Windows XP Error???

[Cube]

For some reason I keep recieving this error message every time I start my pc:

Stop: 0x000007E (0xc0000005, 0xF754B39B, 0xF7CB9DF8, 0xF7CB9AF8)

system:
Windows XP Professional
2.8GHZ Intel Pentium 4
Sony DVD Burner + CD Burner (Dual Format Drive)
Sony DVD ROM Drive
HDD: Hitachi 160GM
Motherboard: ASUS P4P800 SE
Memory: 1024 MB Kingston DDR Memory
Video Card: nVidia GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256MB
Sound Card: Creative Labs SB Live!

Nobody can tell me what that error message means...hopefully somebody out there help me with this problem please.

[TripleRLtd]

Welcome to WD Cube:
Does this apply to your problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321637&Product=winxp

[Cube]

Unfortunately I have already visited that link many times and have only come to the conclusion that it is somehow related to some piece of hardware that I have installed. Some professionals that I have consulted seem to think that it is related to my graphics card somehow, but were not entirely sure if that was the cause of my trouble. Their only suggestion was to look for a patch from nVidia in order to solve the problem. I have not been able to locate any patches relating to my situation, just drivers. If indeed it is my graphics card, would installing the most up-to-date driver possibly help my situation? I am afraid to go ahead with anything until I know what could possibly be the problem. Any more suggestions or tips would be much appreciated.

[TripleRLtd]

Alright, it was worth a try. But this kb alluded to the Creative Sound, so try removing that: the software, shutdown, then the hardware. Also, if you would, the EXACT and complete error message will give a us a better idea. And, what exactly happens? Does it boot? Are you able to run windows? When does the error occur?

[GrandDad]

Doing a Google search on "Stop: 0x000007E" ,
I keep getting reference to harddrive problems (or possible write errors)
-----------------
your operating system files. This error takes the following form: STOP:
0x000007E: Inaccessible Boot Device.
--------------------------
STOP: 0x000007E: Inaccessible Boot Device, SCSI controller that fails to adhere
completely to the SCSI standard is installed in a Windows NT machine
-------------------------
STOP: 0x000007E: Inaccessible Boot Device This error appears when the hard disk
controller has difficulty determining which is the boot device—which might ...
---------------
or
Comment: OK I'm having problem installing all my CD/DVD drives, it
crashes my computer with STOP 0x000007E. It looks like drivers ...
--------------
May be another thing check and test .

[TripleRLtd]

Aye, which is why I asked the questions I asked pappy. Most "inaccessible boot device" errors are 0x000007B I had thought.

[Cube]

Alright, it was worth a try. But this kb alluded to the Creative Sound, so try removing that: the software, shutdown, then the hardware. Also, if you would, the EXACT and complete error message will give a us a better idea. And, what exactly happens? Does it boot? Are you able to run windows? When does the error occur?

I am able to boot the machine, and as it begins to launch Windows XP Pro (the start-up screen does appear briefly), it goes to the blue screen with the error message. After this occurs, I sometimes can run Windows, other times it am forced to restart the machine. However, there are times when Windows will launch with no problems, meaning I will not recieve the error message when I turn on pc. I did a test (sort of) and the error message showed up 5/6 times I started my pc. I will get exact error message ASAP.

[Cube]

Here is the complete error message:

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to be sure you have adequate disk space. If a driver is identified in the Stop message, disable the driver or check with the manufacturer for driver updates. Try changing video adapters.

Check with your hardware vendor for any BIOS updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use SafeM Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe mode.

Technical Information:
Stop: 0x0000007E (0x0000005, 0xF754B39B, 0xF7CB9DF8, 0xF7CB9AF8)

That is message that I am constantly recieving...presently, it is showing up every time I boot my computer (to find out when, read a few posts prior to this) and can only access Windows with Safe Mode. Any suggestions or thoughts would be very much appreciateed.

[NooNoo]

Frankly it could be as simple as the the ide cable on your hard drive is loose.

under administrative tools in control panel, you will find event viewer. Check all three and see what errors you have, post the details.

[Cube]

Thank you all who attempted to help me with my problem. Turns out I have a defective video card. Luckily, since I recently purchased the pc, they will be replacing the card free of charge. Thanks again, this is an excellent forum!

[NooNoo]

a pleasure, do post again :D

[Snakey]

So I have the same exact error (possibly exact, I did not write it down though but the 0x0000007E is the same) but that's during gameplay of certain games. I do have the wrong video card that I purchased so I'm receiving the correct video-card later this week... Hopefully that takes care of my issue.

