BSOD on spare computer

[amrist]

Hi there,
I have downloaded BSview , BSview set up and DM log collector and put onto a memory stick .

the spare computer will only run to the start up Compaq Logo then theres a brief blue flash then it dies and then repeats .

it is a PresarioSR5640AN , AMD athlon 64 , **Windows Vista Ultimate** .

I only have F10 , F11 and ESC (boot) at my disposal . I have a disc which doesnt seem to help , it runs thru the test saying nothing is wrong but when I restart , it doesnt reboot .

I disabled auto restart to get = "C000021A fatal system era"

I cant use Safe Mode either it stops at = \windows\system32\drivers\crcdisk.sys

I need to be able to upload the memory stick to the spare computer before I can give the forum a read out display . Ive read the sticky that requires a read out in order to seek help .

is there any handy hints to boot the computer ?
even if you could link me to a similar thread would help me

thanks Amy , new zealand

 

[townsbg]

I suggest that you check with seven forums: Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[amrist]

thank you

 

[amrist]

Whoops !! I should have written , = windows vista ultimate = instead of windows 7

sorry about that

Amy

 

[amrist]

what I should point out is that the hard drives were swapped on both computers and the good HD works on either computer as would be expected .
the bsod HD remains with the same problem so on that basic test , the problem has been isolated to be the HD . so thats means soft ware ?

doed this mean I have to plug both HD into one computer then drag every file , then get them down on disc then use the vista recovery disc to reload vista ?

then transfer all the files back ?

thanks Amy

 

[amrist]

screen pics of start up repair from windows vista recovery disc

I have one spare DVD +R disc if that means anything .....

 

[townsbg]

From what I'm reading a failure loading that driver means that there could be something wrong with the hard drive. I strongly suggest that you first backup your important files and then download drive's diagnostic tools from the manufacturer and run all of the tests on it. If your drive is failing you likely need to replace it. If I where you I would go ahead and replace it and start over with a clean install.

 

[amrist]

plugging both HD into 1 computer would be the only way ?

via Drive (E)

is there a way of doing that and over riding the faulty HD whilst plugged into the other computer ?

or can a file be dragged / transferred over to the other HD when its connected up ?

if both HD are in there , can tests be ran on computer as if it were one , but the other HD gets a dose of testing too ? ... and hopefully corrected or at least the start up can be fixed

 

[townsbg]

Yes you can plug the hard drive into another computer as a slave and try to get your data off. Whether or not you will be able to depends upon it's condition. The best tests aren't those performed by windows but are from the drive's manufacturer and they usually require that you boot into the CD rather than running them from window. There are a few reasons for this including the possibility of being unable to boot into Windows. The drives will be tested one at a time and the tests will likely take a few hours each especially for slower and larger hard drives. Does that help?

 

[amrist]

thank you for that confirmation of my theory .

If the screen goes black and the side light goes orange , the computer button light turns orange ,is that a sign that the computer is busy and should be left alone for how ever long it takes ?

could I possibly try to test both HD at once ?
meaning could I use a memory stick with the down loadable sticky files suggested at the top of the Forum ?
or would that only run tests on the main HD ? Im guessing yes

thank you for your help . I will proceed with caution just to see what Im looking at : ) its new to me
Amy

 

[townsbg]

I don't think that you can test more than one drive at a time. As for your indicators I couldn't tell you without looking at the computer. If you selected the right tests it will likely take a few hours depending upon hard drive size and speed. I'm not sure if the testing program can be put on a usb.