BSOD hal.dll, ntoskrnl.exe pci.sys

Wait for the other members to comment, but generally if your machine asks you to repair on startup, it's advisable to do so. I say wait for others, because they have given you previous direction and I don't want you to take action before they have a chance to determine how it woul affect what they are suggesting.

Good news on the Firewall, BTW

Biil

sabbyblue said:

I did trap this morning. It may have been because i was moving the computer slightly while it was rebooting.

I have a question. When i get the black screen with white lettering that recommends startup repair, should i select that? I have avoided it because of all the changes I have been making. I don't know that going back to a restore point will help and I won't know which restore point it will use.

Welcome aboard, almondman. The things you pointed out in the event log are appropriate. Just appropriate. I want to add one more point ......

Code:

Source: Microsoft-Windows-WHEA-Logger

In my best opinion, you cannot make anything in case of WHEA without dealing with hardware.
WHEA - Windows Hardware Error Architecture

And, which part of hardware is in fault is very clear.

Code:

A corrected hardware error has occurred.
Component: PCI Express Root Port
Error Source: Advanced Error Reporting (PCI Express)
Bus:Device:Function: 0x0:0x0:0x0
Vendor ID:Device ID: 0x8086:0x3405
 (From oem83.inf)---PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3405.DeviceDesc="Intel(R) 
 5520/5500/X58 I/O Hub to ESI Port - 3405)
Class Code: 0x30000

If this is not altered, errors should continue. Me and XBlueRobot tried to point it out even earlier, and now you. Hope our point will be noted :)

In general, a proper guide to troubleshoot stop 0x124 is Stop 0x124 - what it means and what to try .... that is also provided by XBlueRobot much earlier. And, as per his opinion, this machins should be within warranty (I haven't checked that part), so all the benefit may be taken.

It is nothing but a hardware error, and comparatively easier than the other stop 0x124 issues as it is apparently clear which component of hardware is in problem.

sabbyblue said:

At that time I will mention the PCIe, etc. In my past experiences, they do these remote hardware checks that always say things are fine and then say reinstall Wndows 7.

That's not good As a try, you may use a USB adapter and remove the inbuilt, just to make it sure that it is the net card that is causing the issue.

Yes, time will tell. They only recently added the question (past 6 months or so) - maybe users complained and they stopped asking.

sabbyblue said:

Bill, thank you so much! Malwarebytes is downloaded and scanning now. I wasn't asked about trial so i may have selected it incorrectly. time will tell.

Regarding Dell: sometimes you have to push them a little harder. Their job is to try and fix things at the lowest cost (meaning you do the work). Your job should be to get any manufacturer to fix their product. I think you have enough information to request that they stop telling you to re-install windows and that they address the hardware issue. If what almondman says about XP running 32 bit drivers pans out, then either the hardware or the driver has problems on Windows 7 64 bit. Either way - this isn't your issue, it's Dell's issue.

It sounds as though you've lived with this problem for quite a while and I think you've made every effort to resolve it. Don't you think Dell owns part of this problem? Maybe I'm wrong. I've worked with HP on issues with my machines and sure, they want you to do all the standard troubleshooting first before they issue an RMA, that's to be expected. But after all the steps have been exhausted, it's time for the OEM to address the issue. That's what warranties are for. Just be sure to back up your data because no OEM that I know of will guarantee that you get it back if you ship a box in. They might replace the HD or wipe it in testing.

I just went back to post #1 and this thread started in mid Nov. There were a few posts that caught my attention. Preserving your data and trying a new HD. Sure, try a new HD - same type and size that's in there now, install Windows on it if that's what it takes for Dell to own up, and send the box back with the new drive in it.

Your data is on the drive you removed in pristine format - as it was originally... because it is the original. The price of admission is the price of the drive + your time. You can either buy an external USB enclosure for the drive so you can get to the data or plug the drive in the machine when it returns fixed from Dell (I would opt for the former - the enclosure)

Bill

Of course there was no crash.... the machine "senses" that's about to be returned to factory. :)

I wouldn't spend money on an extended warranty - the machine has problems they should fix it under the existing warranty and then extend your warranty on the parts fixed. Again, sometimes you have to push a little harder - make the request a few times that Dell extends the warranty for you - normally an OEM will, but not at first.

Language does get in the way, just take your time and ask the person on the other end to do the same. I had to suffer thorugh HP's request to run this test or that test, even though I told them I already ran it and there were problems. They have a job to do and steps that they have to take before giving you what you want. The easiest thing is to say "Sure, I'll run that but I've already done it - I understand that you have your job to do" - it's the easiest, but longest too. Taking this appraoch - when you get to the supervisor level everything goes extremely fast - they're happy that thier support person didtheir job and their happy to give you what you want. Praise goes a long way - telling the super that the person on the phone did their job well - well, you can almost get anything after that.

There is a shortcut if you've already spoken to Dell about this issue - ask to speak with a supervisor when the agent first answers the phone, then explain the issue with your machine, the steps you've taken and how many times you've contacted Dell without resolving the issue, let them know how long this has been going on and how long you have left on your waranty.

Good luck,

Bill

Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year

sabbyblue said:

Thank you for that supportive comment, Bill. It will give me the confidence to deal with them. I wish I could speak to a support tech that speaks better English. I think they lose stuff in the translation (or maybe that is what they are supposed to do).

I will make time tonight. And not one more crash today! very strange.