dell PCs have a built in diagnostic suite. Linked are the instructions from Dell Support.

How to Run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics Utility | Dell

Syracuseball · Feb 24, 2013

SATA is set to AHCI. The only other option is ATA. I ran the diagnostics utility and everything passed, even the hard drive. Where should I go from here? I'm not concerned about saving anything. Just want to get it up and running again

Syracuseball · Feb 24, 2013

Also, no recent physical damage to the laptop. I think it's probably virus/malware related. I don't have an extra SATA drive either

GZ · Feb 24, 2013

Okay, in order to run the other diagnostic (SeaTools) you need to set the drive to ATA, it will then be recognized.

Of course, if you have a drive other than a Seagate, you will need to use that drive manufacturer's diagnostic tool.

The Dell diagnostic runs a basic S.M.A.R.T. test to determine the drive's health. I would recommend a full diagnostic using the utility provided by your HDD manufacturer.

Syracuseball · Feb 24, 2013

Ok, I set it to ATA and SeaTools recognized the drive so I started the long test on it. How can I find what HDD manufacturer I need to get the utility from?

GZ · Feb 24, 2013

SeaTools should give you the drives model number...

HT = Hitachi
ST= Seagate
WD = Western Digital

usasma · Feb 24, 2013

Just my 2¢:

1) Be sure to reset the SATA setting to AHCI when done. Leaving it in ATA will cause you all sorts of problems

2) If the hard drive passed the diagnostics and Startup Repair didn't find any problems - there are 2 things to try:

- scan the system for malware with the bootable rescue disks listed here: http://www.carrona.org/malware.html#rescue
The TDSS/Alueron rootkit will sometimes cause this (especially when atapi.sys is listed as the cause).

- Go to the command prompt in Startup Repair and try these commands:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd (be careful with this one as you can end up with extra entries in the boot menu - but we can fix those later on)

Syracuseball · Feb 24, 2013

Ok, drive is Western Digital. I'll go download their diagnostic utility now. The hard drive passed the SeaTools short test but froze during the long test. I just restarted that in the meantime so we'll see if it can get through it this time. I'll also go make a bootable rescue disk. Is there a specific one that I should be trying first? I just downloaded the bitdefender rescue cd. Also, I've tried the fixmbr and fixboot commands in command prompt previously, not rebuildbcd yet though. Thanks

usasma · Feb 24, 2013

The Short test only tests parts of the hard drive - so it's not a real reliable diagnostic. The Long test is the definitive test.
If it froze during the SeaTools long test, I'd suspect a problem with the hard drive.
Run the Western Digital diagnostics. I've had troubles running the bootable version tho' - so don't be surprised if the test won't start at all.
If possible (maybe in Safe Mode?) try to run the Windows version of the Western Digital diagnostics. (Don't forget to return the SATA setting in the BIOS to AHCI).

rebuildbcd isn't really necessary (IMO) unless you're getting a message that it can't find the OS. I include it for the sake of completeness.

Any of the bootable rescue disks should be OK. My primary concern here is with the rootkit I mentioned above - and it's been around for a while, so the all of the disks should be able to find it.

Syracuseball · Feb 25, 2013

Ok, pretty sure I made a big mistake. I couldn't get the WD diagnostics to run at all because I can't get into safe mode. So I ran a bunch of the bootable rescue disks. One of them detected 12 threats during a virus scan so I clicked to fix the problem and it deleted several of the files. I'm not sure which files were deleted and what affect it will have now that they are missing. When I try to boot up normally nothing has changed.

usasma · Feb 25, 2013

Try this again:

- Go to the command prompt in Startup Repair and try these commands:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd (be careful with this one as you can end up with extra entries in the boot menu - but we can fix those later on)

This depends if the rescue disks removed any infected drivers (such as atapi.sys).

Let us know what happens (and any error messages that you may receive).

Syracuseball · Mar 3, 2013

Ok, I tried all 3 and they all say operation completed successfully. However, the rebuild bcd also said "Total identified Windows installations: 0". What should I try next?

writhziden · Mar 3, 2013

Sounds like you may not have your Windows partition marked active. Take a look at the following tutorial:

Mark the Appropriate Partition Active in Windows Vista or Windows 7:

[SOLVED] BSOD - Computer crashing on startup even after factory settings restore

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