http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330182

If it's a Dell see link:

Here is a link that might be useful: Dell

It is a Dell and I did what it said.... the setting is changed but I still get the blue screen.

I tried to open again in safe networking...before it goes to the blue screen there is a screen that shows a bunch of drivers...

Nancy

This is a known Dell issue. I would use the service contract you have.

FYI See link,it's just additional information.

This is the driver iastor.sys That is causing the issue.

Here is a link that might be useful: Information

Thank you, Zep.

I will call Dell now. I will also report back.

Nancy

Yes please do, I would think it's a matter of up-dating the driver.

Interesting response from Dell. The tech person I got said that this was his seventh call today with the same error. It seems to be connected to an automatic update from Windows.

Because I could not even boot in safe mode, I had to wipe the hardrive clean. My system is doing a complete new setup right now. Tech support is calling me back in about a hour to help finish.

Please don't laugh when I ask.... can all the files that I had transferred to my new laptop now be sent back to my desktop in some way???

Nancy

How did you send them to the laptop? Just reverse it.

When the desktop gets going you can transfer what ever files you want, by flash drive, cd, or external drive. If all the files are in one folder drag the folder over top of the flash drive. Then insert the flash drive into a USB slot on the desk top, Let us know if you need additional help moving the files back to the desk top.

All Windows updates have a KB#. Ask dell what the KB# is of the automatic update that is causing the issue. I'd be interested in there response.

Nancy while this may seem a nuisance it might be a blessing in disguise. After over 3 years of service there will be numerous oddities no doubt so a clean start is good. Plus you were smart enough to save all your data before any crisis appeared.

Reinstalling all the programs you had and getting them set up as you had them can be a nuisance but at least you will likely only load those you use now. The machine will seem so much faster too no doubt.

I noticed there was an update on the computers at the archives where I look after the computers. Hmm, perhaps I will get a call when they re-open on Friday.

The windows update that caused my problem (according to Dell) was KB977165. From what the tech told me, the problem has only happened with computers running XP.

The tech is calling me back tomorrow to help finish my new install. I did try to transfer from the Win7 laptop to the old XP using the Easy Share Cable....no go. It wouldn't allow me to call the XP the new computer...

Another question.... as I set here, thinking about all this and all the time it's going to take, I'm wondering if I'll have to go thru all this again when I install Win7 on the computer that is now XP???? Would it be better to just go ahead and do that now?

Nancy

Are you sure the computer will run windows7? I mean it should but you may want to run the windows7 compatibility test. See link. And yeah transfer the files then.

How are you installing? With a New Windows 7 disk?

Here is a link that might be useful: windows7 compatibility test

I have the exact same Dell XPS400 running XP SP3. I received KB977165 in an update yesterday. Have not noticed any problems so far. Should I be concerned?

All I know is this is the issue iastor.sys. It's clearly pointed out in the Stop error. It's a driver. What it has to do with a Windows update I am not sure yet.

It's also possible You may not have iastor.sys. driver installed.

I have found 3 files named iastor.sys. All are the same size 852kb and have the same date-time stamp 6/17/2005 11:33 They are located in C:\i386, C:\Windows\system32\drivers, C:\drivers\storage\sata\onboard

Your mother board maybe slightly different, maybe the drives are slightly different rev level. Ram configurations different etc etc. I can't explain why one user has the error and the other does not even though the conditions appear to be somewhat the same....

With hard drives relatively inexpensive and USB port so easy to use, my backup strategy is to clone the hard drive.

This way anything happens you just replace you drive and you are immediately ready to go. You have all your files and you don't need to spend hours to re-load all your software and files.

dcarch

Dcarch, do you mind explaining how you do that? Don't know if I'm at the knowledge level that would understand, but could you try?

casi,

Disk cloning uses a special software program such as Symantec's Norton Ghost to create an exact copy of one hard disk on a second drive. This does not involve copying files as such. Rather, the software creates an "image file" of the drive's contents which is then applied to a new hard drive, or stored elsewhere. See link provided.

Here is a link that might be useful: Disk cloning

casi,

Disk cloning uses a special software program such as Symantec's Norton Ghost to create an exact copy of one hard disk on a second drive. This does not involve copying files as such. Rather, the software creates an "image file" of the drive's contents which is then applied to a new hard drive, or stored elsewhere. See link provided.

Here is a link that might be useful: Disk cloning

Thanks Zep, I figured it wasn't as easy as it sounded. Owbist had suggested that I hang on to my dead HP's hard drive. Didn't know if something like that would work for me.

Yes you can make an image of your hard drive and restore from your image to a working hard drive.

Actually, what I am talking about is to make (clone) an identical copy of your hard drive to another hard drive of the same capacity or larger thru your USB port. If your regular hard rive fails, you just replace ( un-plug ) with the cloned drive, and you are in business again right away.

dcarch

I'm curious to know if anyone else has problems with KB977165 as azinoh asked. I received notice of updates but haven't installed them yet especially after reading about wizardnm's problem.

Thanks

Some folks are having issue, the update has been pulled as far as I know from Microsoft.

I would not install it.

Here is a link that might be useful: See thread