Posted on 07/29/2012 1:25:08 PM PDT by trussell
Wimfsf.sys is the Windows Image Media Filesystem driver. It used by the WinPE (Windows Pre-execution Environment) to unpack the actual Windows files for copy to \Windows.
Stop 0x50 is PAGE_FAULT_IN_NON_PAGED_AREA.
Something went sideways very early in the Windows installation/repair process. The DVD disc might be damaged. See http://forums.techguy.org/windows-7/1004922-solved-installing-windows-7-blank.html
Very early errors like this are also commonly due to hardware problems, like a bad memory DIMM.
Try using a different install disc. Also try running a bootable memory diagnostic like MemTest86.
http://www.frys.com/product/5466019?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
This is a tool I have that will let connect most drives to a computer as a usb device.
Many laptops have build in diags for hd and memory. You get to these by press a key when the computer is first turned on. Some dells it is the esc or F9 .
Take heart, all your files are probably safe on your hard drive! At worse you’ll just have to get help getting to it.
BTW I looked up at Dell and they suggest:
“ If the error happens during the startup process, try booting to the Last Known Good Configuration. “
I don’t know if you’ve ever gotten that option.
Good luck.
This is kind of post-barn-door-closing, but get a bunch of DVD’s (or invest in a high-speed cord & backup device) and back up everything. I just did this a few weekends ago and took about 25 DVDs: cost = $30 bucks and a rainy weekend.
Set up a restore point & backup disc.
Buy & keep updated some firewall, virus, trojan, ad-aware, etc. software (there’s plenty of free stuff at cnet).
Good luck
I’m learning a lot from the people who are answering your request, because I am unfamiliar with the current generation of laptops. I had one three years ago. I dropped it once, and that killed it completely. Shattered something inside it, and turned it into expensive junk. But when it comes to desktops (Compaq Windows 7), I know that you can click F11 repeatedly for about 20 seconds, and that usually clears up blue-screen problems. And when you do get your computer up and running, you need to go to the Control Panel and uninstall as many unnecessary programs as possible. There are programs in there that you don’t need and don’t even know are there, and some of them have viruses, trojans, and unwanted cookies.
“The last Windows that would boot to a prompt was Win 98SE.”
LOL. You are so wrong. All Windows versions can boot to command prompt. Here is example for Vista (see method 2): http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html
Trussell, pop ‘em in and see what happens. What have you got to lose? When you buy a new computer, it comes with an on-screen tutorial that shows you how to burn a restore disc with a blank dvd. And you can get 10 blank dvd’s for five bucks at WalMart or the Dollar Store. Chances are, you’ve found the restore discs. Try it.
I think you are mixing up booting, and switching to.
If windows is down, you cannot get to a dos prompt in anything since 98. (although you can use various universal recovery disks)
Rule #1: Always protect your data.
You can always reinstall software or replace hardware.
I get NO options when I turn on the computer. If I try to boot in safe mode, it ignores that command and loads up the BSOD
I already did...with no results. The disc was ignored and the computer still loaded the blue screen error message.
You really don’t know Windows. 1) You can boot to a command prompt in safe mode if the system goes into automatic recovery mode; 2) you can boot to c:\ from a boot disk or the installation disk; 3) you can set up boot options ahead of time to allow you to boot to c:\ any time you restart; 4) you can access a c:\ prompt in safe mode by logging on as another user; and 5) you can go to a command line from a system window. The last 2 require being in windows, but the first 3 can be done when you are cold booting or windows in not accessible.
Can you get to a bios screen? If you can, check to see if your hard drive is listed there. Also change the boot order in the bios so you boot off of the CD/DVD drive first. This may allow you to boot up off the disc.
The error is coming during the earliest part of the repair/install process. The faulting module (Wimfsf.sys) is not installed in C:\Windows as far as I know, unless you are running the Windows Automated Installation Kit [WAIK], which is used only by experts doing automated Windows deployment.
Check for a bad memory DIMM. Try booting and running the built-in memory diagnostic on the install disc. See http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winre/repairmemorydiags/
If you have bad memory and you can’t fix it (some laptops have physically soldered DIMMs), then recovery of your date may require the physical removal of your hard disk from the laptop. You don’t want copy files through bad memory as it might corrupt your files during the transfer process.
As long as the HDD isn’t physically damaged it should very easy to recover your files. Take your laptop to someone you trust who knows how to remove the HDD from the laptop to recover your data for you. Try Geek Squad.. other Freepers can probably recommend other places. Or find a tech friend who can insert the HDD into an external USB enclosure (typical cost $29-$39) that you can plug into another PC.
At the One Time Boot menu, press the Down arrow key to highlight Diagnostics, then press Enter to begin PSA.
Write down any error codes listed.
Use the list provided in the next section to see what the error code means... "
I haven’t any idea how to get to a bios screen. I’ve tried to boot to safe mode, safe mode with command prompt, and “repair your computer”. All of these commands were ignored
Running the diagnostics now...
Back when it’s done with the results
Error code 0142
Msg: error code 2000-0142
Msg: Hard Drive 0 - self test unsuccessful. Status: 79
The given error code and message can be used by Dell Technical support to help diagnose the problem. Do you want to continue testing?
One thing I didn’t think to mention.
The computer has (3 times in the past), made me reseat the hard drive. I tried that yesterday with no change.
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