STOP: 0x7B

[olliej]

Hi all, please bear with me as i am not particularly technical!

I was running a virus scan on my computer and it came up with a few viruses, removed them and told me to reboot. Upon rebooting, my computer now flashes up with this message for half a second and then goes to a screen asking to:
launch startup repair (recommended)
start windows normally

I have run the start up repair to no avail a few times.
Then, I clicked the "view advanced options for system recovery and support", typed in my username and password and tried a system restore from a couple of days ago.
The error message still comes up.
I am not able to to a system image recovery as i didn't have one saved (oops?!)

I have found a few solutions on the internet but I find myself unable to follow them after the first couple of steps!

I tried booting up from the windows 7 disk provided:
I have a windows 7 home premium 64-bit disk which was sent with the laptop.
it says only to use the dvd to reinstall the operating system on a dell pc.
I came to a screen that implied that all information would be lost if i continued.

I really am lost as to what to do! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[theog]

The Dell DVD is Restore disk. You need the Startup Repair CD.
I would Check your computer for virus or malware first.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html?ltr=M

Boot up using the Startup disk CD or Windows 7 DVD. (not the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk) If you have a Netbook, you will need a CD/DVD drive.
Make sure no USB drives are plugged.

Do a Strartup Repair:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

Your Windows installation must show at this screen.

View attachment 163421 View attachment 163422

If not showing after 3 runs, check out the list below.
1) Run Startup Repair once,(drive may be marked inactive) this will mark the drive ACTIVE.

2) Your HD is plugged in to the first Sata port on the MOBO, & first HD boot in BIOS.

3) Make sure your HD is show in BIOS.

4) Check all cables for a good fit.

5) Check to see your HD is listed in dartpart.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119713-diskpart-pc-startup.html?ltr=D
type list disk.

View attachment 163423


6) Load the Sata Controller Drivers:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/68942-sata-drivers-load-windows-recovery-options.html
Only needed, if you used when installing Windows.

7) Restore MBR.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20864-mbr-restore-windows-7-master-boot-record.html

8) Use the Rebuild BCD in this tutorial:
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

9) Check your computer for virus or malware.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html?ltr=M

10)The bootkit malware Trojan:Win32/Popureb.E
Don

11) Mark the Windows HD ACTIVE:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html?ltr=P

Still not showing.
12) Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

If you have not made your Startup Repair
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
Do you have a mate with Windows 7 & CD/DVD RW Drive, how could burn one off.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html?ltr=S

 

[olliej]

Thanks very much for your help. I have downloaded the system sweeper onto a USB and will let you know the results as soon as possible (at work now)

I'll also try and get my hands on the startup repair CD. Is it something I could request for from Dell (i know it's windows but just assume they may send it?)

Thanks.

 

[theog]

Thanks very much for your help. I have downloaded the system sweeper onto a USB and will let you know the results as soon as possible (at work now)

I'll also try and get my hands on the startup repair CD. Is it something I could request for from Dell (i know it's windows but just assume they may send it?)

Thanks.

NO.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

 

[olliej]

First of all, I ran the system sweeper and there was a trojan on there which I deleted - cheers for that suggestion.

Then I got the startup repair onto a disc from a mates computer.

I booted up my computer from the disc and it took me to the "system recovery options" screen. It displayed my operating system:
Windows 7 xxxxxxMB(can't remember) (D: ) OS

I ran the startup repair 4 times. The first time, a fault was detected (I cleverly didn't take down the details). Restarted after this but to no avail. The next 3 times the startup repair ran, nothing was detected at all.

From the steps you have suggested above, do I now start from:

"If not showing after 3 runs, check out the list below.
1) Run Startup Repair once,(drive may be marked inactive) this will mark the drive ACTIVE.

etc..."

or does this refer to the operating system not showing within the system recovery box?

Thanks for your help so far theog

 

[Britton30]

Please wait for Theog's reply. Here is some info on Stop:0x7B

 

[theog]

Try FixMbr or FixBoot in this tutorial:
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

The bootkit malware Trojan:Win32/Popureb.E, have look at blog.
Don
If this was the Trojan, you will need to reinstall.

 

[olliej]

Britton, I followed that link.

Upon reading this:

"When noting down this information, make doubly sure that you are noting down the parameters without any errors.
In stop 0×7b, the parameter of importance is the second parameter. "

I'm afraid I don't understand. What is the "second parameter"?

The blue screen flashes up literally for about 0.1 seconds. I took a photo of it with my camera (super speedy reactions!)
here is the error message:

I don't know if the aforementioned second parameter is there somewhere...

 

[olliej]

Try FixMbr or FixBoot in this tutorial:
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

The bootkit malware Trojan:Win32/Popureb.E, have look at blog.
Don
If this was the Trojan, you will need to reinstall.

I am almost certain that was the trojan (kicking myself for not making a note.)

You say I need to reinstall. Does that mean there is no solution and I have to wipe everything on my computer?

I clicked the "don" link and read it. This implies there may be a solution...


"2. Use the tool BOOTREC.exe to fix the MBR as in:

bootrec.exe /fixmbr"

I'm afraid i'm not technically minded enough to know what that means.

ETA:
I worked it out and typed both options into the command prompt and restarted the computer.

Still the error message appears.

I'm going to call it a night now

 

[Britton30]

Maybe Restore the MBR will be easier to follow. Take some notes anf follow each step.

 

[olliej]

Maybe Restore the MBR will be easier to follow. Take some notes anf follow each step.

Thanks Britton. I followed the link and carried out each step. However, the screen at the end of step 7 looked different for me as the "bootsect.exe" wasn't there.

I typed in the next step assuming it wouldn't work and of course it didn't.

Here is a photo of the screen i had:

What do you think i did wrong?

 

[theog]

try fixmbr in this tutorial:
how to use the bootrec.exe tool in the windows recovery environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in windows

View attachment 163695

 

[Britton30]

Hmm, it appears your mistyped bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr
as bootsect /nt60 SYS /nbr
And it doesn't show your Win7 DVD?

Edit: I've contacted the author of the tut for help.

 

[olliej]

try fixmbr in this tutorial:
how to use the bootrec.exe tool in the windows recovery environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in windows

View attachment 163695

theog, i edited my post on the previous page to say that i did in fact do the bootrec.exe with fixmbr and the other you suggested. I did both again just now and the error message is still there.

 

[olliej]

Hmm, it appears your mistyped bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr
as bootsect /nt60 SYS /nbr
And it doesn't show your Win7 DVD?

Edit: I've contacted the author of the tut for help.

My bad! I typed it in correctly this time but still the error code appears

 

[theog]

IMO it is time for a reinstall.

If you have a External HD, you could copy & paste your data.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html
than copy & paste your data to new install.

Do a full clean & full format in command prompt.
Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT fs=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

 

[olliej]

IMO it is time for a reinstall.

If you have a External HD, you could copy & paste your data.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html
than copy & paste your data to new install.

Do a full clean & full format in command prompt.
Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT fs=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

Thank you so much theog. I copied all my data to an external hard drive and then followed through the command prompt stuff above. It's taken about 5 hours but has just finished. Is there anywhere that I could check that I have done it all correctly? (i did follow the tutorial link too)

I will then use the dell recovery disk.

Thank you so much for all your help!

 

[theog]

As long as you did the CLEAN ALL part, you will be good to go, to use the Dell Recovery Disks.

 

[olliej]

As long as you did the CLEAN ALL part, you will be good to go, to use the Dell Recovery Disks.

It must be clean of everything as the "bootMGR" is missing thus everything should be gone. Thanks a lot. Just got to get the recovery disks now and i'll let you know when i'm up and running.