INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE Windows 2000 Inspiron 4100

Question

I have been getting the Stop: 0x00000007B INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error on a random basis. Various diagnostic tests found nothing wrong with the hardware, although they did earlier show that 39 system files were corrupted. Repairing Windows from the Windows 2000 CD only temporarily fixes the problem. The problem reappears a few months to a few days later. The problem seems to be getting progressively worse.   I found this thread regarding this error for the Dell Latitude, but I'm not sure if it applies to the Dell Inspiron 4100 laptop.   http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=latit_bios&message.id=13375&c=us&l=en&cs=19&s=dhs   ' INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE is almost invariably caused because Windows does not have an appropriate driver available for the hard disc controller in your machine. It performs the initial copy operation in DOS mode, but then it restarts and attempts to start up in full-on 32 bit mode, and without a driver it cannot find the boot disc--hence the error.   The solution is to find out what the hard disc controller in your PC actually is, download a driver for it, put it on a floppy, and then press F6 near the beginning of Win2K setup (when it asks you if you want to specify any additional hard disc controllers) and install the driver via floppy using the F6 key during the first boot detecting devices.   http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R27520&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=29412'   How do I find out which hardrive controller I need, or if this is the problem? Will I need to temporarily repair Windows again to make it bootable, in order to get this information? For a long time in Device Manager, I have noticed a yellow question mark for an 'unknown device.' I think this is the laptop's built-in fax modem, that I was never able to properly configure.   Fred

bacillus · Answer

the driver for your ide hard disc controller is already included in windows. can I ask if when installing the system, did you install the intel chipset driver?

bacillus · Answer

suitable chipset driver is linked below.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R29057&SystemID=INS_PNT_P3C_4100&os=WNT5&osl=en&deviceid=1134&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=1&formatcnt=1&libid=27&fileid=31626

full list of available drivers though you won't need them all

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/devices.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=INS_PNT_P3C_4100&os=WNT5&osl=EN

fappleyard · Answer

No, I never installed any Intel chipset driver. Will I need to download this from Intel.com? How do I find out which driver I need?   To be honest, this laptop originally came with Windows ME, but I installed Windows 2000 on it after the warrantee expired. I did a full install of Windows 2000, completely wiping out the previous OS.   Thank you, Fred Message Edited by fappleyard on 09-19-2006 04:47 PM

fappleyard · Answer

I successfully downloaded and installed the driver. The laptop is working now, but only time will tell if the error returns. It might not occur again for 6 months, or it could occur tomorrow.   Thanks, Fred

bacillus · Answer

let's hope it now fixed...

fappleyard · Answer

If the error returns, you'll be the first to know.   I have a theory that the Windows OS originally installed on Dell computers are propretory 'Dell' operating systems, specifically designed for Dell products. The Windows 2000 I installed was an off the store shelf version that might not be 100% compatible with Dell systems, so maybe the Intel chipset driver could fix the problem.   I have thought about installing Linux on it, but I might lose much of it's compatibility of Windows software applications, and I know almost nothing about Linux.   Fred

bacillus · Answer

win2k most likely did not support your motherboard chipset out of the box. Just thinking about it, xp had a slight problem as well but it was a minor one.

the chipset driver simply correctly identifies the hardware to the operating system.

fappleyard · Answer

I think my problem is fixed, but now the following message keeps popping up:

Windows Installer

The feature you are trying to use is on a
CD-ROM or other removable disk that is not
available.

Insert the 'Backup Dell-Installed Programs' disk and
click OK.

Use features from:
1

Fred

fappleyard · Answer

I tried the Windows Installer cleanup utility to remove 'Backup Dell-installed programs [2.01.0000]' to get rid of the popups   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301   but it cannot seem to remove it. The item is still listed after multiple removal attempts.   Fred

Locked Topics – Laptops General

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE Windows 2000 Inspiron 4100

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