Stop Error Screen: Inaccessible Boot Device

A

Americo

New Member
I'm wearing down.

I just connected to the internet at home 10 days ago for the first time. My computer got terribly infected by malware/spyware and other evil doers. I finally found help on this forum just earlier this evening, and ran MalwareBytes and HiJackThis programs, posted the logs, and then was advised to also run ComboFix (name?).

Afterwards, everything seemed back to normal, and I was very relieved and thankful.

Then, in another thread I asked where I could find Intel PROSet files that I mistakenly deleted in desperation while trying to kill the viruses and before finding this website. Someone referred me to Softpedia for that packet of files. On that website, another program, Driver Detective, promised to scan for all drivers needed, so I downloaded and ran it.

It's progress bar completed, and then started over, and completed again - over and over and over - at least 15 times, and the Cancel button was inactive. Finally, almost certain that something was wrong, I turned off my computer to stop it.

When turned back on, it proceeds to a point, but then upcomes a blue screen with DOS-like white font, and I'm unable to do anything further. It says:
*** STOP: 0x0000007B (0xFA3E4C50,0xC0000032,0x00000000,0x00000000)
INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and tterminated. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.

Refer to your Getting Started manual for more information on troubleshooting Stop errors.
Click to expand...

I'm unable to do anything at all, because this screen prevents me from doing the Run CHKDSK /F or anything else, or perhaps I just don't know how to do so.

I have another old very slow computer I bought for $5 at a auction sale, and I've connected to it to communicate again on the forum, since my newer computer is in the state described.

I'm stuck. Please help. I can't take much more.

Thanks.
 
Try hitting F8 on the keyboard over and over while booting. When Windows Advanced Options comes up try using Last Known Good Configuration.
 
StrangleHold said:
Try hitting F8 on the keyboard over and over while booting. When Windows Advanced Options comes up try using Last Known Good Configuration.
Click to expand...

By booting, do you mean just shutting down and restarting the computer, and meanwhile hitting the F8 key over and over?

I have tried pressing it (it's mentioned in the startup process before the blue screen arrives), but I didn't keep hitting it over and over, so I'll try that now.

Thanks!
 
Yea start pressing it while the computer is booting. Really you hit it right before windows loads but alot of people wait to long and miss it.
 
StrangleHold said:
Try hitting F8 on the keyboard over and over while booting. When Windows Advanced Options comes up try using Last Known Good Configuration.
Click to expand...

That worked! However, after selecting Last Known Good Configuration, the Windows 2000 (only option listed) and the Profile 1 (only option listed), it appeared to be starting up - only to again go to that same Stop Error screen (Inaccessible_Boot_Device).

But, at least momentarily, I was into some other potential options. I noticed there were other choices along with the Last Known Configuration, should I try another of those?

First, I'll try the Last Known Good Configuration again, and I'll also examine the other options while there.

If it doesn't work again, what other of those options would you suggest that I try?
 
You have 2000 installed? Try Safe Mode, if it boots, look in add and remove programs in the control panel and see if that online scanner installed a program. If so uninstall it and try booting again normal. If you go into your bios make sure your harddrive is set 1st. in your boot order.
 
StrangleHold said:
You have 2000 installed? Try Safe Mode, if it boots, look in add and remove programs in the control panel and see if that online scanner installed a program. If so uninstall it and try booting again normal.
Click to expand...

The Last Good Configuration wasn't working.

There are three Safe Mode options:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Click to expand...

Which should I try?

Below those, there are also:
Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA Mode
Last Known Good Configuration
Directory Services Restore Mode
Debugging Mode

Boot Normally
Return to OS Choices Menu
Click to expand...
 
StrangleHold said:
You have 2000 installed? Try Safe Mode, if it boots, look in add and remove programs in the control panel and see if that online scanner installed a program. If so uninstall it and try booting again normal. If you go into your bios make sure your harddrive is set 1st. in your boot order.
Click to expand...

I tried Safe Mode. It scrolled through a list of data, and then fairly quickly returned to that same blue Stop Error screen message.

Next??

I appreciate your helping me. :)
 
StrangleHold said:
Do you have your 2000 CD?
Click to expand...

No, I don't. I bought the computer used. No disc. Can it be downloaded? Of course, the backup computer I'm using now to talk with you is a very slow old computer I saw at an auction for $5, so it might be really slow to download, but it works. It has small memory and processing speed, but it does have Windows XP.

