BSOD from SP1 for Win 7 Ultimate (64-bit)

Short version: I get BSOD (error 0x0000007B) on reboot after installing Service Pack 1 for Windows 7. It happens a few seconds after the Windows logo startup animation begins. Safe mode doesn't work either, and I have to revert to a backup image I made before installing the service pack.

Any suggestion? or which Microsoft forum or service should I contact for help?

More details: I've uninstalled all language packs because I read they could cause errors with SP1, and I used Driver Genius Pro to update all drivers. I've tried updating to SP1 four times now, initially through Automatic Updates, and the last time I downloaded SP1 from MG and installed it manually. Same BSOD each time. All other software and updates have installed perfectly fine (no problems), and the system is new so I have (had) hardly any 3rd party software installed or running when I tried to update the first time, in particular, I had no antivirus or firewall installed (except Windows built-in Firewall) during the update attempts. Since then I have added IObit Malware Defender.

Longer version:

I bought a new high-end laptop last week; Samsung RF711 with Quod Core i7 processor, 6 GB ram, 2 x 500 GB hard drives, NVIDIA video and Intel HD graphics, etc. It came with Win 7 Home Premium (64-bit), but upgraded to Win 7 Ultimate (64-bit) right away because I could get it for free from my employer (I frequently bring my personal laptop to work). I also swapped out the first original system hard drive, Hitachi 500 GB 5400 RPM SATA-II drive, for a Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM SATA-II drive that I had in my old laptop (I erased the drive pre-swap). Eventually I plan to upgrade to a SDD drive.

In terms of software, I backed up the drivers from the original Win 7 Home Premium system and restored them to the new Win 7 Ultimate system. Also after the first failed SP1 install attempt, I updated these drivers with Driver Genius Pro. I had also installed MS Office 2010 Premium, basic MS updates and hotfixes, and I added a 40 GB VHD with an older Win 7 SP1 installation on it to my boot menu with Neosmarts EasyBCD 2.0, and later I installed Samsung's own software for this laptop (available for download from their support site). Recently I also added Rollback Rx 9.1 because I got tired of full image restores after BSOD using Drive Snapshot.

Everything except Service Pack 1 install works fine on this new laptop. I haven't found a solution to this issue by googling; or to be more precise, I did read reports about various types of BSODs after SP1 update, and I tried some of the suggested fixes (e.g. removing language packs and updating drivers), but have had no luck with them. Any ideas?

p.s. Currently I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate without SP1 and it's working great, but I'd prefer to update to SP1 or at least to be able to update to it without BSOD.

 

edit: To fix the system after BSOD, I also tried running ChkDsk and Windows Repair from the installation Flash drive, but neither worked. I also ran sfc.exe /scannow to check system file integrity before one of the SP1 install attempts, but it found no violations. I'm logged in as admin, and I currently have UAC turned off because I have lots of updating to do as this is a brand new system.

 

This BSOD is typically telling you that it is not able to access the hard drive.
This could be something from the BIOS that is set incorrectly. Which drive mode are you using?

• AHCI
• IDE
• RAID

Look at the below picture to help:
http://www.hddoctor.net/images/Advanced-Host-Controller-Interface-_8D81/image.png

What is it currently set at?

Also, this might be worth a try:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821 - root of downloads
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=167367 - direct download

Try installing this update while you are on SP0. Then attempt to upgrade.

 

Why not just update through the manufacturer's website? :major

 

I would do so, then if necessary update other drivers.
When it crashes did you try Startup using Last Known Good Configuration ?
When it crashes , have you tried f8 into safe mode ? If you can get in this way, then check in event viewer to see what is reported.
Have you tried with less ram- say 2gb ?
It could be worth installing fresh from Windows disc, not from copy, AS THISISU SAYS and then adding antyvirus, the going on-line to update Windows only before adding Office etc:
Windows 7 will bulk if it thinks your hard drive is flagging, whereas it will not notice in XP
Have a look at Microsofts , her, too.
http://windows.microsoft.com/troubleshootwindows7sp1

 

I've attached the relevant pics from my laptop's BIOS. Please let me know if I should change something.

 

Driver Genius does download the drivers or driver update tools from the relevant manufacturers. It's just easier to use than hunting the correct drivers down individually.

If you meant the laptop manufacturer, Samsung, then I downloaded their driver packages too for this laptop and OS, but didn't bother to install them since I think they were already installed (or restored) on this laptop. In my experience, laptop manufacturers don't offer the very latest driver packages for their computers.

But in any case, I only updated the drivers after the first BSOD and nothing changed, so it's very unlikely that updating the drivers with Driver Genius made things worse.

 

no. i keep system restore turned off (bad memories with it from my xp days). i use either rollback rx and/or drive snapshot instead.

safe mode doesn't work. also booting with the installation flash drive and choosing Windows repair and chkdsk don't help.

No. I suppose I may try that at some point, but I haven't seen any reports that SP1 would have a problem with too much ram.

that would be the last resort because reinstalling Windows (or restoring the original Windows 7 Home Premium, which I don't want anyway), would take a lot of time and then I'd have to reinstall and re-update everything I did last week all over again...

 

thank you thisisu and baklogic for the suggestions. i'll look into them and i'll check out the links later today.

 

AHCI is set to auto, so should be o.k, but it can be worth actually setting to ahci, by clicking on the relevent place, and use arrows or spacebar as your computer directs, to set to AHCI.
Microsoft do say that sometimes the antivrus can interfere with the major service packs.

 

What's in the security tab?

 

You could try inserting the Windows 7 dic, and choose the start up repair option, before re-installing

 

Just password settings, etc. Nothing that should affect updates or drivers.

 

I tried startup repair but it couldn't fix the BSOD issue.

As for AV, I only installed IObit Malware Fighter a few days ago. Either all or the first 3 BSODs occurred before IMF. I've had KeyScrambler installed longer, but probably even it wasn't there during the first one or two BSODs. I just wanted some basic protection since I'm actively using this computer and surfing the web with it. For firewall, I'm just using Windows 7's built-in one, although I also have a small program called Windows Firewall Control that helps to control it and create policies for it.

 

Are there any passwords set?

 

What other options do you press ENTER at: "AHCI Mode control [Auto]"

If there is an IDE or S-ATA Option. Try that one.. save changes in BIOS, and reset your PC.

If you still get a BSOD, change it back to [Auto] and save changes again.

 

Hello,

I have the exact same problem that you are having.

Everything is working fine until I attempt to install the Win 7 SP 1 and it reboots and then BAM! BSOD.

This is from a clean install of win 7 home edition there is no other programs installed when this happens.

I have my mobo bios set to AHCI mode (which was recommended by the SSD manufacturer)

I believe that the service pack somehow changes/deletes a driver that allows my SSD to operate properly. However I don't know enough to figure out how or why this is happening.

Please let me know if you make any progress with this issue as I have searched the Net extensively and not found a fix. Looks like I'm not using SP 1 for now .