Hi Don,

I think you are looking at the wrong thing. The stop code 7B means
"inaccessible boot device". What this means is that Windows gets its initial
boot loader (which is done via BIOS int13 calls), but then when it tries to
access what it thinks is the disk device on its own (not through the BIOS),
it can't find it. This usually means that it does not have a driver
installed that can access the disk controller. Most systems have a mode you
can set in the CMOS to select any advanced modes for the disk controller.
Anything but the basic settings may require a driver in Windows. One setting
in the CMOS to look for is AHCI, if this is set, the basic Windows install
won't work. Likewise if it has the option to turn RAID on, once RAID is
turned on (if supported), Windows needs a driver before it will install.

So my suggestion is to go into the CMOS settings and check for any IDE
modes, you might try resetting back to the factory defaults.

Russ Poffenberger
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-----Original Message-----
From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Don Penlington
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 9:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Stop Error 7B


Richard wrote:
>ZAP the MBR.  (Track ZERO, etc.)>>


Hi Richard

Thx for your help.

If I've done a full reformat, would that not delete the MBR?

I have a Paragon Rescue CD which purports to "fix" the MBR. I've just tried 
that, but no difference.

Just to add to what I've already written, I've tried booting from an IDE 
hard drive with XP installed (off another computer). That brings up the 
boot options. When I select Safe Mode, the drivers load as far as the usual 
Mup.sys and then the computer just reboots itself.

All fans are working, so it doesn't seem to be an overheating problem.

There are no POST beeps so I assume memory is OK.

Peter wrote :
<<have you tried switching SATA channels
for the hard drive?>>

Tried that, made no difference. Also tried another cable and power plug. 
The CDROM is Sata. It's working. Does that tell us that the Sata Controller 
on the mobo is OK? Or are there different controllers for the hard drive?

What next?

Don Penlington

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