PC turning off and cannot format

[sefrzan]

So I've been running windows 7 (build 7000) for a few months and for some odd reason now my pc either restarts or shuts its self down after a random amount of time.

I was getting tired of windows 7 anyways and decided to move back to xp. I tried to format my pc by running from a boot cd but I got a blue screen every time I tried to format (it stopped even before I could select to delete partitions and such). So I'm back to using this Windows 7, with its random restarts/shut downs.

I'm running a DELL pc (T3400) with 4 gigs of ram, E6750 intel cpu, 1.5TB of HDD, 9800 GT graphics card.

I feel that this might be hardware related as I'm not aware if a software (virus) could stop me from formatting. I'm running Avast by the way as an anti-virus program.

Any help is appreciated!

[sefrzan]

Some more information:

When I'm trying to format, the computer starts recognizing the XP disk. It then loads the files it needs. However when it says "Windows starting" to allow me to go into the area where I could delete/make partitions, I get a blue screen with a standard message. I also get the following technical information:

STOP: 0x0000007B(0xF8D2524, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

The automatic shutting off/restarting (and sometimes it just shuts down without a restart) coupled with this inability to format makes me think that there is either a problem with the PSU or with one of the RAM modules. Which do you guys think it is? or you guys think it could be a virus?

[zep516]

Hi,

sefrzan Here is some additional information if you have not seen it already let us know see link below please,

Advanced troubleshooting for "Stop 0x0000007B" errors in Windows XP

[sefrzan]

So I took a look at the site and I'm not really sure what to do next. I've performed a virus scan using Avast 4.8 and it did not find any viruses.

Do you believe the 2 issues (computer shut down and not being able to install XP) related? I only receive the blue screen when I'm attempting to install XP not when using Windows 7 (it just shuts down without a warning). There was a section on the site referring to the error occurring at install time but I got confused as to the directions.

As you can tell I'm a bit confused as to what step I should take next, please let me know your thoughts.

[sefrzan]

Update:

Today I examined my RAM to see if it could be the problem. I removed each module one by one and tried to format after the removal of each one (replacing the previous one before the removal of the next module) but the problem still persists so I don't think that the RAM is the problem.

I also don't think that the PSU is the problem since I get a definite error (BSD) when trying to format and not just a shutdown (that only happens during the operation of Windows 7).

Now I'm thinking that the problem must be with one of the HDDs or somehow a virus is infecting them. Any help is appreciated!

[sefrzan]

Problem solved:

So I was able to format my pc once again, here is what I did:

Apparently XP cannot be installed if the SATA configuration is on AHCI so I had to change this to IDE/ATA. Here are the steps to take in the BIOS:

Under Drives locate SATA Operation, then change it from "RAID Autodetection/AHCI" to "RAID Autodetection/ATA" and that's about it. The other problem with the pc turning off/restarting was also fixed but I believe that had something to do with Windows 7 which is now fixed now that I'm using XP.

Of course these settings are from a DELL Mobo and BIOS, so if your BIOS is different then the settings may be listed under other names and as I've researched some mobos don't even give you the option to change from AHCI to ATA. In those cases you may have to use a floppy to install the appropriate drivers when installing XP (i.e. by pressing F6) or by using an IDE cable and another HDD (please do a search on the 2 later methods).

I hope this helps someone in the future!

[zia]

Originally Posted by sefrzan

Some more information:

When I'm trying to format, the computer starts recognizing the XP disk. It then loads the files it needs. However when it says "Windows starting" to allow me to go into the area where I could delete/make partitions, I get a blue screen with a standard message. I also get the following technical information:

STOP: 0x0000007B(0xF8D2524, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

The automatic shutting off/restarting (and sometimes it just shuts down without a restart) coupled with this inability to format makes me think that there is either a problem with the PSU or with one of the RAM modules. Which do you guys think it is? or you guys think it could be a virus?

[zia]

I have a problem of "DAX access violation at adress 08424486 in module mr.viewer.ocx"