Repeated Unexpected Shutdown BC Code 124

[Pacharan]

Hi,

I have a pc with following spec:
Windows Home 7 64 bit
Packard Bell ixtreme M5722
Intel(R)Core(TM)2 Quad CPU
RAM 6GB
160GB HD

It is a factory refurb ex-demo which came with windows 7 installed.

I originally got the machine in January with a 1TB HD plus NVidia GeForce graphics card. Using with USB wired mouse, wireless keyboard.

All was well for 10 days or so until it started having unexpected shutdowns. These increased to become full BSOD, occurring once or 2x daily. These events sometimes occur without warning although sometimes the mouse/keyboard goes sticky for up to an hour before problems occur.
The machine has been back to supplier where it failed to display any problems.
I have tried it without graphics card, tried disconnecting speakers, using with/without surge protected adaptors, tried different mouse/keyboard (wired and wireless).

Finally I tried my 1TB HD in another PC (same model as mine). Complete lockup of keyboard/mouse. Reinstalled on 160GB HD (all that was available to test) in the alternative PC, refused to work with wireless keyboard and mouse, ran fine for a week with USB wired devices. Swapped back to my original PC keeping 160GB HD, ran 2 days ok, now back to same BSOD message.

Before I call supplier (again) I would really appreciate it if someone could have a look at the event logs etc. I am confident I can get a full refund but having spent so much time trying to get the pc to work properly I would rather have a fix than have to start over again.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 124
BCP1: 0000000000000000
BCP2: FFFFFA8006ABF038
BCP3: 0000000000000000
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1

View attachment 204740

View attachment 204741

 

[usasma]

It's difficult to interpret STOP 0x124 errors with only 1 memory dump.

I'd suggest uninstalling Norton Internet Security using these instructions:

Anti-Virus Removal:
Please do the following:
- download a free antivirus for testing purposes: Free AntiVirus
- uninstall the Norton from your system (you can reinstall it, if so desired, when we're done troubleshooting)
- remove any remnants of Norton using this free tool: http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN
- IMMEDIATELY install and update the free antivirus, then check to ensure that the Windows Firewall is turned on.
- check to see if this fixes the BSOD's
NOTE: NEVER run more than 1 anti-virus, firewall, Internet Security/Security Center application at the same time.

If that doesn't fix it, then the next most likely problem is hardware. To start with, please run these free diagnostics: Hardware Diags


Further info on BSOD error messages available at: http://www.carrona.org/bsodindx.html

The following info is just FYI, I've already addressed the issues that I saw in the above paragraphs
3RD PARTY DRIVERS PRESENT IN THE DUMP FILES

[font=lucida console]
amdxata.sys  Fri Mar 19 12:18:18 2010 (4BA3A3CA)
SYMDS64.SYS  Mon May 16 18:15:03 2011 (4DD1A1E7)
SYMEFA64.SYS Tue Nov 22 19:49:28 2011 (4ECC4318)
[Color=Red]PxHlpa64.sys Wed Mar 12 21:58:17 2008 (47D88A39)[/Color]
[/font]

http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=amdxata.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SYMDS64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SYMEFA64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=PxHlpa64.sys

BSOD BUGCHECK SUMMARY

[font=lucida console]
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\FUBAR\_jcgriff2_\dbug\__Kernel__\032812-20373-01.dmp]
Built by: 7601.17727.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.111118-2330
Debug session time: Wed Mar 28 08:19:45.764 2012 (UTC - 4:00)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:00:12.232
Probably caused by : hardware
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x124_GenuineIntel
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT
PROCESS_NAME:  System
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x124_GenuineIntel_PROCESSOR_BUS_PRV
Bugcheck code 00000124
Arguments 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`06abf038 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
  
  [/font]

 

[Pacharan]

Sorry there was only one dump file, all the rest are on the other HD.
Many thanks for your suggestions, I will give it a go and let you know how I get on.

 

[Pacharan]

Ok, I uninstalled Norton and put on Avast instead.
Worked ok for a few hours.
Sadly, within 15 minutes of starting up today it shut down again.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 124
BCP1: 0000000000000000
BCP2: FFFFFA800648C8F8
BCP3: 0000000000000000
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1

I attach the dump files and latest perfmon report in the hope that these may shed more light on the problem. If anyone has any further thoughts I would be pleased for your input, in the meantime I am going to try the hardware diagnostics....

