BSOD on startup, after HP logo, goes way too quickly for #

Hi all,

I read through the BSOD posting guide, but realized I cannot create a dump file since I cannot get into win7 at all (I'm currently on my mac).
IF I'M IN THE WRONG PLACE, let me know ASAP so I can fix that and get this posted where it belongs!

Background: Computer was working fine up until about 3-4 days ago. I changed an audio driver to force sound through the headphones while playing resident evil 5. It worked, but may have caused my side effects. I also tried to update the bios in the HP support function in windows, but cannot confirm if that went through or not.

About 2 days, ago, my computer started an annoying random shutdown problem. It would restart, but I'd get an error saying improper shutdown, would you like to boot into...(safe mode, etc)

Then I started having boot issues as well. It would run through startup recovery and work, but then shut down randomly (never while playing RE5 or Half Life 2, only when idle). Now it's to the point where I can't even get into windows. I've received the following error code after startup recovery runs: root cause found: boot critical file e:\windows\system32\kdcom.dll is corrupt

I've tried system restore 2x (and startup recovery like 6x) but system restore points only went back 3 days (I found that odd)

As a side note, I've seen some virus activity recently. I believe system progressive protection was one of them and since then I've seen doubleeclick.net (2 e's).

I talked to HP support an hour ago and we decided my only option was a clean install. However, I'd like to get my files off the 2 HDs first.

My options are: say screw the files and get my computer back to normal or figure out a way to get them back (is it possible to hook my laptop HDs to a mac or another laptop just to transfer files (remember I can't get into windows)? Or could they get this for me if I send it in?

Comp specs:
HP dv7 notebook (I think dv7t 4100)
Product # WW185AV
Bios F.29 (insyde brand?)
Processor: Core i5 M460 2.53Ghz
Memory: 6144 not sure how many sticks
Hard drive and memory self tests all checked out fine.

Malware bytes TSSkiller (I think) and something else all checked out fine before this started.

I've performed no overclocking and no tweaks aside from the audio driver.

Any help would be much appreciated. I'm open to reinstall, but want to take the proper steps to get my data. I hear this is the place to be.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Matt

Hi Arc,

I do have an external (I think 500gb) , but it's formatted for my mac. I've had some success transferring, but other times it didnt want to work from a pc (About 50/50). maybe it depends on the utility used? I used the recovery manager already to burn 4 dvds of excel, word, etc files. They were saved as .wim files, so I can't test them on my mac. If I can get these files (After checking on another pc) I'm ok with a clean install.
I'd like to be able to get the videos, but I get an error saying something like not enough memory on drive for temporary storage. I assume it's using the boot drive as a temp in that case. (?) However, it looks like I'll need a boot dvd. I do not think my laptop came with anything.

Thoughts?

Arc,

I didn't make a boot disc from the recovery manager (it seems I need a cd/dvd to get there) I am unable to find a way to do that currently).

All I did, was backup excel files and pics.
I made two videos showing the problem using my webcam. Sorry about the quality.

Movie on 2012 10 06 at 15 54 - YouTube
Movie on 2012 10 06 at 16 01 - YouTube

I didn't make images of my HD's either. I just got the selected files as the video shows. Just excel, word, pics, etc.

I don't think I have a win7 or an hp boot disc around. I'll keep looking though. Thanks for the help so far.

Any thoughts on the .wim files? Can I just drag and drop once 7zip unzips them?

Matt

Thanks for the links. I'll follow those instructions with some questions here or there. I assume the clean install will wipe both hard drives correct? Or is it possible to get just one in a laptop? I assume since there was virus activity that we may want to wipe both clean.

I'll spend the day working on the backup, discs, and what not. My parents have a win 7 that I should be able to create discs from if the mac won't do it.

I'll get the win installer ISO just in case. You said "You may have a" (then a link) "using it". Could you please clarify?

The HP tech basically said to use that clean install from the HP menu. Shall I assume all the HP functionality will be there upon installation?

Ok. I think I have a boot record/recovery partition on one drive and the other drive should be untouched. I think my C: is programs and school stuff, while D: is extra/video/music and the boot partition E: which I think is on HD D:.

So, Do I need to rewrite that boot record on E: (which is on D:)?

I;m only asking since I had that boot file corrupted.

I don't want to wipe "the wrong one" if there's a possibility of saving information.

What about utilities like peppermint etc for recovery files?

Thanks again for the tons of help you've provided.

Matt