Error code 7

Hi everyone.

My windows desktop XP home edition Dell shows error code 7 then restarts over and over again.

I tried to restore from the CD, but it is doing the same thing. I cannot get any menu to stay on-just goes to blue screen that reads on top fatal error, then blue screen to error code 7, then restarts...I had the hard drive replaced last year. Could this be the motherboard? The Dell computer is at least 5 years old.

I am using my Compaq Windows 98 computer at the moment which I bought in 98...still running like a V8

Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated...

 

sounds like it's not trying to boot the restore cd, if you keep getting that error. Make sure you have it set properly to boot from the cd before the hard drive. On some computers, you get a prompt during the post to select a boot device (usually one of the f keys) otherwise, you can go into the bios and configure it there.

 

Have seen several different causes of this Error Code.
Is there any message that accompanies it?
If so, what?

 

If I am not mistaken, there is a maximum hard disk limitation for '98. I can't remember what the maximum is, but it may be 80 GB. It may be time for an upgrade if I am right. You could try to find a way to take some of the programs off and see if it helps.
Jerry

 

to Jerry Edwards

??? on the 98?
He is working on an XP machine and posting from a 98.

 

Sorry. I Read the post wrong.
Jerry

 

Get an E for effort anyway. :wave

 

That's ok Jerry. I probably didn't explain myself in the best way...BTW, my son lives and works in Seattle!

This is what is happening now. The computer goes to the Welcome screen. Then it goes to a blue screen and it's very fast so I cannot read everything on the top of the screen but I did read "fatal error" then the blue screen goes away, another blue screen pops up and reads "setup restarting" then it goes back to the Welcome sceen, continuously.

I can stop it by ctr alt delete, but I get a keyboard error that reads F1 to continue or F2 for set up utility. But it sticks there and I have to shut the computer off, only to get the Welcome screen scenario.

Is there any number combination that I can type in as the Welcome screen loads??? Example F7 but something else?

I was hoping that the restore disc would be picked up and run, but the cd rom is not picking it up.

This is a bad time for the pc to take a dump as we are in financial stress so we'd have to wait for the first of the month to get it fixed. Then it may be better to move on to a newer computer. I wish there was a simple fix or at least the pc would show what the problem is but I can't get past the welcome screen.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and oh, I am a she not a he, but I am sure that doesn't matter. LOL

 

Do you have the CD drive ahead of your hard drive in the boot order?
Sorry about the Gender switch. Went by your avatar.
Lots of that here.

 

hrlow, can you explain that in very simple terms? I am not a geek. I turned on the computer today and all it does is the windows screen, restarting thing over and over. I can't get it to stop.

 

When you start your machine, do you see anything that says "Press F-2 for Setup" or Press F-** for configuration"?
If so, try them to find a spot that allows you to change your boot order.(That is the order in which your machine looks for instructions.)
Then put your CD-ROM drive as the #1 spot.

 

Hrlow2-I can't send you a private message per Major Geek policy so I have to post publicly. I have the configuration screen open finally...The only thing that I see is not right is under the boot sequence. The CD rom isn't installed.

Is there something else I can do with this configuration screen? Or does that mean that my cd rom is shot???

 

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. I know it's a dimension but where will I find the model number?

Also, I muddled with the guts a few days before. I opened the computer and dusted. I pulled out the cd rom and dusted but I made sure 100% sure that I slid it back in the same slot.

I don't have the manual for the desktop. It was my son's before he moved out and in the process of packing and unpacking things, the manual is lost.

If there are easy steps for me to understand then I will follow the instructions to try and get it back running. Otherwise, I'll have to take into the shop when I get the extra money...which seems like never these days.

Thanks for all your help!!!

 

It's an 8200 Dimension Dell desktop Home xp

 

Ok, I have looked over the online documentation. The bios address is F8000h-is that what I put in before I punch F2? I can get F2 and F12 sometimes...When I bring up the utility and read boot sequence, it reads the CD rom isn't installed but it works fine. I can put the disc in and out-it just doesn't read it.

Is there something else I should do?? Like remove the cd rom and push it back in again? I am trying to do this on my own, so that from now on, I can do some of these things myself. But if I can't, I can take it in after the first of the month when we get $$( My husband is retired)

 

FYI, when they say "Enter" the BIOS, they are saying "access".
You just go to the page.

 

Let's see

The 8200 hase a 'case opened' switch which will prevent boot if the case is not shut properly.

Dusting may have disturbed the IDE jumpers on the drives.

Are you sure you re-connected the cables to the same places and pushed the connectors home properly?

I also think that as soon as you can get the thing to boot from a CD you should enter the recovery console and run check disk.

 

What I will do during the day light hours, is start from scratch. Make sure all the plugs are in and the pc is shut tight. Then I will run the F2, which I get sometimes. When I don't get that, the pc screen goes to blue restarting over, then the Windows XP welcome, then it recycles over and over. Thanks for all the responses.