How to Troubleshoot Windows Vista Error 0x0000007B

This post provides how to Stop error messages 0x0000007B that may occur when you try to install Windows Vista

A "Stop: 0x0000007B" error message indicates that Windows Vista or Windows Vista Setup cannot access the hard disk that contains the Windows Vista startup files. Typically, this Stop error occurs when Windows Vista cannot locate a compatible driver for the disk controller device. For example, this Stop error can occur if Windows Vista cannot locate a compatible driver for a RAID controller.

You may also receive this error message if one or more of the following conditions are true:
? The hard disk is faulty.
? The hard disk cabling is faulty, or the hard disk cabling is not connected correctly.
? The computer is infected with a boot sector virus.
? The computer BIOS or the disk controller firmware are incompatible with Windows Vista.
? Another program is using the master boot record.

If you receive this Stop error message during a clean install of Windows Vista, it typically means that Windows Vista does not include a compatible driver for the disk controller device. To resolve this issue, you must provide a compatible driver during the installation of Windows Vista. To do this, follow these steps:
1. On another computer or in a dual-boot configuration, download a compatible driver for the disk controller device.
2. Save the driver that you downloaded to an optical disk or to a removable USB drive.

Note If you are running a dual-boot configuration, you can also save the driver to a local hard disk.
3. Start the Windows Vista Setup from the Windows Vista DVD.
4. When you are prompted to select the disk on which to install Window Vista, select the Load Driver option.
5. Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the installation.

If you receive this Stop error message when you try to upgrade to Windows Vista, it also typically means that Windows Vista does not include a compatible driver for the disk controller device. However, it also means that the driver that was used in the previous operating system is incompatible with Windows Vista. Therefore, the driver cannot be reassembled and migrated for use in Windows Vista.

If you receive this Stop error message when Windows Vista tries to restart during Windows Vista Setup, follow these steps:
1. Restart the computer.
2. Roll back the installation to the previous operating system.
3. Check with the disk controller manufacturer for information about the issue. If no additional information is available, download and install the most recent driver that is available.
4. Try to upgrade to Windows Vista again.

Note If the issue persists, perform a clean installation of Windows Vista, and use the Load Driver option.