If the boot device [hard drive] is inaccessable, then obviously something in between the OS and the hard drive is inaccessable, which leaves the IDE controller.<P>This is why I recommended booting ...

My system has had frequent random lockups for some time, so my last resort was reinstalling Win2k. Before I installed anything on it, it locked up and has locked up with the same frequency ever since.

If you see a Stop Error – 0x7B INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE after applying Windows Updates on your Windows 11/10/8/7 system, know that it is the result of the boot ...