Need Advice from Experienced XP Users

I have had my fill of Windows 98 problems, bugs and instabilities. I switched to Windows 2000 because it is more stable. However, there is one problem with Windows 2000 that has proven to be fatal when it does pop up and has prevented my relying on it. Consequently, I have always kept Windows 98 in a dual-boot configuration.

I swap main boards and hard disks much more than the average person and, as a result, I have run into Stop Error messages reporting an INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE (07B). It is easier to format the Windows 2000 partition and reload the entire OS and all applications than to troubleshoot this problem.

Does anyone know if this problem has been solved in XP?

 

Troubleshooting that error message is done the same with XP, but it's not just common to Win2k. This is an NT problem, and it's caused by an unrecognized hard drive, or missing boot files, (such as drivers to your SCSI / IDE controller).

 

I doubt it, Alex.

I see this problem occur quite often in my network of computers. You're right, it is easier to format the partition rather than troubleshoot it.

 

Thanks for the replies. I hoped against the odds that this problem had been fixed in XP. This is a very serious problem when it does happen and Microsoft is long on explaining how and why it happens and even has a little on how to prevent it; however, I have never seen any solution they offer that will work to fix it after it happens (which also makes me doubt their suggestions as to why it happens or how to prevent it).

As concerns me, this negates any advances in Windows NT, 2000 or XP stability. It amazes me that while Microsoft has touted their advances in the NT-2K-XP area, none of these OSs are as good as DOS 6, Windows 95 First Edition, Windows 95 Second Edition, or either edition of Windows 98 at simply recognizing and booting an active partition.

I already have 2000. I see no need to pay tribute to Bill for XP just to have XP deal me the same torment I already have.

When they fix this problem, I'll buy XP.

 

Hi,

I had this problem several times and after 2 or 3 re-installations, I visited my motherboard's site (MSI) and download the BIOS update that fixes the issue with Windows XP. Works fine.

Suggest open your machine, check the MB manufacturer and version. Then boot and note the BIOS version and date (usually the first boot screen, bottom, left of the screen) and download the BIOS upgrade, if any for you machine.

Good luck,

Artur

 

0x0000007B: INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
(Click to consult the online Win XP Resource Kit article, or see Windows 2000 Professional Resource Kit, p. 1555.)
Win XP lost access to the system partition or boot volume during the startup process. Typical causes: Installing incorrect device drivers when installing or upgrading storage adapter hardware, or a virus.
Stop 0x7B or "0x4,0,0,0" Error {Q122926} Win NT, Win XP (on restart)
During setup on mirrored volume {Q235287} Win 2000 Pro, Win XP
After relocating boot disk {Q271965} Win 2000 Pro, Win XP
During setup (Sysprep issue) {Q303786} Win XP
Using Sysprep {Q257813} Win 2000 Pro, Win XP
When You Press F6 to Load Drivers During Unattended Win XP Setup {Q307099} Win XP

Or better yet go to http://aumha.org/kbestopz.htm

 

Thanks for the suggestions; but, they are all old hat for me. I have tried them all and many times. None of them worked for me.

I did have a situation once where I swapped an 80-conductor cable for a 40-conductor and it then booted. Windows 98 worked with either. 2000 worked only with the 40. Strange.

 

Alex - if this sort of thing happens to you very often, may I strongly suggest you keep a current ghost load of the drive. Then, if it does blow up, you can just put the ghost back over the drive rather than doing a bunch of installs from scratch as you said you are doing now.

That way the problem will be annoying but fairly trivial.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Newt; but, I have already tried that, except with Drive Image Pro, PowerQuest's direct competition to Ghost. If you image a drive that Windows 2000 cannot see, when you restore the image, you are returning all the reason(s) that Windows 2000 cannot see it along with the restored image. So, the result after the restore is the same as before.

I did try Ghost first; but, Ghost had some weaknesses for which I returned the product.

Anyway, going back to the inquiry in my first post, it was whether XP had solved this problem. It seems nothing has changed in XP concerning this. The reason for asking was to determine whether I should spend any money on Windows XP. I would get XP just to solve this problem, if it would; however, it seems it will not so I will just keep my money.

It would be nice to have a solution that worked; but, I haven't found one.

 

Don't forget the WinXp activation.

Hey Alex, another reason to stay away from XP with your circumstances - you'd probably be constantly having to call MS for new Activation Keys.

 

I already had that one figured; but, it would be worth it just to solve the problem mention in the original post. But, all of that is moot now.