A31 Blue Screen

R, A, G and Z series specific matters only
Post Reply
Message
Author
chuck6209
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN

A31 Blue Screen

#1 Post by chuck6209 » Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:09 pm

I recently purchased an A31 - Type 2652-J3U. 1.6P4, 30GB Windows XP Pro, on EBay. Worked fine until this afternoon when installing a Windows Media Player update. Update didn't seem to be installing so I tried to end the program - was unable to do so so I turned the computer off. When I tried to start again, the IBM logo screen appeared, then the screen telling me that Windows had shut down during the last session asking if I wanted to restart Windows normally - when I selected this option I got a blue screen Stop Error 0x00000078 suggesting that I check my hard drive. The system then restarted - got the IBM logo screen, the start Windows normally screen, then blue screen, then restart, etc.
I am at a loss here. Is this an indication that the hard drive has crashed? I also tried starting in Safe Mode but also got the same blue screen.

Harryc
Moderator Emeritus
Moderator Emeritus
Posts: 13228
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:23 am
Location: Upstate New York

#2 Post by Harryc » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:45 pm

Select the 'Last Known Good Configuration' option when you reboot.

chuck6209
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN

#3 Post by chuck6209 » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:42 pm

I should have mentioned that I have tried that as well as the other choices available from that screen and the result is the same - it will not boot and goes to the blue screen error, restarts, and I assume would go on like this until the battery fails. How do I get out of this loop?
Incidentally - thanks for taking the time to reply

ajkula66
SuperUserGeorge
SuperUserGeorge
Posts: 15742
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:28 am
Location: Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania

#4 Post by ajkula66 » Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:49 am

A couple of things can be done here....

a) First, change the setup in BIOS to "diagnostics" boot and see whether it recognizes the hard drive. If no, replace it . If yes:
b) You may want to find a copy of XP install disk (or recovery disks, depending on whether the OS was IBM or retail version) and start from scratch...
1) If the install was OEM IBM, recovery disks will give you the option of running a PC-Doctor test. Make sure that all your ducks-including RAM and media drive-are in a row.
2) If the install has been a retail one, insert the XP (retail) disk and when it offers you the options of installing or fixing the existing install, click on "repair" and then type FIXMBR once prompted...this should fix the issue...

Try the aforementioned and let us know how it went...
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

AARP club members:A31p, T43pSF

Abused daily: T61p

PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

chuck6209
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN

#5 Post by chuck6209 » Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:31 pm

Thanks for your reply.
I changed the setup in BIOS to "diagnostics" as you suggested. The results showed a number of things but I assume the "Fixed Disk 0: IC25(more alphanumerics)" refers to the hard drive. What I don't know is whether this means that the hard drive was recognized or not. I would guess that it was recognized but would like some help on this.

As to recovery disks - this appears to be an OEM IBM - I have ordered a set and don't expect them for a few days.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “ThinkPad R, A, G and Z Series”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests