Echy wrote:
> Hello
>
> I have encountered an "Inaccessible Boot Device" stop error 0x0000007B
> on my desktop computer. The computer (in normal & safe mode) will not
> progress past the blue stop screen.
>
> It is an Acer PIII computer with Windows 2000 and was running fine
> with no warning signs of this impending problem. I have current data
> back ups thankfully.I run up-to-date anti virus software and Ad-Aware,
> Spybot, CCleaner, SpywareBlaster.
>
> I have not installed anything new in the way of hardware or software. I
> have checked that all cables are tightly connected & have used a boot
> floppy disk to run chkdsk & scandisk. When I run scandisk it says all
> is OK but it cannot be checking anything I don't think as it finishes
> in two seconds. Same for Chkdsk.
>
> I also managed to borrow a working hard disk with an operating system
> etc on it, disconnected my drive and connected this one. I get exactly
> thesame error message ??
>
> Wondering if there a definitive help source or if anyone can offer any
> thoughts on the problem.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
>
> Echy

Thanks very much for the replies to date. To clarify a few things:-

- the operating system on both HDD's is Windows 2000 Pro SP4 both with
up to date
patches/updates.

- both have NTFS partitioning

- the programs I mentioned that I use, were routinely run before the
error message
started.

- the borrowed HDD is jumpered as a single drive

- the borrowed HDD was not a clean install at the time of me borrowing
it. It already
had Win 2000 on it & a few programs. It is from my friend's spare
computer, rarely
used, but operating perfectly on that computer.

Re the comment "If win2k is on an NTFS partition you cannot run
scandisk or chkdsk from a floppy... so all you checked was the floppy
itself". That would explain why it took so little time.

Not having ever run a repair/chkdsk /r before, could something be
clarified so I avoid a mistake. I have booted from the original Windows
CD and have the options:-
- To set up Windows 2000 now, press ENTER
- To repair a Windows 2000 installation, press R
- to quit ..... etc

..... what should I do next?

Thanks again to everyone and your further help would be greatly
appreciated.

Echy