Can't boot up --- BSOD -- STOP: 0x0000007E

If I had a dollar for every time I've seen stop: 0x0000007E's........

That is generally hardware or driver related.
Can you boot into safe mode?
(As per http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when the Boot Menu appears.

Select an option (Safe mode) when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then press ENTER.

When the Boot menu appears again, and the words "Safe Mode" appear in blue at the bottom, select the installation that you want to start, and then press ENTER.

Did you install any updated drivers/hardware recently?

Terry

When I get the error, I cannot startup in Safe Mode. If I try, another Stop error appears.
I have got around it by pressing F10 and going into Recovery Mode, and opting for just the System Restore..
It them wants the computer restarted. I do so and it will go to System Restore. I did a System Restore, but the same error appears.
So I go through the F10 procedure again. When it reboots and wants to do a System Restore I click no and it them will boot to Windows.
Then, it's iffy. Sometimes I can do what I need to on the computer and sometimes, right in the middle of whatever I am doing, poof...the STOP error reappears.

I did not add any hardware.
After I kept on getting this error I did update my video driver, but that did not fix the problem.
Linda

Sounds more hardware related.
Not being able to boot into safe mode means windows can't run with just base drivers.

And since you can't keep windows stable abit hard to diagnose.
If it will last long enough  you can do a sfc /scannow to check base windows system files are correct.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm  gives instructions on doing a repair install (But doubtful it will fix this.)

I'd give memtest a go to see if you have faulty memory (Which causes this alot of the time). It runs in dos off a floppy disk.
Download the "Pre-Compiled package for Floppy (DOS - Win)" from here
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

As per the readme.txt for memtest
"unzip the package into a directory like C:\memtest, insert a
  blank floppy into your a: disk drive and run the install.bat file. As the
  install prompts you, to use memtest directly, leave the disk in the drive
  and reboot your machine."

Terry

Just an addendum to the above:  you need to let memtest run for a while - overnight is best - in order to get an accurate read out. It is often simpler to simply replace the RAM and see if the problem goes away or not...

Ok, silly question from me.
I do not have a floppy drive on my computer.
Is there another way I do a memory teat?
Linda
Ps. Right now i will do the "sfc /scannow"
Thanks,
Linda

Yes indeed.
There is a Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)

Unzip it somewhere and use your normal CD writing software to open memtest86+-1.70.iso  (The file that was unzipped) and it should prompt you to write it to a CD.
once written the CD itself is bootable, so you boot off the CD and memtest should kick into gear.

Terry

Ok Terry,
I will do that and run the test tonight.
Thanks, Linda

You could also try a PE disk like UBCD4Win:

http://www.ubcd4win.com/downloads.htm

As well as memtest, this CD contains many useful diagnostic apps...

i suggest not to take the ubcd 4Win, but for Dos (loads very much quicker, and contains all tests :
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_Full_d4981.html

Good Afternoon All,
Well, the Memtest came out ok, the "sfc /scannow" was ok.
I will do the UBCD next.
This is so frustrating.......
Linda

I just got this exact same problem, hard drive has failed completely and at the moment I cannot access any files. You can try and download some thing called miniPE boot disk which is good, but if your file system is damaged you may not be able to recover your files.

Most likely you will have to format your disk and reinstall everything, or you may have to get a new hard disk like me :(

Hi Linda,

I agree with Nobus.
Disconnect everything you can. Since memory checks out and windows system files has been discounted I'd say it's a driver myself (Still possible faulty hardware, but until you start it with the bare basics windows needs how are you going to tell).
This one is a process of eliminiation. UBCD and the such since it's not loading what windows thinks it has as devices should pass all the tests as it's loading it's own operating system and not what windows tries to load.
What you have done has discounted some of the main causes, given your results I reckon you have a flakey driver. Finding it is the harder part. Removing EVERYTHING baring 1 stick or memory (Still possible, but since it's passed memtest this would be one of the things I'd probably do last, Famous last words, best stick with what Nobus says. LOL!), video card, keyboard and mouse will let us know if the system will at least start and be stable with just basic hardware.
Then slowly add one device at a time (I'd do network, then printer, then slowly add the other devices like cameras, scanners, USB whatever else)

Terry.

Hi Linda,

I think it was nobus who first suggested putting everything back to bare basics.

Terry

Linda,
Did you find the cause for this? (a piece if hardware you plugged in?)
Sorry, I'm just curious.

Terry

Terry,
For whatever reason, it ended up being my external hard drive. I have had it for a couple of years, so I don't know why this all happened now.
But all is ok now.
Thanks to everyonw who helped :)
Linda