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BSOD as Windows starts - Different code each time, can't reinstall/rep
I apologize for the length of my post, but I'm going to try to be as descriptive as possible. This is my first home-built machine, so I don't have the safety net of a tech support plan and am pretty baffled.
Background: I wasn't even using my computer when this problem started. I noticed the BSOD from across the room. I had installed Box.com's new syncing software earlier in the day. After installing it, Windows Explorer crashed a lot, so I ran a system restore to the point before I installed it. I also had some funniness where MSE asked to be validated again -- I think that was before I ran the system restore.
Current situation: When I boot up my computer, I'm given a choice to run something called Startup Repair or to try starting up normally. If I choose Startup Repair, Windows begins to load files, but I get a BSOD before it's finished. If I choose to start up normally, shortly after the Windows splash screen appears (but before the colorful animation begins), I get a BSOD that quickly disappears as the computer reboots automatically (I don't know how to stop this). This will happen repeatedly if I keep telling it to start normally.
BSOD code: I seem to get a different one each time. The most common one is 0x0000007E, but I also see 0x00000050, 0x00000019, 0x0000000A and others.
Things I've tried already:
- I removed one stick of memory, still got BSOD. Replaced it with the other stick of memory, got the same result.
- I tried using the Windows 7 CD to do a repair (or even reinstallation as I'm getting desperate), but I always get a BSOD while Windows is loading the necessary files (the part with that DOS-like status bar at the bottom).
- I can't seem to enter Safe Mode. I hit F8 at startup, and instead of the Safe Mode menu, I'm given a popup (I think it's from my ASUS motherboard) asking me which drive I want to boot from. No matter what I choose, I'm never given the choice to boot into Safe Mode.
- I unplugged the machine and held down the power button for 30 seconds (saw this suggested somewhere) until the light on my motherboard went out. Then I tried restarting it, but nothing was different. I'm still confronted with the Startup Repair choice again.
I'm at a loss. Under the circumstances, I don't know how to produce logs for you guys to look at. Even if I wanted to just give up and format/install fresh, I can't do that either. Things I'm reading seem to indicate this is a memory thing, but I don't have any spare DDR3s to test out. Could this be my motherboard? Is there any way to tell?
My system specs are in my profile.
Thanks in advance!!
Edit: Sorry, I didn't see those BSOD posting instructions until after I posted this. I'll go take a look at those now and amend this post when I'm done.
Edit #2: Ok nevermind. I can't even access Windows, so I don't think I can run the SF Diagnostic Tool at all.