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Question

Computer boot error

Mar 7, 2018 12:09AM PST

An unusual error, I think I have narrowed it down to a faulty motherboard.

I bought a second-hand computer off a sorta-friend, his son is disabled and wanted to fix it, but couldn't, and now his son's in jail after deciding to argue and throw things at a cop. Again. But anyway, long story short the computer's not stolen but probably kinda dodgy.

So, I don't know what the motherboard is, the CPU is an i5-750. Kinda old, but powerful enough to be an OK research/word processor. The computer basically fails to boot; it will get to the point where the Windows logo flickers on and starts to animate for 0.25-0.5 seconds, and then restarts. The HDD it came with had Win7, I've tried 2 HDDs with XP already on and tried putting a fresh copy of XP on via CD. At first I thought, faulty OS or hard drive, so replaced it. It won't work with any of them. The blue screen of death only renders for a few frames most of the time, from what I can tell the error is "0x0000007b", but it goes by so fast I can't remember or write down the other numbers. Online resources indicated memory issue.

Then I thought, RAM fault, I ran memtest, the RAM's OK. Then I thought, graphics card, removed it, it wouldn't even boot on integral video, maybe doesn't have it? Hmm. Then I thought, wiring problem, replaced all data connector cables, the problem persists. So, I tried different SATA slots in case one of them was loose, the thing still won't go. I fiddled with the BIOS settings, in the end I just reset them as they were very obtuse and there weren't any potentially relevant options.

When I try to install a fresh copy of XP, the utility runs fine, unpacks all the files, until you get to that point where it says "starting windows" down the bottom. The HDD's still clicking away, then suddenly you get blue screen of death, "0x0000007b" plus some jargon that's useless since it's not there long enough to read and jot down.

The only thing I can think is the motherboard is damaged, or the BIOS is infected with a virus.

Prognosis fellow tinkerers and putterers? All thoughts welcome, either way thanks for reading.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Thoughts
Mar 7, 2018 12:35AM PST

The I5-750 does not have an igp so you will need some kind of video card.

Connect the hdd to sata port 0.

Grab a copy of linux live dvd and boot it up.....no need to install.

If that boots browse around on the hdd.

Not a recco but I keep an old copy of zorin on a dvd just for when things get nutty.

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Response, request for clarification
Mar 7, 2018 2:35AM PST

So you think the HDD's are all at fault, or the OSes were all bad?? The original, my go-to backup and one I scavenged out of another project machine?? I mean no offense nor any negative feeling, I'm just curious as to the point of "browsing around on the HDD".

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No
Mar 7, 2018 3:26AM PST

At this point you don't know what is wrong so you start narrowing it down.

That's where linux comes in.

It gets the windows OS out of the mix.

You might also find the linux dvd has some built in diags.

You can give those a shot just to see what they say.

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I'm with Bob__B on this
Mar 7, 2018 8:21AM PST

You begin by ruling things out and running a live Linux CD is a great tool. I'll also tell you that installing XP on PC these days is a trick. You can't use the SATA feature in the BIOS unless you pre-install the proper drivers and you need a floppy drive to do this. I've seen the problem you're describing and found it to usually be hardware related. You can have bad RAM (run Memtest for a long time or use just one stick), you can have a bad sector on a hard drive, your XP CD can be faulty (especially if it's a burned copy) or your CD ROM drive may not be reading properly. What I've generally seen is that the failure occurs at the same point with every installation attempt. Bad RAM, install media or hard drive are the usual suspects. Running a Linux live CD will be a help in ruling out the MB, CPU, RAM, etc. BTW, your processor sounds like an old Lynnfield. During installation, CPUs can run hot. You might want to consider replacing the heat sink compound at some point. Good luck with your project.

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Answer
About 7b and XP
Mar 7, 2018 8:27AM PST

So well discussed that I won't write at length.

This was typical for SATA based HDDs. To install XP on SATA takes a little (or lot for folk that never heard of this.)

You could avoid all that on a current version or Linux.