The specific error is:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
…
Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x0000007E (0xFFFFFFFFC0000005, 0xFFFFF800020393AA, 0xFFFFFA60021EE7D8, 0xFFFFFA60021EE1b0)

So far, we have found two methods to fix this problem.  Try the first method (using Safe Mode), and if that doesn’t work try the second method (using System Restore).

Method 1 (Safe Mode)

Step 1: Restart your computer and continuously tap the F8 key while it is restarting.  You will eventually see the ‘Advanced Boot Options’ screen, where you need to select the Safe Mode option.

Step 2: Click the Start Menu and type Programs and Features in the search box.  Press enter when the Programs and Features option is selected.

Step 3: Select View installed updates in the top left of the window.

Step 4: Locate Update for Microsoft Windows (KB973879) in the list of updates.  You can sort by name for easier searching by clicking the Name column.  Click Uninstall at the top of the list.

Step 5: Click Restart Now.  Your computer should now function properly.  If not, try Method 2 below.

Method 2 (System Restore)

Step 1: Restart your computer and continuously tap the F8 key while it is restarting.  You will eventually see the ‘Advanced Boot Options’ screen, where you need to select the Repair Your Computer option.

Step 2: Select your keyboard layout, which will typically be ‘US’.

Step 3: Enter your username and password.  If you have no password, just click OK.

Step 4: Click System Restore in the System Recovery Options menu.  This may take a few minutes to launch so be patient.

Step 5: When the System Restore window opens, click Next.  Select the most recent system backup and click Next.

Step 6: Make sure your main drive is selected (most likely C:) and click Next.  Click Finish in the next screen.  Click Yes to the warning dialog.

Step 7: When the restore has finished, you shoud receive a successful completion message.  Click the Restart button.

Step 8: When your computer  has restarted, click the Start Menu and type Programs and Features in the search box.  Press enter when the Programs and Features option is selected.

Step 9: Select View installed updates in the top left of the window.

Step 10: Locate Update for Microsoft Windows (KB973879) in the list of updates.  You can sort by name for easier searching by clicking the Name column.  Click Uninstall at the top of the list.

Step 11: Click Restart Now.  Your computer should now function properly.

Have you experienced this problem?  Tell us about it (including the model of computer you have) in the comments.

The post Fix: Windows Vista 64-bit Gets Blue Screen After Windows Updates first appeared on Techerator.

• 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of RAM (32-bit)/2 GB of RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit)/20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 or higher driver

Even though many recently purchased (or built) computers should be able to handle Windows 7, there is an easy way to check your system’s compatibility.  Microsoft has released a beta version of their Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor which will analyze your PC’s memory, processor, graphics capabilities, and can even identify known compatibility issues with current software and hardware.

To begin, download and install the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor tool.  When you run the program, be sure to plug in any devices you own so the program can check their compatibility as well.

Once the Advisor tool has scanned your system, you will be given a simple list of results for your system requirements, devices, and programs.  The Advisor tool will even make recommendations to fix any warnings you may have.

If you’d like to view more detailed results about your system’s compatibility (including hardware specifications), click the “See all system requirements” link.

One problem I noticed with the Advisor is that it ignores overclocked CPUs (failing to display my overclocked 2.13 GHz processor at its current 3.20 GHz).  While the minimum requirement for Windows 7 is only 1 GHz, this is still something to consider if you are using an overclocked PC.  Another thing to note is that while Windows Vista users can perform an “in-place upgrade” to Windows 7, Windows XP users will be forced to do a clean install of the new operating system.

Are you considering upgrading to Windows 7 when it releases?  Thinking about upgrading your computer before taking the leap?  Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

The post How To: Find Out if Your PC is Windows 7 Ready first appeared on Techerator.