But, no Windows 2000 CD.
 
Sure you just dont have a CD/DVD in your drive and its getting the Inaccessible boot drive error? Just a thought. Has it got a floppy drive. If so download this and put it on floppies numbered 1-2-3-4-5-6. Boot to the first one and after the sixth one you should get to a page where you can press R for the recovery Console. In the recovery console run FIXBOOT first, if that doesnt work try FIXMBR next. And when your trying to boot afterwards make sure no floppy or CD is in.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...DB-5039-4955-BCB7-4FED408EA73F&displaylang=en

Its for XP but will work with 2000 too.
 
StrangleHold said:
Sure you just dont have a CD/DVD in your drive and its getting the Inaccessible boot drive error? Just a thought.
Click to expand...
Interesting... earlier tonight - I don't know if it was before I started getting rid of those viruses or during that process (malware/spyware, etc with MalwareBytes/HiJackIt, followed by ComboFix) or even after when I was running Drive Detective (I'm tired and just don't recall now), but at some point, I definitely remember hearing my CD drive making noise and I thought it was strange and opened it to see if a disc had been left inside (there wasn't).. I hope the noise from it wasn't due to one of the programs and I opened the door when I shouldn't have. causing this problem. Of course, when I heard the drive and opened it to check may have been earlier and even perhaps when I wasn't running cleaning software at all - I just don't know, now.

Has it got a floppy drive. If so download this and put it on floppies numbered 1-2-3-4-5-6. Boot to the first one and after the sixth one you should get to a page where you can press R for the recovery Console. In the recovery console run FIXBOOT first, if that doesnt work try FIXMBR next. And when your trying to boot afterwards make sure no floppy or CD is in.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...DB-5039-4955-BCB7-4FED408EA73F&displaylang=en

Its for XP but will work with 2000 too.
Click to expand...

I'll try that, then. I don't have the floppies on hand, so I'll have to buy a box tomorrow. After the sixth floppy, will it prompt me to press R for the recovery Console? I'll read the instructions in the link you gave.

Thank you very much for all your help. I'll get the floppies and give this a try.

:)
 
Interesting... earlier tonight - I don't know if it was before I started getting rid of those viruses or during that process (malware/spyware, etc with MalwareBytes/HiJackIt, followed by ComboFix)
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity, where you following anyones directions while using ComboFix? It can screw up your system pretty good if used wrong.
 
Sure you just dont have a CD/DVD in your drive and its getting the Inaccessible boot drive error? Just a thought. Has it got a floppy drive. If so download this and put it on floppies numbered 1-2-3-4-5-6. Boot to the first one and after the sixth one you should get to a page where you can press R for the recovery Console. In the recovery console run FIXBOOT first, if that doesnt work try FIXMBR next. And when your trying to boot afterwards make sure no floppy or CD is in.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...DB-5039-4955-BCB7-4FED408EA73F&displaylang=en

Its for XP but will work with 2000 too.
Click to expand...

I've slept overnight, hoping I'd wake up and my computer would have healed itself, but...

Is this still the best solution at this point? I bought the computer used... won't I lose all of the registered software other than the operating system?

I've yet to find a Windows 2000 download comparable to the XP download above, but I did see this Windows 2000 Registry Repair Utility. Is it of use?

Can I use a USB Drive stick instead of six floppy discs?

I should probably mention that my Windows version says it's 'Windows 2000 Professional based on NT Technology'. So, do I need to seek that distinct version as opposed to simply Windows 2000?

Any other ideas for helping me recover the use of my computer?
 
Last edited:
So, why no response? I no longer have a working computer... you could at least continue with suggestions or refer me to someone who might help.

I downloaded the files onto floppies, made them into a boot disk, but when I start up my computer with floppy 1 in, nothing happens except for the usual startup which ends in the blue "Unaccessible" screen.

I also kept hitting the F8 button when starting up the computer, and get a list of four options. When I choose First Floppy Drive with Boot Disc 1 floppy in, still nothing happens but a return to the normal startup that changes into the blue nightmare.

I no longer have a computer. HELP!
 
Last edited:
Well man I dont live here. Sounds like you dont have it booting to the floppy. Go into your bios and set your floppy as first boot device.
 
If the floppy thing doesn't work and you can get your hands on a windows 2000 professional CD, a repair install should do it. I'm thinking that when you removed the spyware and what-not you also got your harddrive controller driver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top