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My hard drive controller seems to have taken a dump, and it appears the only way to get my computer working again is to get my hands on a Windows Automated System Recovery diskette. I do not have one, and do not have another desktop running XP Pro in order to make one.

Would anyone out there happen to be running Windows XP Professional, and willing to create a ASR diskette from which they can zip/rar the contents and upload the file?



You might be able to read up on the problem here.

I dont see how a diskette could help you on this one
it think you have to fix this hardware related error first before you can think of a successful win install

it appears you are not booting form your new hdd/cd but rather from your old hdd that is why you might get the same bsod (i suggest removing ALL HDDs and trying to boot from cd, then just attach the new HDD)

i also suggest trying
STOP 0x0000007B - STOP 0x7B INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE - Fix STOP Error 0x0000007B
esp. the thing with
- bios reset (usually via a jumper switch not battery - consult your mobo manual)
- fixmbr
- i get best results with running "chkdsk c: /r" (not /f)

maybe its a broken cable (ide?) - tried replacing it yet?
maybe its the port tried using the secondary port yet?

maybe those help you?
Bootdisk.Com - Free Windows Bootdisks, Free DOS boot disk
getting a boot disk would only enable you to access the hdd - which you can do via recovery console from the install cd as well (are you getting into recovery mode/console?)

tomorrow I'll see if one of my older pcs has win xp and a floppy drive maybe i can get you the images - but don't get too eager for it

I have tried doing a fresh install on a totally new HDD, and even then the same error pops up. I have also tried different cables, no improvement. So I'm certain it's not a problem with the HDD, but likely an issue with the HDD controller on the mobo.

I am able to access the recovery mode by booting from the CD, but the problem there is that XP Pro uses the Automated System Recovery instead of the "older" Windows Recovery Console. With the ASR, it requires a single boot floppy, followed by CD/DVD media containing the rest of your entire system data. In essence, the ASR will totally repair or reinstall everything up to the last point at which you created the recovery media. The problem is that you need to create your own ASR diskette, I have not been able to find one for download from Microsoft.

I was able to download a copy of their WRC disk creation utility, which made a series of 6 floppies for the WRC program. But those aren't working with the ASR, go figure.


And in order to run the chkdsk, I have to be able to access the command prompt from the recovery console. But for what ever reason, I can't do that because the HDD controller issue won't let windows boot up even in a safe mode.

The old drive was IDE, and the new drive I just purchased was SATA. I tried both methods just to see if the other would work, but neither do.


* Can't roll back the HDD controller driver, requires access to the Device Manager.

* Can't use Recovery Console, the WRC isn't installed on this PC and I don't have the ASR recovery floppy.

* Have checked the IDE and SATA cables, mobo connections, drive connections, power cables, etc. All are in working order.

* HDD's all show up in BIOS just fine, all are configured correctly.

Update the drivers for your hard drive controller. If the drivers to your hard drive controller are outdated, incorrect, or corrupted then the STOP 0x0000007B error will likely occur.

Note: If the STOP 0x0000007B error occurs during the Windows setup process and you suspect that the reason is driver related, be sure to install the latest hard drive controller driver from the manufacturer for use during the installation of the operating system.

Note: This is a likely solution if the second hexadecimal number after the STOP code is 0xC0000034.

This is the exact issue, as noted by the secondary hex. So I can confirm that is the true problem. But how is one to install or update the driver if your PC won't allow you to boot up and you're unable to access the command prompt?


I'm going to try clearing the RTC RAM (CMOS) via the mobo jumper and see if that helps, but I've already reset the battery so I have little confidence it will do anything.

Right now, I'm wondering if a BIOS update will be possible using a BIOS boot disk. I'll have to wait until I can access another desktop with 3.5" drive in order to create the diskette, and due to the luck I've had so far I have little confidence left. But I did download the latest BIOS as well as the update software from ASUS.


The key factors here are my PC is running XP Pro, not XP Home. And my system only has the "Windows Automated System Recovery Tool" and not the "Windows Recovery Console" installed. So in order to create a working diskette, you'd need to have XP Pro with the ASR, and create the single ASR diskette and not the WRC 6-diskette set (which I already have).