At 2 instances, my computer re-booted and reset my BIOS to default settings... Already did all kinds of tests on RAM, CPU and HD's... All fine so I pray that this video-card is the one causing this...

[NooNoo]

Welcome to Windrivers Snakey.

Make sure you uninstall the old card in safe mode both through device manager and the software in add/remove programs, then shut down, remove the old card, put in the new card. Start up the computer and go straight in the bios and find and enable ESCD update or NVRAM update.

This will force the bios to re-evaluate the hardware you have in the machine. Save and reboot, then be ready to follow the installation instructions on the new card.

It is important that you do this, even if they use the same driver package, because the package installs certain things depending on the card it detects. You don't want bits of the old set up hanging around to mess up your new set up.

[Snakey]

Thanks!

I purchased an Alienware computer and I'm having that issue.. I only got that Blue Screen once actually, the other times the screen just freezes and like I mentioned above, 2 times my BIOS was reset..

I couldn't find any related setting to what you mentioned Noo. I have an ASUS P5N32-SLI Deluxe board. Maybe I'm just blind.

I'm moving all my important data to a backup drive and going to do a clean WinXP Pro install with the OEM disc they gave me... I haven't gotten the new card yet but when I do and I still get this problem.. I'll need to send the PC back..

[NooNoo]

Do you have the blue screen details?
Exactly which video card do you currently have and which card will you be getting?

As for the NvRAM/ESCD you are right, there doesn't seem to be one - but the menu does give you Load setup defaults - which should have the same effect.

You should check whether the allocate irq to pci vga is set to yes and whether plug and play o/s is set to yet (page 4-33) of the manual.

[Snakey]

Well, I actually found out there's a problem with this video card and the motherboard. I was running NTune from nVIDIA and I crashed a couple of times (which is expected..) but my BIOS settings got reset as well at one of the freezes.

It is a GeForce 7900GTX-Duo which wasn't really put into production due to the fact of its imense size and the amount of power it takes. Alienware just shipped the wrong card and they'll be sending the GeForce 7950 GX2 which is a shorter card and less of a power hogger.

The Blue Screen started off as 0x0000007E and then 4 more sets of those numbers in bewteen parentheses as in (here, here, here, here)

An IRQ is allocated to the PCI as well. When I get the new video card I hope the problem fixes itself.

[NooNoo]

ok let us know how it goes.... the 4 sets of numbers help to sort out what the problem is- it is worth posting those 0x7e has a number of causes... is there a file name mentioned?

[Snakey]

Actually not... I did not see a filename..

Funny how I just locked about 2 minutes into the game F.E.A.R. now and my BIOS got reset.. Had to re-set everything back! My 7950GX2 will be arriving on Tuesday... Hopefully I will then be able to play games in this "nuclear power plant" computer I have.. ;)

[NooNoo]

Let us know how it goes... and don't forget to uninstall the old video card in safe mode!

[Snakey]

I probably won't have to uninstall it. Since the 7900GTX-Duo never really came out, nVIDIA didn't make drivers for it. It's a "prototype" version of the 7950 GX2 so the drivers detect the card as a 7950 GX2. Drivers are the exact same ones so I'm just going to swap the cards out and re-set the BIOS to be on the safe side and reconfigure it all back. :)

[NooNoo]

OK, but for the sake of clicking uninstall... you could save yourself alot of hassle.

[Snakey]

So... Well, AW just like I predicted sent me the same, wrong card... Spoke to them and they're finally sending me the correct card. I should be getting it later this week, then we'll see! :)

[Snakey]

Ok so some updates! They sent me the correct card... But that wasn't the issue I was having.. Pretty frustrating.. So I called Alienware Tech Support and he ruled a bad PSU.. But before he'd send one in, he asked me to remove my X-Fi Soundcard and my Ageia PhysX card... and bam.. no lock ups on games, well I tested BF 2142. So I remember reading once that the ASUS board I have, P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe having some compabilitity issues with the X-Fi card... So I put the PhysX back in only and no lock ups again... Then I called the Techs again, he asked me to put the X-Fi back in one more time and see if it would happen... Funny thing that I didn't lock up again.. Well I tested for about 1 hour and it didn't happen. Only a couple of days will tell. Maybe re-sitting the card in the motherboard (same PCI slot by the way..) might have fixed it? Maybe it was incorrectly placed or might have gotten misplaced during shipping of the system... Well I'll post some more!

[NooNoo]

Good news indeed. Let's hope it was just not seated correctly and you have no more trouble.