 

[usasma]

Interestingly, there are issues with your Media Card reader that weren't present with the last perfmon /report
Have you done anything with them recently?

I:\ WPDBUSENUMROOT\UMB\2&37C186B&1&STORAGE#VOLUME#_??_USBSTOR#DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_MICROSD&REV_1.00#7&1DA1C4EC&0&20060413092100000&4# Failure using the VxD loader.

H:\ WPDBUSENUMROOT\UMB\2&37C186B&1&STORAGE#VOLUME#_??_USBSTOR#DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_MS#MS-PRO#HG&REV_1.00#7&1DA1C4EC&0&20060413092100000&3# Failure using the VxD loader.

G:\ WPDBUSENUMROOT\UMB\2&37C186B&1&STORAGE#VOLUME#_??_USBSTOR#DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_SD#MMC&REV_1.00#7&1DA1C4EC&0&20060413092100000&2# Failure using the VxD loader.

E:\ WPDBUSENUMROOT\UMB\2&37C186B&1&STORAGE#VOLUME#_??_USBSTOR#DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_COMPACT_FLASH&REV_1.00#7&1DA1C4EC&0&20060413092100000&0# Failure using the VxD loader.

F:\ WPDBUSENUMROOT\UMB\2&37C186B&1&STORAGE#VOLUME#_??_USBSTOR#DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_XD-PICTURE&REV_1.00#7&1DA1C4EC&0&20060413092100000&1# Failure using the VxD loader.

The only other driver that might be causing issues is PxHlpa64.sys (it dates from 2008). I'd suggest uninstalling the older CD/DVD program that uses this. And, to be sure, check in C:\Windows\System32\drivers to be sure that PxHlpa64.sys is removed. If not, post back and we'll give instructions on how to safely remove it.

Beyond that, this is a hardware problem - with the first suspect being the Media Card reader. Disconnect it (if possible) and see if that helps. Check it's connections to the motheboard to ensure that it's properly seated. Make sure that noone has inserted anything damaging into the slots in the reader also.

After that, start with the free hardware diagnostics that I mentioned above.

Good luck!

Further info on BSOD error messages available at: http://www.carrona.org/bsodindx.html

The following info is just FYI, I've already addressed the issues that I saw in the above paragraphs
3RD PARTY DRIVERS PRESENT IN THE DUMP FILES

[font=lucida console]
amdxata.sys  Fri Mar 19 12:18:18 2010 (4BA3A3CA)
[Color=Red]PxHlpa64.sys Wed Mar 12 21:58:17 2008 (47D88A39)[/Color]
[/font]

http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=amdxata.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=PxHlpa64.sys

BSOD BUGCHECK SUMMARY

[font=lucida console]
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\FUBAR\_jcgriff2_\dbug\__Kernel__\032912-22573-01.dmp]
Built by: 7601.17727.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.111118-2330
Debug session time: Thu Mar 29 18:33:46.613 2012 (UTC - 4:00)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:00:09.080
Probably caused by : hardware
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x124_GenuineIntel
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT
PROCESS_NAME:  System
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x124_GenuineIntel_PROCESSOR_BUS_PRV
Bugcheck code 00000124
Arguments 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`0648c8f8 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
  
  [/font]

 

[Pacharan]

I saw all those media card warnings in the perfmon, it seems uninstalling Norton caused the problems. I think I fixed devices, certainly I have been able to upload some photographs tonight.
No luck yet getting rid of PxHlpa64.sys, any further instructions would be very helpful.
Thanks again for all your help so far.

 

[usasma]

OK, here's the "safe" way to get rid of PxHlpa64.sys
I really don't anticipate any problems with getting rid of it - but you'll be awfully vexed with me if it does cause problems and we don't take steps to prevent them:

- Make a System Repair Disc. Go to Start...All Programs...Maintenance...Create a System Repair Disc
- Test the System Repair Disc to make sure that you can access System Restore
- Set a System Restore point (so you have a recent point to go back to in case of a failure to boot)

Then, rename PxHlpa64.sys (in C:\Windows\System32\drivers) to PxHlpa64.BAD
Reboot.
If the system doesn't boot into Windows, then use the System Repair Disc to access System Restore and restore the system to it's previous state.

