can't boot windows 7; stuck at loading classPNP.sys

[wyory]

Hi,

My Windows 7 guests used to work, but about a year ago they stopped
working. When I boot in safe mode, the last message I see is "Loaded:
\Windows\system32\drivers\CLASSPNP.SYS". It hangs there indefinitely.

I searched around for this issue and a few posts suggest that it's
caused by an issue with the Windows AHCI driver (e.g.
https://www.chrisnewland.com/solved-windows-7-hang-on-boot-classpnpsys-64)

Any suggestions on how to get my Windows 7 guests back up and running?

Thank you.

-wyory