trying to understand the time sequence here, did this start to happen right after you did windows updates? if so could it be an update causing the issue? trying to do a system restore to a time prior to the updates might be worth a try. If that proves to be the issue then doing each download individually may be the only option to find which one it is.

when you are up and running have you gone to the event viewer and looked for yellow or red flags to see if you have any codes you can look up as to the cause?

Here's what HP says,

Here is a link that might be useful: hp.com

I would not do a backup if it overwrites a previous backup in case you save the problem as well as your data. Do a fresh backup with a different name to protect yourself.

Zep's link look promising.............

RC, this was the special update issued late on Monday, I believe to address a problem in all versions of Windows---just the one update out of the regular schedule. So I don't think this has anything to do with that. The update required a restart, and it was after that, that this occurred.

Zep, I'll open the case and check the cables connecting the hard drive. Hope that's all it is. Thanks for the link; I'll follow through on all of it.

Owbist, too late, as the backup is in progress. I don't know whether this overwrites previous backups or not.

I'm on my laptop now.

I don't think it's an up-Date issue either or we would have some more complaints around the internet. This error occurs before any system files are loaded yet. The error usually points to a failing Hard drive. It's always best to run the manufactures diagnostics on the hard drive.

there are complaints about that update on many of the forums which is why I was asking, over on BBR there is a several page thread and also on some of the others, ESET NOD users are having the biggest problem.
Microsoft Out-Of-Band Security Bulletin

error after attempting to install Microsoft security update (KB2286198)

Update KB2286198
over on Wilders

also note that
For those that used the MS Fixit solution must unfix prior to applying this hotfix.
The fixit solution page is here:
MS10-046: Vulnerability in Windows Shell could allow remote code execution

this was the sophos tool for this issue if you did this fix it is suggested to do the latest update instead.
Sophos Windows Shortcut Exploit Protection Tool

since the MS update will NOT work on xp sp2 computers since it is no longer supported, using the sophos tool may be an option, however if you have real time protection on your AV and have it fully updated it should catch and stop this infection.

I do not use ESet AV nor did I use the Fixit solution. I did not receive a BSOD, just the black screen with the message I quoted in my original post. Today I downloaded and installed on my Windows 7 - 64 bit machine without incident, so I do not think that had anything to do with what happened.

Tomorrow I'll open up the tower and take a look at the hard disk connections, but first I guess I'll do a check with WD's diagnostics.

Here's an update:
As of last night I was able to get into normal boot mode by hitting Ctrl/Alt/Delete. Yeah! Because I had been having trouble with my cellular connection and router and had done several things including rebooting, I decided to do a system restore back to Aug. 1. Maybe something I had done caused the problem, maybe the update---who knows? Restore worked and computer booted normally. I installed a hard drive monitor and most things it checked were 100% with one item @ 80%. Temperature is below caution level. Today the Windows update notification came, so I installed that with a restart afterwards. So far all has been good, but I have not shut down and done a cold boot. We'll see. I still haven't opened up the case and checked the connections (I dread this because it's so hard for me to physically get the tower up where I can work on it), but I know I probably need to dust out the innards anyway as it has been a year since it was last opened. If I get the error report tomorrow when I boot from a shut down, I'll get hubby to help me with the physical part, and I'll give things a good look see and cleaning.

Thanks so much for the wonderful support I get here.

An apology to RC. I was so certain that I had not installed the Sophos Windows Shortcut Exploit Protection Tool. Well, guess what? Looking through my Program files, I found a folder that contained this. So I have uninstalled, and now all should be well. I am sure that if I hadn't found it, I would have encountered the same problem tomorrow when I start my computer. Whew! Surely glad I found this as I had no recollection of having installed it.

Nice job RC, as usual! Glad you are back running grandms. So far so good here. I have had the tool installed for a while now.

well good work grandms! good team effort! Lets just hope all goes well from here on.

No go. Still got the boot disk message today on bootup. I'm wondering if it matters when the Sophos fix is uninstalled. Perhaps I should have uninstalled BEFORE doing the MS update. I think perhaps I'll do another system restore back to Aug. 1, make sure the Sophos fix is uninstalled, and then install the MS out of band update.

Funny though, that Ctrl/Alt/Delete then brings up the normal boot menu after that message. I'm off to give this idea a try.

it could make a difference in the order, I think giving it a try as you suggested is certainly worthwhile.

I am totally baffled. Booted up normally this morning. Had to shut down this afternoon because of severe thunderstorms. Just started up again and this time I got the boot disk message. Hit Ctrl/Alt/Delete and booting finished. I was just connecting to my cellular carrier when a dialogue box popped up with this message:
Windows - No Disk
Exception processing message
c0000013 Parameters 75b6bf7c 4 75b6bf7c 75b6bf7c
Then three choices given: Cancel, Try Again, Continue

I clicked Try Again and nothing happened. I clicked Continue and the message disappeared. I have used two different hard drive monitors and both indicate good health. In fact HDD Health indicates all is well right now. Last night I ran check disk with no problems. So I'm off to Google this message and see what I can find out. We are going on vacation in a few days, and I just don't have time to pull out the tower and open it. That will have to wait until we return.

