Two blue screen crashes

[High1]

Hello

Over the last two weeks, I have had two Blue Screens of Death. The first time, I was able to recover the O/S and log on to Windows 7 using Packard Bell recovery disks although I lost most of my files and programs.

The same thing has happened today and I went through the same recovery process, except I received the following message: 'Windows set-up could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware'. Does that mean that my hard drive (SATA 500Gb) is corrupt and needs replacing?

Many thanks

[SuperDave]

You could try running a diagnostic on the drive.

Run hard drive diagnostics: tacktech.com
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: imgburn to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.
For Toshiba hard drives, see here:

Note : If you do not know how to set your computer to boot from CD follow the steps here

[High1]

Hello Dave

Thanks for your message.

I did that earlier today. I think the program itself is called Sea Tools (Seagate hard drive). I did two tests, a basic one, which it passed, and two advanced tests which it failed.

Does that mean that the hard drive is corrupt? If so, and I need to replace it, can I retrieve Windows using the Recovery disks I burnt through the Recovery part of the PC itself a while ago, or would I need a new Windows installation CD which I would also need to buy?

Thanks!

[SuperDave]

Does that mean that the hard drive is corrupt? If so, and I need to replace it, can I retrieve Windows using the Recovery disks I burnt through the Recovery part of the PC itself a while ago, or would I need a new Windows installation CD which I would also need to buy?

It could mean that it's failing. I'm not sure whether the Recovery disks can be used on a new drive. Le'ts run another test to see what's causing the BSOD's.

We Need to Diagnose Your BlueScreen
1.When you boot your machine, press F8 to list the startup options, exactly as you would if you were trying to enter Safe Mode
2.Select "Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure", as shown here:


 
3.When your system BSODs, write down the STOP error code, as well as any written out error message back here. The STOP error will always appear, but the message may not. You are looking for this:

[High1]

Hello Dave

Thanks for your message.

I don't get as far as the Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc screen. If I turn the PC on and allow it to run, it just says 'missing operating system'. If I press the DEL key (set up) it shows me a list of items - CMOS, product details, etc). If I ESC from that screen I again get the message 'missing operating system'. So I restart and press F12 which takes me to a 'Please select boot device screen'.

So, I feel as if I can't really go any further.

High1

[SuperDave]

Download the OTLPE Standard REATOGO Windows Recovery Environment.

• Place a blank CD-R disc in to your CD burning drive.
• Download OTLPEStd.exe and double-click on it to burn to a CD using an ISO Burner. One can be found here.
  
• Reboot your system using the boot CD you just created.
• Note : If you do not know how to set your computer to boot from CD follow the steps here
  
• Your system should now display a REATOGO-X-PE desktop.

[High1]

Hello Dave

I have done that - thanks for your help.

Yes, I can see Raetogo loading WinXP

[High1]

I can see the logo now - set of penknives, and a kind of desktop with various icons (disk partitioner, etc)

[SuperDave]

Yes, it has lots of helpful tools and I think there's one to analyze your hard drive. You can also access and save your important material.

[High1]

I'll try Disk Investigator and Test Disk and post back

[High1]

TestDisk cannot read the FAT boot sector - 'Invalid FAT boot sector'. I know Windows uses both FAT and NTFS.

The other tools are wonderful if you are a mathematician - numerous tables of figures!

[High1]

I don't think Reatogo can see the drive. There is a tool called MBRFix - it's like a MS-DOS/Cmd Prompt screen. The cursor is on drive X. I have changed it to drive C (my drive) and it says: The device is not ready. My drive is divided into C and D (data), and it gives the same message when I try to change the directory to D.

So, I think a new drive is required.

Speak a little later

[SuperDave]

The MBR tool is when the Master boot record is missing or corrupted. You should be able to look in your C drive.

[High1]

The MBR tool looks like Command Prompt. In the tool itself, the default drive is X, but when I changed it to C it gave me that 'device is not ready' message which, I think, means that the MBR tool is unable to 'see' the C drive. I am taking it that that is because the drive is corrupted.

[SuperDave]

Ok. I had to boot my computer with the OTL disk so I could give you proper instructions. First, click on My Computer and see if you can click on the C drive. You should be able to see the programs on that drive.