0x0000007E error

Question

I turn on my computer. It runs fine. The Windows logo appears with the black background. Then the blue screen of death appears which reads:

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. It this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to be sure you have adequate disk space. If a driver is identiied in the Stop message, disable the driver or check with the manufacturer for driver updates. Try changing video adapters.

Check with your hardware vendor for any BIOS updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x0000007E (0xC0000005, 0x8050ED93, 0xF96DE508, 0xF96DE204)

The error message appeared after I updated my computer with SP3.

I have adequate disk space of 40%.

I tried using Safe Mode and all other modes but continue to get the blue screen error message. I cannot get past the blue screen onto the home area.

I don't have a Windows XP Install CD.

kirkd · Answer

XP seems to have lots of problems going to SP3. I lost my XP because of the upgrade. Lots of possible reasons. See HERE

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

for an example. Google the web for the error and sp3 for many more hits. 7E is a common error, appearing for lots of reasons.

gator6x4 · Answer

If your computer is equipped with an AMD Processor review this Microsoft Document,  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953356. How to correct the error message is included in the document. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY before editing the registry.

Cruciverbalist · Answer

I have an Intel processor.

I have looked around the internet looking for answer yet there are no topics on my specific problem and of the ones similar to mine none of them tell how to get past the blue screen.

Yottabyte · Answer

For non AMD it's usually due to USB devices which are plugged in. Remove all USB devices and Windows will load. However, this does not solve the problem as the blue screen will pop up again the moment you plug in your USB device, be it printer, mouse or external hard drive.

To repair this theres 2 ways. Manually uninstalling all the USB drivers and then let windows update them

or a faster way...

Run Regedit and go to and remove all SUBKEYS (not HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\HID)

at these 2 locations

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\HID\

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB\

Reboot and update

Google "BSOD after SP3 update USB" for details

Yottabyte · Answer

What model is your computer?

Cruciverbalist · Answer

Dell OptiPlex GX150, BIOS Revision A06

Cruciverbalist · Answer

I tried that and still get the same blue screen error message.

Yottabyte · Answer

Have you tried unplugging everything? Often the keyboard and mouse are overlooked. Try to boot with only the monitor connected to your computer.

If this doesn't fix it. Chances are you had your virus/security software running when you did the update.

This was described as the proper way to upgrade to sp3 and avoid the errors.

Before installing the XP-SP3, perform these steps FIRST:

1: Use the Windows® Disk Clean up Tool. (Click the coloured Link.)

2: Perform a Disk Defragment....Reboot the computer.

3: Manually create a "System Restore Point"; call it, say, Before SP3

4: Download the standalone version of SP3 from Microsoft®. SP3 Standalone Version ..."Save" it to the computer rather than using the 'Open' or 'Run' options.

5: Once downloaded, Right click the icon > ”Unblock”.

6: Disconnect from the Internet; (pull the power from the modem/router); disable any Firewalls; pop-up blockers, and Anti Virus and Spyware programs (especially Spyware Terminator™ and Norton® or McAfee®).

7: Start the installation and follow the prompts....When finished, reconnect to the Internet first; reboot the computer.

Important Note: While the SP3 is installing, do not attempt to do any other tasks on the computer until it has finished, this will ensure a ‘clean’ upgrade.

Cruciverbalist · Answer

I have no USB devices plugged into the computer.

Yottabyte · Answer

I can't find specific info on your bios atm but it could be that your BIOS not fully ACPI compliant.

Have you tried to Change Harddisk Mode> from Ahci to compaitable or Sata to IDE?

Have you went into your bios and found something like enable SATA performance, and disabled it? <-- This has been documented to fix it also.

Have you tried turning off all the Power management type options in your BIOS?

Also look for Legacy USB Devices in your Bios and disable them and then try to boot.

Also what is the name of the SP3 Upgrade file your using?

Cruciverbalist · Answer

Those didn't work, unfortunately.

hrova · Answer

Hi,

How did you update to SP3? Was it from Windows Update site?

Or, did you do Windows Updates on the computer after finishing the SP3 install?

If either of those is true, there was a recent Windows Update that caused the 0xoooooo7E error.

Read this post from another thread for details and how to fix (remove the offending update)....

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19321239/19655425.aspx#19655425

Cruciverbalist · Answer

When I turned off my computer the update occured.

Yottabyte · Answer

I hope you didn't pickup the alureon. It's a nasty beast to remove and you mentioned you don't have your disks which makes it even more complicated.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Threat/Encyclopedia/Entry.aspx?Name=Win32%2FAlureon

I wish I had more ideas but I've exhausted everything I could think of and now leaning to something malware related. I don't think its hardware since your computer worked fine prior to the update.

Let's hope hrova's on the money with the KB977165 being the cause.

Yottabyte · Answer

When I turned off my computer the update occured.

Windows will download updates then either install them in the background or when you shut down the system. It probally downloaded the updates and applied them at shutdown so chances are it's related to that update.

Windows General

0x0000007E error

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