0x0000006b BSOD STOP code Windows 7 will not boot.

Hi,

I'm having trouble diagnosing and fixing this Stop code on my PC.

PROCESS1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

0x0000006B (0xFFFFFFFFC0000020,0x0000000000000003, 0x000000000000000, 0x000000000000000)

I was running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit from an early 64GB Kingston SSD. This error has occurred once before, and I simply format c: and started again, however after running flawlessly for about a month on this new install, the STOP has appeared again.

I have ordered a new SSD which should be delivered soon, but I want to understand why and how this is being caused so that I can avoid it in the future.
I don't want to spend several days re-formatting and installing the O/S and all my programs and drivers every month.

I have installed Win7 onto an old Maxtor HDD (that often clicks and gets stuck) which allows me to temporarily browse the broken O/S install for files and data. This is only good for diagnostics and troubleshooting though, not a viable solution.

The STOP error occurred only during power up, after having previously shut down successfully.

The computer had never previously hung or crashed during operation to BSOD.

• Installing Windows 7 onto a separate HDD using the same machine works successfully. So I assume (please correct me if I'm wrong) it is not a hardware/cable/compatability issue.
• Safe mode will not boot - it crashes at the same stage as standard boot procedure, after BIOS/POST, after windows loading splash screen but before logon screen. I assume this means that the fault or corruption lies within one of the Windows essential drivers or services (not something I have installed recently).
• Windows automatic system repair returns no errors (everything is 0x0) and states "this computer cannot be repaired" etc.
• Deleting/replacing bootcat.cache does not help. I have tried removing the cache and the same STOP occurs. I've also replaced the cache from the recovery install of Win7 on the spare HDD, but still the STOP occurs.
• I've tried repairing MBR/bootsect/fixboot via command prompt in Win7 repair, but this does not help either.
• I have tried replacing/restoring various drivers and system executables from the recovery install to the broken install, including ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll but none of these have fixed the problem.
• I have performed memtest86+ via bootable USB and two passes showed zero errors.

Some problems that I've encountered with this machine in the past include:

• Onboard audio drivers causing windows to crash on boot (realtek audio), however I was still able to boot in safe mode and get around this by disabling, and then sourcing a different driver off the net.
• Windows 7 hibernation/sleep and power saving settings often caused trouble with my SSD/optical drive upon wake up. Sometimes the default setting of windows 7 would put my computer to sleep when I was away from the computer, and upon return, the optical drive would not power up again, so all I could access were the O/S and limited files on the SSD. I would then have to reboot to regain access to my media HDD.

This last time before the STOP code occurred, I was in windows and the sound suddenly stopped working on all sources (media player, youtube, windows).
I checked my hardware and everything was right. So I reboot, but still no sound.

I then tried to update the sound drivers and performed all windows updates, but still no sound. The device in control panel said "this device is working correctly", I was stumped so I let the updates run and reboot... then came the STOP code.

I thought this might be the audio driver again, but last time I was able to boot safe mode when this was the cause. Now safe mode does not boot either and the crash loop occurs.

I have tried diagnosing the minidump with BlueScreenView, however the date of the dump does not even closely match the date that my computer failed to boot. It mentioned the problematic files being ntoskrnl.exe and Hal.dll. I have tried replacing these with no luck. I will try uploading the minidump and other files when I get home tonight (I'm at work).

Please help me find the solution to this problem. I have tried asking on answers.microsoft, but no one seems to want to help the sophisticated problems.
It is easier for them to get their +1 popularity vote by answering the no-brainers (ie. "I unplugged my hard drive now my computer does not boot").