I appreciate the assist though.

it would be interresting to know if you can run a linux (live/desktop edition from CD)
i only got a Home edition available and its local is not english :/
but even if i get you the image, how are you gonna get it onto the floppy if your only pc using it is broken?

also i think we are not getting together on that recovery console issue
the recovery console is an additional option when inserting and booting from a WinXP CD
you will get a blue screen where it will ask you to choose to either install or repair windows using the recovery console (R-key) this will grant you access to a fullscreen cmd-prompt
if you are getting the BSOD when booting from the CD (when the IDE drive is not attached) you are having a definit HW failure - the same applies if you cannot install windows onto the SATA imo

when testing drives make sure to really unplug all cables from the one you are not using
maybe this is an issue with your CD drive - try booting the old os with the CDD detached

have a look at the mainboard and cards and see if capacitors are leaking, bloating of rusting have a look at the mainboard and cards and see if capacitors are leaking, bloating of rusting (http://www.mad-monkey.co.uk/resources/p ... acitor.jpg) this means grave system failure is imminent and the part needs to be replaced

SnipingCoward wrote: also i think we are not getting together on that recovery console issue
the recovery console is an additional option when inserting and booting from a WinXP CD

you will get a blue screen where it will ask you to choose to either install or repair windows using the recovery console (R-key) this will grant you access to a fullscreen cmd-prompt

When booting from the Win XP Pro CD, the first option is to press F6 to install any third-party SCSI or RAID drivers. The second option is to press F2 to start the Automated System Recovery (ASR). If neither option is selected, then the computer just starts to boot to windows. This is with a fresh/clean new HDD or my old HDD.

The problem is that right there, due to my PC having XP Pro, the normal recovery console is not present, only the ASR version. I was able to find and download the WRC software and boot disk creation files from the MS web site, but they don't have anything for the ASR version. This means I am unable to access the recovery console, which is needed to run CHKDSK and repair the system.

if you are getting the BSOD when booting from the CD (when the IDE drive is not attached) you are having a definit HW failure - the same applies if you cannot install windows onto the SATA imo

I have tried booting with the old IDE drive, the old (secondary/storage) SATA drive, and the new/blank SATA drive. I have even tried booting with no drive at all attached. All with the same result, BSOD. Due to the second parameter of the stop code, I am pretty certain it is a hard drive controller failure. Fixing this is what I am having problems with, and I don't know a workable solution.

when testing drives make sure to really unplug all cables from the one you are not using
maybe this is an issue with your CD drive - try booting the old os with the CDD detached

I have tried booting the old drive without the SATA DVD drive and the floppy drive attached as well, same results. And when I say unplugged, I mean unplugged from the mobo and power removed from the devices. The only cables touching the mobo are those actively being used. I even tried unplugging the sound card and other non-vital components with negative results.

have a look at the mainboard and cards and see if capacitors are leaking, bloating of rusting have a look at the mainboard and cards and see if capacitors are leaking, bloating of rusting (http://www.mad-monkey.co.uk/resources/p ... acitor.jpg) this means grave system failure is imminent and the part needs to be replaced

The board appears to be in perfect condition. After wiping off dust, it looks nearly brand new. No bent or damaged leads. No liquid/moisture damage. No burnt or discolored components. No discoloring or bulging of the protective film. No damaged tracks or connections. Literally the board looks like it was installed yesterday.


At this point, I have pretty much narrowed the problem down to being a failure of the hard disk controller on the mobo. Unfortunately, I haven't had to correct such an issue in several years, and have become unfamiliar with the steps necessary to correct it. I have tried everything suggested by the technical documents provided by ASUS, and have had minimal replies from the ASUS forums. I called the tech support at ASUS, and he pretty much told me "if it says hardware problem, you're SOL...but a new board".


So if the problem can't be figured out by the 1st of the month (my payday), then I'm buying a replacement board. It's been a ***** finding a suitable replacement, apparently a Socket 754 mobo that supports AGP is pretty rare nowadays.

At least I found a NIB model identical to mine on ebay, it'll cost about $55. And to think I just wasted $65 on a new HDD and **** that I don't have any use for. This is really screwing up with my reenlistment, and I'm bored as hell. I can't do jack with this laptop.

ok, obviously you do not have a potent win cd - here is what i was hoping for:
after some loading (with the F6 option inbetween) you should get this screen http://www.hmtech.ca/blog/wp-content/up ... covery.gif

I *DO NOT* recommend downloading a win xp pro OEM (bootable) CD-image since its probably illegal. I am talking about a CD where you could get to the recovery console and install a clean system. And images from Download Unmodified Original Windows XP with SP3 Integrated Full Retail and VL Install CD ISO Image from MSDN/TechNet Plus via HTTP or Torrent » Tip and Trick might not work with your key.

At http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_ ... Console%3A i read that using the 6 disks you can get into recovery console as well? (also provides some good basic how-tos)

there is also a link to a tool/iso? for creating a bootable cd which incorporates the Recovery Console
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/tools/b ... ec_con.zip

Yeah, my system won't show me that screen. I get a similar but not identical screen with different options posting along the bottom bar. Even with a new/fresh HDD installed it will not bring up that screen.


I'll keep trying, but I've exhausted all of the suggested methods from all sites encountered. At this point, it's looking like I just need to buy a replacement mobo.


I will promise one thing, I'll take my current mobo out for target practice and take some nice photos.