Major computer problems

[jenepherre]

Posting this from Dad's computer.

Can't boot up at all. Even in safe mode. I can get in to run a few tests by using various CD-Roms like the XP reinstall disk (which is also supposed to repair, but doesn't seem to be able to fix my problem) and my Norton SystemWorks disk (no viruses at least). In depth hard drive scans all show that the hard drive itself is fine. Surface scan of the hard disk itself came back fine. Appears to be a problem with the boot sector or something like that. Which I no nothing about. Did some research on Mom's computer yesterday - just left me more confused. Initially, I was trying to fix a problem with the LiveUpdate program that's part of Norton SystemWorks. Their tech support finally told me I had to uninstall, delete a bunch of files that they specified, and then reinstall. Never got to the reinstall part. Tried running System Restore to at least restore back to before I uninstalled SystemWorks, but then I got... yep, a Blue Screen of Death^TM. And not just any Blue Screen of Death^TM, but one that was obviously generated outside of Windows. Had a distinct DOS look to it, though it was (is) actually still blue.

Here's the actual, full text of the Blue Screen of Death^TM I get:

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 for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drives or controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.

Technical information:
*** STOP: 0x0000007B
(0xF7A30524, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

There are no viruses. I don't have any newly installed hard drives or controllers or anything like that. If there is such a thing as CHKDSK /F, my computer doesn't want to run it, but I was able to run CHKDSK /P. It said the only other variable for CHKDSK was /R for repair. Not sure what to try next.

Anyway, trying to get on either Mom's or Dad's computer once a day or so to check email, but that's about it.

One slightly more upbeat piece of news... we changed my VNS settings so they're back to a tolerable level - no more pain and trouble breathing. And... would have been nice to be aware of this before, but apparently I'm still receiving the same therapeutic level I was when I was having the pain and trouble breathing. ::sigh:: I still wonder if it's ever going to be worth all this trouble.

Comments

[irishcaelan.livejournal.com]

My brand new machine did that to me a couple of times. call your vendor.

[jenepherre.livejournal.com]

Yep. Doing that tomorrow.

[cori1950.livejournal.com]

One way to research these problems is to go to Microsoft knowledge base, then put the error code in the search field. I found some stuff that may be helpful:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316401/en-us

I am currently wiping out my computer and reinstalling everything (luckily I have my work laptop at home).

Cori

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

7b is generally a failure to load (or find) storage drivers. You're right, there's no dump file to analyze.

This is most commonly seen in setup when drivers for SATA RAID controllers are not inbox. I've no idea why you're seeing it now, unless something has indeed become corrupted. Sometimes poorly written (unsigned - interferring) drivers can cause this and sometimes uninstalling bad software can cause this.

*offers up neck massage & chocolate*

[viola69.livejournal.com]

All I've got since no computer expertise to offer. :-?

[bksbracelet.livejournal.com]

Computers aren't they just so much fun NOT!! Good to hear slightly better news on the VNS front keep trying cheers Chris

[jenepherre.livejournal.com]

Thanks Chris!

[qafaddiction.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the troubles, Jen. What do you mean by the same "therapeutic" level? That's not the same as the level of the VNS settings?

[jenepherre.livejournal.com]

I guess one analogy would be if you were taking a medication that came in both 25mg and 50mg strengths. Taking 2 of the 25mg gives you the same dose as 1 of the 50mg, but since you can take 25mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening, you might have fewer side effects. Same principle, but far less obvious.

So apparently a 0.25 milliAmp output current with a 500 u second pulse width is the same as a 0.5 milliAmp output current with a 250 u second pulse width. I didn't think the change in pulse width played that much of a role in the actual 'dose' you receive, but apparently it does. So nice to learn all these little details along the way.

[tracksintherain.livejournal.com]

I saw a medical program on VNS a couple of weeks ago. The man profiled took a little over six months to get his setting perfected. The profiler said he has been problem free for 18 months now. Hang in there I guess!

[jenepherre.livejournal.com]

Aaaah! You didn't happen to tape the show, did you? Prob. not. I wanted to see that, but I don't get Discovery Health Channel. And yeah, I know I need to be patient - that it could easily take that long or longer to work - but with the complications I've had... it's discouraging. Thanks for the info though!

[tracksintherain.livejournal.com]

I didn't tape it but it replays quite a bit. if I catch it again I will tape it for you.