Solved BSOD while starting Windows 7 Ultimate

[pietronz]

Hey guys,

I for the last 9 hours I have been trying to get my computer to load up, but it won't work. It gets to the log in screen, then after about 15 seconds the BSOD comes up. I can only access my computer via safe mode. It won't let me run the DM Log Controller or SF Diagnostic Tool even under Run As Admin. I have an Alienware M17x, the error that came up in the BSOD was:

Machine_Check_Exception

Technical Info: *** STOP: 0x0000009C (0X0000000000000000, 0xFFFFF88003690C70, 0x0000000000000000, 0x0000000000000000)

Any help would be much appreciated! Cheers!
Pietro

 

[Arc]

Hi pietronz.

Stop 0x9C is Machine Check Exception. Mostly caused by failing hardware.

But as you can run the computer in safe mode (without the load of drivers) and not in normal mode (with drivers' load), it might be a device driver that is causing the issue.

In safe mode, free up the startup. Windows does not need any other program to auto start with it, but the auto start programs often conflicts and causes various problems including BSODs.

1. Click on the Start button
2. Type “msconfig (without quotes), click the resulting link. It will open the system configuration window, with the "general" tab selected.
   • Click the "startup" tab. Click "Disable all" > Apply > OK.Click on "services" tab.
   • Check the "Hide all Microsoft Services"; Click "Disable all" > Apply > OK
3. Accept then restart.

Then try to boot again normally. Is it failing still?

So remove the GPU. Run the computer with onboard graphics (display is the major difference between normal and safe mode). Does it boot to normal mode?

If still not, follow the broad step by step guide: http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lo...top-0x124-what-means-what-try.html#post354696
I am suggesting it to you because actually stop 0x9C is a variant of stop 0x124. Stop 0x124 includes stop 0x9C in its scope.

 

[pietronz]

Hi Arc,

Thanks for your detailed reply.

I did the first step disabling all the services & startup and the same problem occurs.

When you say to remove the GPU do you mean physically removing it or just disable it in safe mode some how?

Cheers,
Pietro

 

[Arc]

Let the GPU in, but unplug the display adapter from it. Connect the monitor with the motherboards display output (VGA or DVI etc as applicable in your case).

 

[pietronz]

This is a laptop, there is no monitor etc. or am I wrong? Dell Alienware m17x

 

[Arc]

Ah .... I missed that part.

I cannot verify the specs of Alienware m17x cause I am seeing only this message in dell's page.

View attachment 321840

But such a machine must have dual display.

Boot into the BIOS. Search for the display settings. Set the onboard graphics (Intel HD most probably) as the primary GPU and disable the dedicated GPU.
Then try to boot back.

I also see essenbe here. It will be our pleasure if we get his invaluable wise guidance. Please, Steve?

 

[pietronz]

M17x-R2

Intel Core i7 CPU Q 840 @ 1.87Ghz

8gb memory not sure if ddr2 or 3

Searching for display in bios now....

 

[pietronz]

Ok so I disabled the intel virtualisation technology and it SEEMS to works fine now, even at the high resolution it always had been running at. Bizzare! I suppose I need to update everything? I have never updated the bios etc on this thing either. Is that something to worry about?

 

[Arc]

As far as it is running fine, you need not to be worried about the BIOS update.

 

[pietronz]

Great thanks so much for your help!

 

[essenbe]

Are you still having problems? Are you sure all you did was disable Intel Virtualization? That really has nothing to do with graphics, as far as I am aware. It has to do with running virtual machines. However, if that resolved tour problems, then that is great, leave it that way.

 

[pietronz]

Good point. I just restarted the computer, enter bios and re enabled that setting. And it's starting fine now! Definitely didn't change anything else. I think what actually happened is all those disabled settings have actually somehow remembered to save and that made the difference

 

[essenbe]

If it works, that is OK, don't worry about it. But Virtualization is only for running Virtual Machines. I have mine enabled because I run 5 VM's, otherwise I would disable it. My philosophy is disable everything I don't use. That leaves fewer things to go wrong. However, I have another philosophy that supersedes that one. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.