See link for possible ideas????????

Looks like a tricky 1 to isolate!!!!!!

Take a rest from it. Have a great Vacation!!

Here is a link that might be useful: /forums.cnet.com

Zep to the rescue again! Now I know what caused the exception processing message. I am using a USB modem to connect to the internet, and I did not use the "Safely Remove Hardware" before I unplugged it this afternoon.

Surely wish the disk boot problem were so easy to solve!

I will enjoy the vacation; going to a grandson's wedding in New England.

Gee grandms,
Do you mean an External modem?
Gosh, I am using an external modem for dialup and when I shut down, close the lid, and everything is off, I just pull it out. The same with the one for my mouse so I can slip it onto my mouse to store.

Advice please,
Urlee

any time you use ANY usb port on your pc you must get in the habit of using the safely remove icon to make sure you can then safely remove the item if not you run the risk of corruption of the device and possibly the pc.
Urlee I know you are now using windows 7 so here are the instructions for it.
How to Eject a Device with Windows 7 Safely Remove Hardware

since you have been shutting down prior to removing it you should be ok but it is really best to follow the proper procedure.

I have been using my flash drives on here and always used the safely remove icon for them.

I did not think of the modem and mouse one as having to be a safely remove device.
I checked and do not see in that box that pops up, either of them there as I do with my flash drives for me to click to safely remove.

Please forgive but I just have to say here, I am on my laptop right now and can't put into words how much I am loving it.
I must have gotten it at a bad time for dialup cause I am not getting bumped off every few minutes like when I first got and tried it. Cross my fingers but have been on for HOURS (4+) straight without a disconnect which makes me grin from ear to ear.

I shall go and read your site to see what it says.
Thanks.

PS,

I just wrote to Trend (the manufacturer) about my rj11 modem just to be safe.
I did not see any option anywhere to safely remove it.
The reason for removing is cause it is in the way and would get bumped.

I am basking in the pleasure I am experiencing of owning a laptop for the reasons I wanted it!
The only thing is:It doesn't know how to spell any better than my desktop! "LOL"

Urlee, I'm so happy for you. I know how much and for how long you have wanted a laptop. You must have the patience of a Job to put up with dialup, but then maybe yours is not as slow as mine was. Just for the heck of it, I plugged in a phone line the other day using Net Zero free, and while I connected just fine and didn't get bumped off, the agonizing slowness of my line was absolutely frustrating. However, sometimes during evening hours, the Verizon tower I get my signal from is also very slow, still not as slow as my phone line.

By the way, I haven't had the boot disk warning message since I posted on Friday, so maybe whatever was causing that has just "vanished". The temp on my hard disk never went above 43C and health (using S.M.A.R.T) is reported as 100%.

grandms, Thank you.
You don't know how happy I am with it. I just hope I am not too happy cause that is when something goes wrong?
You must have the patience of a Job to put up with dialup, but then maybe yours is not as slow as mine
was.
I just eat breakfast while DL'ing.
Then Lunch for the next page.
Next supper etc. etc. Just kidding.
I do get antsy sometimes but it isn't that bad for just surfing. It's really terrible when reading my tribune when it takes forever for the next page to finish loading and for DL's for which I did Avast when I went to sleep cause it took 3½ hours.

In regard to USB removal, I am happy to say:

{{gwi:1488660}}

I am guessing the same goes for my wireless mouse.

Happy Urlee

Finally I have determined that the hard drive is failing. I suddenly had the boot disk message appear several days ago, and when I checked the boot order in BIOS, noted that no hard disk is listed. In attempting to use recovery disks, got a message "No hard drive detected." I then opened the tower and checked the connections, which were good and tight. Did a little dusting while I had it open. Finally, today I went into BIOS setup and saw the hard drive listed and decided to run the SMART test from there. It failed with a notation of "7" and then something about "no read." Since I just bought this drive about a year ago, I checked Western Digital's site and found out that it has a 3 year warranty. I started filling out information online and hit a stone wall when I could not get the page for RMA instructions to load, so I ended up phoning. Once I gave the serial number and was asked the problem, I was offered a replacement using either of two choices. I chose to receive the new drive and then return the old one within 30 days. For this, I had to give them a credit card number so that in case I did not return the old drive, they would charge my credit card $45. I didn't want to have to ship the old one back and then wait for the new one; also I don't have a proper box to ship it in. This way I will ship it back in the box the new one is in. By the way, I did a full backup on Friday, so hopefully putting the OS and all my programs etc. back will not be such a hassle as using the rescue disks. I used my Acronis program to clone the entire hard drive to the external drive I have. I may come asking for help when the time comes to reverse the operation and put things back on the internal hard drive.

Thanks everyone for your help and support.

Wow. It's good to hear that you were able to back everything up first. Was the full backup you did a mirror image?

Yes, I did the full clone.