BSOD: STOP: 0x00000124

Darksider94 · 23 Aug 2011

The extended test just finished and it passed.

Edit: I just tried to reinstall windows 7 and the machine got a bsod partway through installation. It will now not startup. It goes to the windows repair tool, but cannot fix itself because windows itself is now damaged. This ultimately proves that it is a hardware issue hats causing the bsod.
I've tried to reinstall 3 times now and restore once, but I keep getting a bsod partway through.

I am going to call Dell again and tell them they need to replace whateve part that is obviously damaged.

So, you think it's the processor?

Edit2: now it says it's missing the operating system.... Only option from here is to keep trying to reinstall windows in the meantime.

Edit3: Just finished talking with Dell again. They first told me it was because of software still(lol) because I hadn't partitioned the drives before I tried installing it. Then they said because I had an upgrade disc and not a full disc(Even though it has the option for a blank install).
Then, they told me to try reinstalling Vista again and then going to 7 after I partitioned it from the Vista install disc. Still got a BSOD in the middle of that install.
She then got all confused because she kept saying that the error code(The same exact one i've been posting here) is supposed to be for a video driver problem.
Now, a technician is being sent with a new HDD with Vista preinstalled to solve the problem. I HIGHLY doubt it's the HDD anyway considering how many tests we've run just on that.
I bet that I'm still gonna get a BSOD anyway.

Dave76 · 24 Aug 2011

Your CPU is overheating.

Replace the thermal paste between the CPU and the cooler.
Read the links in post #32.

If you're not comfortable doing that, get Dell to do it when they bring the new HDD.

This will likely solve the BSoD issues.

Error codes don't exactly point to one specific thing that will fix a computer, they tell you what failed and caused an issue.
An overheating CPU can give many different errors, you need to narrow down the possible causes.
Running these hardware tests is how you can narrow it down and find the cause.

The high temps you have reported point to the CPU being the number one likely cause.

To prevent serious or further damage to your CPU you should remove the CPU cooler, clean both CPU and cooler contact area, re-apply the thermal paste, then re-install the CPU cooler.
You should do this before running your computer again, running it in this condition can permanently damage your CPU and possibly the motherboard and RAM.

My recommendation is: Do not start the computer again until the CPU thermal paste is re-applied.

Darksider94 · 01 Sep 2011

Story time

I will now explain what's occurred with Dell from the last time I posted up to 5 minutes ago.

1st Tech - Day 1: He came with the HDD, in the middle of Windows preparing on that HDD, there was the same BSOD. Shocker. He tried reinstalling, reinstalling with 1 stick of RAM, ran tests, etc. Nothing would work and he couldn't figure out the problem. He talked to Dell and they FINALLY said that it was a hardware issue. He said that Dell would be sending out a new motherboard(Which i still knew wouldn't fix it, b/c as we know, it's the processor).

2nd Tech - Day 2: A new tech comes. He replaces the motherboard. Same BSOD when trying to reinstall windows(At this point, there's no good version of windows on the machine b/c it can't even be installed because of the BSODs). He tests each RAM, nothing fixes the BSOD. He spends a total of 3 hours here(Because of Dell taking FOREVER to respond and him having to test each RAM stick and in different combinations). Dell says they'll send ANOTHER motherboard AND a new video card.

2nd Tech - Day 3: This is today. The same tech from last time comes. He replaces the motherboard and video card. BSOD. He was able to do that within the first 30-45 minutes of being here. We then had to wait another 45 minutes for Dell to make a decision on what to do next. The rep has been trying to convince them since the last visit to either replace the CPU or just replace the machine, but no, good ol' Dell likes to be stubborn. They don't want to just fix the problem. Now, they made the decision to replace the optical drives.... Wtf.....

The first and second tech that came BOTH have just suggested to the reps to replace the CPU or the machine as a whole. They said that usually after the first 3 visits, Dell will finally decide to replace the machine, but no, not this time. I'm getting new optical drives instead. Let's hope they come to their senses after the 4th visit.

The techs have been great. Dell phone support on the other hand, not so much.

Edit: Also, I'm pretty sure each day they've come, they've been cleaning and replacing the thermal paste. I've seen them applying an alcohol swab to an area and then using a little syringe to apply something to a surface and then place what appears to be the CPU cooler back onto it.

Dave76 · 02 Sep 2011

Glad to hear you're getting progress from Dell on the issue, not a resolution yet but progress none the less.

Your 'Edit' is the procedure of re-applying the CPU thermal paste, it is very good that they have done this a few times.
Seemingly unrelated hardware can sometimes cause issues with other hardware, strange but I have seen it happen.

In your situation it would be easy to test, completely disconnect the optical drive, install Windows 7 with a USB memory stick, if no BSoD then hardware issue identified, maybe...

Installing Vista and then upgrading to Windows 7 is not the best way to do it, a clean install is always better.
It's acceptable to MS to do this, infact that is why there is that option, if a MS customer wants/needs to re-install they don't have to go through the extra step of installing Vista again.
The worse case scenario is that you will have to provide MS with the original Vista key, they may want to verify that it is not being used.
An upgrade version of Windows 7 only needs to have a previous version of Vista or XP, and that key can't be used on another computer.

If this was my computer, I would insist on a clean install. It is also much faster to install than an upgrade install, which can take hours.

Let us know the results.

Darksider94 · 07 Sep 2011

Another tech just came by today.

Optical drive and motherboard didn't work. I know.. motherboard again..... lol

Now they FINALLY said that they're going to send a CPU AND another motherboard. I don't know what's with them and motherboards....
BUT, my dad finally called today and complained and now they're just going to be sending a replacement computer. That will definitely fix the problem, lol.

Glad you've been here to help. It looks like my issue is going to be solved, lol.

Dave76 · 08 Sep 2011

That's good news, too bad it took them so long.

Let us know how the new computer is running.

Zignack · 12 Nov 2012

I've been searching for the exact same error cuz i've been dealing with it for a week now. I also ran alot of the tests posted around this error. Found out that it was 0.5 cm of compressed dust underneath the CPU Fan.

Even though i only had around 50 degrease celcius on the cpu when running the tests it got "over-the-top" when having multible things running (so when i didn't monitor or kept my eyes on the temp it got too high. lol). Usually when running 2 games at the same time. One of them is an mmo so when i idle or afk in that game i'd start up the other game.

Just thought you should know in case someone could fix the problem by cleaning the fans. Cuz it comes up with 0x00000124 and one 0x0000000135 also when the BSOD appears

jesselivengood · 07 Jun 2013

Actually a 124 stop is a loopback in video, which is why it fails under hard video usage.
loop

mem>cpu command function>bus driver>card>translation. serial loopback verify..

in this process there was an error which returned a dump and 124 error. if your video is internal its the mother board. if external, remove video card and reseat. also check fan functions and card being dirty. if all passes. replace video. if build in replace motherboard... FIXED

i know this is an older post. better late than never. hardly EVER will a cpu alone throw this code. if you get a 0x0000000a along with this then surely a video translation problem..

**cluberti** · 07 Jun 2013

Actually, a stop 0x124 is the CPU telling Windows there was an uncorrectable hardware error presented to it by the motherboard or something attached, and the error code in the dump tells you where the problem is (hence the code WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR). While it can be video, more often than not those start as TDR watchdog errors (0x116 stop errors). Most boxes that display 0x124s generally trace back to CPU cache failing, or corrupt hardware causing bit errors, etc. Video can be a 0x124, but with Win7 and Win8 and further, there are specific video bugcheck codes (like 0x113 and 0x116) that denote a driver or hardware problem on the video bus now.