Dimension 3100 doesn't boot

Question

Hi_all:

I have got tortured by my desktop for few days.Things like this:

Some days ago, my Dimension 3100 was infected by some spyware, and I always have popup when I tried to open the browser. I scanned the whole system and locate the spyware, then I deleted in registration list(by running regedit, and delete them manually). Then I reboot the machine, the popup is still there. Then I tried to go to Safe mode to remove them. Then the computer died.

There is then a message showing:

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. If this is the first time you have seen this stop error screen, restart your computer.

Then I tried to reboot the computer, it still doesn't work

I tried safe mode, and latest known good configuration (like this)

or normal mode

None of these help.

and I still get information:

If this screen appears again: follow these steps:

check for viruses on your computer.(how?)
Remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drive 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(0XF8890524, 0XC0000034, OX 00000000,0X00000000)

Anybody can help me with this issue?

Thank you

Really appreciate

steele_ · Answer

Hi!The stop code 0x0000007B refers to hard drive problems, and generally appears when Windows can't read all it's system files for some reason.There are several possible causes for this, but as you were messing around with the system files prior to the crash, it's quite likely you broke something. ;) First of all, I would recomend you to run a hard drive diagnostic on the system. This is done by pressing F12 at the Dell splash screen at boot. If the hard drive passes the diagnostics, then I'd put the hard drive in another system and pull out any vital data, put it back, and then reinstall Windows. You can do a repair install if you wish , but personally, I prefer to wipe the system clean as this is somewhat faster.If the diagnostics fail, then I'd put the hard drive in another system and pull out any vital data, and then contact Dell's support (I assume you have some warranty left on the system.

shesagordie · Answer

fhe

Boot the Dell Drivers & Utilities CD and run the extended test on both the memory and hard drive.

If the hard drive and memory pass, then run CHKDSK /F from the Recovery Console or you could use the Dell's PC Restore by Symantec Utility.

Note,using the restore feature, will remove all the your data from the hard drive.

Bev.

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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

steele_ · Answer

shesagordie, Why run the 32-bit diags first? ;)

shesagordie · Answer

steele_In case the Dell diagnostics on the hard drive cannot be booted into, to make certain the hard drive is not failing/failed, before using the recovery console,etc.    :smileysurprised: Bev.       ===================================================Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered. Message Edited by shesagordie on 05-15-2007 01:38 PM

fhe · Answer

Hi Guys!   Thank all of you for your valuable suggestions! I will try to diagnose the hard drive, and backup data from it. I will restore the system.Anyway I will let you know the progress.   Thank you again

steele_ · Answer

shesagordie,   Actually, there is a built-in HD diagnostic in the motherboard firmware. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+D (not Del) at the splash screen, or selecting 'Hard drive diagnostics' in the boot menu will activate it. This feature has nothing to do with the diagnostics on the utility partition, and will work even if the hard drive is completely unreadable.

Fox_ · Answer

Sorry steele, your suggestion did not work on my 3100 system but Bev`s did, so the the statement 'will even work' is not always true, but thanks for the effort. Fox

fhe · Answer

Hi Guys:   I have recovered my hard drive and backed up the important data already. And I will do the Dell's PC Restore by Symantec Utility, hope everything goes fine   Thank you

shesagordie · Answer

@steele_ wrote:

shesagordie,

Actually, there is a built-in HD diagnostic in the motherboard firmware. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+D (not Del) at the splash screen, or selecting "Hard drive diagnostics" in the boot menu will activate it.

This feature has nothing to do with the diagnostics on the utility partition, and will work even if the hard drive is completely unreadable.

Dell diagnostics are on a small FAT [35/50mb] factory installed, EISA partition on the hard drive, not in the BIOS.

Maybe, you are thinking of S.M.A.R.T [Self-Monitoring Analysis and Report Technology], that is supported by most motherboards.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

shesagordie · Answer

fhe

Good Luck and please give us the feedback on the results.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

fhe · Answer

Hi   I have restored the system. Now the pc looks like a new one! and I have reset everything. The whole process is like this:   After I have backed up all the information in the hard drive, I tried the Symantec restore, that is when Dell logo appears, I press and hold Ctrl button and hit F11, then release them together, but it doesn't work. I tried a few times.It just doesn't response and go directly to ask me to press F1 to continue or F2 to set up. I have to called the tech support. Then there is a really nice guy to help me out.   First, do the hard drive diagnositic by press F12 when Dell logo appear, but I can't find hard drive diagnositic option at all! I tried to use the up and down arrow, when none of the selection is highlighted, I press enter, then comes hard drive diagnostic. I finally realized hard drive diagnostic is out of the screen. anyway, hard drive diagnostic is passed.Then I go further.   Second, go back to set up by reboot the computer and press F2, highlight the drives, and select DRIVE 0, press enter, and select OFF, the facotry default is Internal. then ESC, save and exit   Now the system could be restored. I use the Symantec restore function and wiped my pc.    This is the whole story, hope I didn't miss something.   And thanks to everbody here to help me out!!!!

shesagordie · Answer

fhe

Pleased to hear that the problem has been resolved.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

steele_ · Answer

Nope. there is a built-in hard drive diagnostic, on most Dell desktops.

It's not as reliable as the 32-bit diagnostics, but it saves me a lot of time in my work.

I don't know why the option wasn't visible for fhe, might be a bug. It can also be activated by pressing Ctrl+Alt+D at the Dell splash screen (timing is important). It does not work on laptops, as the PSA has it's own hard drive test.

Message Edited by steele_ on 05-18-2007 06:55 AM

fhe · Answer

Thank you, all of guys here.

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Dimension 3100 doesn't boot

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