XP not, Ubuntu yes

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Hi,
I seem to have a peculiar problem.
This HP Workstation XW4600 with XP SP3 would not start at a sudden.
Just a blinking cursor after the XP start-screen.
Tried all options XP offers to rebuild: no luck.
Latest BIOS from HP: no luck.
Tried a BartPE and an original XP cd to start with.
This time a BSOD with STOP of x0000007b and some parameters on that.
No description. Searching found only INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE descriptions.
Took out the HD, started with an XP cd again: same error.
Checked both cd’s on another system: no problem.
Took the rescue CD of AVG (linux OS) and was able to run a scan on the hd (which I put in again, of course).
Found nothing.
Took a Ubuntu-USB, started from that, no problem.
Tested the system with the built-in apps of Ubuntu: no problem.
Me: big problem or rather flabbergasted.
Anybody on this?

TIA
Sjors

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I read that AVG’s latest update caused a problem similar to your that made some XP systems un-bootable.

If you check out the AVG site I think they address it there.

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This article proved quite useful two or three times to recover from serious issues with XP. Maybe it can be of help to you.

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If you flashed the BIOS you have default settings, possibly ones that are incompatible with XP, one of which is IDE emulation or AHCI mode. If SATA drivers are loaded then it needs to be AHCI, if not then IDE or PATA emulation. Its a place to start anyway and is one of the things that will give you a STOP 7b.

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Hi guys (and/or dolls),

Tnx for thinking with me.
Checked your suggestions, afraid they didn’t help.
You seem to be missing two important issues:
1. Even without a harddisk, using the XP cd-rom I get the BSOD with this error!
2. Using a cd or usb with Linux as a starter I don’t get the error, even with the hd attached!

That’s what making this problem so weird, at least to me.

tnx again,
Sjors

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Could it be something as simple as a CMOS battery needing replacement. Look on the MB for what appears to be a watch battery. Replace it (may cost all of 2 or 3 dollars). See if this helps.

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What type and version is the original XP disc? Pre SP2 won’t even recognize PCIe graphics slot and bluescreens early. Its my best guess that it is some modern feature that Ubuntu has generic drivers for or it is better at sussing the OS drive and maintaining a proper boot loader.
When you use Ubuntu can you browse and access any and all parts of the XP OS drive? If it seems perfectly fine that’s a good sign at least.
XP disc bluescreening seems like its too old, or incompatible with some harware feature or setting in the BIOS.
SpinRite might fix the problem but its expensive…

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Hi,
Found the problem. A user changed the settings of the SATA settings in the BIOS. That way xp-drivers that were installed at the original configuration would not load anymore. Linux uses other drivers to load SATA-drives. Seems to be a common problem, according to HP. Not restricted to HP though. Had to use the restore CD to get back to the original state.
Better password protect that BIOS (do I hear: YES ?)
Byron indicated this problem.

Tnx all,
Sjors

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A user changed the settings of the SATA settings in the BIOS. That way xp-drivers that were installed at the original configuration would not load anymore. Linux uses other drivers to load SATA-drives. Seems to be a common problem, according to HP. Not restricted to HP though.

Oh its tremendously common, because of the simple fact that XP does not have any native SATA drivers. When I do an install of XP these days and cannot or do not want to emulate IDE, I have to dig around in the chipset driver disc for the SATA drivers for XP (I can imagine one day they just won’t be included there either), slipstream them into my XP install disc (cuz who has a floppy these days?) and then install the customized XP to that system.I still love the more straight-forward directness and nimbleness of XP…but it certainly is much more difficult to install than 7 is these days.

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