For further investigation, see what CD/DVD program that it broke (we don't need to know this for the BSOD stuff - but you may want to know it so you can uninstall this program).

 

[Pacharan]

Sorry for delay, college assignment took urgent priority yesterday.

I made and tested the system repair disc (took a while as PC didnt like the first 4 discs I used, insisted no media inserted).
Renamed file and rebooted. No need to use system repair disc.

DVD Drive no longer listed.

The TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-H553A ATA device is now showing yellow triangle and following message.
"Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)"

I am not sure which program I have broken, where would I be able to verify this?

 

[usasma]

Use the restore point and see if the CD/DVD drive is visible again.

 

[Pacharan]

Yes system restore brings back DVD drive. Sorry I already tested that, I was looking for something complicated to do and overlooking the simple answer...won't be the first time I have done that....
I have also previously tried uninstalling and reinstalling drivers for DVD, windows always autofinds the same one. I tried looking for manufacturer website but couldn't find anything for driver downloads.
Thanks once again for your help and patience.

 

[usasma]

Find the drivers for the DVD drive.
To do this, open Device Manager, right click on the DVD drive, select Properties, select Drive tab, select Driver details
See if PxHlpa64.sys is listed.

If it is, then we'll have to try disabling it to see if that works.
To do that:
- create another restore point
- open Autoruns (you used it when creating the initial reports)
- search for PxHlpa64.sys - and disable each entry by removing the checkmark from the left hand side of the entry.
- remember which one's you changed, just in case you have to change them back manually.
- reboot and see if that fixes things.
- check Driver Details again (after reboot) to see if PxHlpa64.sys is still listed
- if not, rename it to PxHlpa64.BAD
- if it is, post back and we'll see what else we can do.

 

[Pacharan]

Ok, I used autoruns to disable PxHlpa64.sys. That has knocked out the DVD drive again, PxHlpa64.sys still listed as a driver.

 

[usasma]

We're looking at Roxio, Sonic, Music Match Jukebox, or WinAmp
We're not looking at Nero - it doesn't use it.

At the bottom is (IMO) the most likely fix (the one with the "FixIt")

Here's an excellent article about removing this stuff: Uninstalling all files for Sonic Burning engine? - Winamp Forums
First, search your system for pxsetup.exe.
Then open a elevated (Run as administrator) Command Prompt and type:
the full path to pxsetup\pxsetup.exe /uninstall
See if that removes it.
If not, then follow the rest of the steps in the article

Nifty free tool here for getting more detail: busTRACE Filter Driver Load Order

Another way to remove the driver (actually it's filter entry in the registry): http://djlizard.net/2007/04/30/230/
Made for XP but should work with Win7. Make a system restore point just in case.

Simplest solution:
- set restore point
- rename pxhelp file
- make fixes in autoruns and in registry
- reboot and ensure that there's no CD drive showing
- run the "FixIt" in this KB article: Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs
(got it from this post: Upper Lower Filters in XP Registry )

 

[Pacharan]

Roxio, Sonic, Music Match Jukebox, or WinAmp - no obvious trace (to me) of any related files
Nero - now I can see that clearly, pity it's not the culprit!

I tried looking for pxsetup.exe - no trace

Read the filters article, I can see PxHlpa64 in class lower filters. Details tab in device manager gives no other filters to look at.

I am going to go with the simple solution, just to check I have understood it all:

Set restore point
Rename PxHlpa64.sys as PxHlpa64.BADDisable PxHlpa64.sys in Autorun
Delete any upper or lower filters relating to PxHlpa64 in registry
Reboot
Use FIXIT tool

If I have misunderstood anything please advise before I go blundering around in the registry....

 

[usasma]

That's the purpose of the System Restore point - if you "blunder", then you'll be able to fix it with System Restore! :0)

On second thought, maybe just set restore point, rename to .BAD and then run FixIt
Next try would be to set restore point, rename to .BAD, disable all in Autoruns, then run FixIt
Next try would be set restore point, rename to .BAD, disable all in Autoruns, then go blundering around in the registry, then run FixIt

 

[Pacharan]

Sorry to be so hesitant about rummaging in the registry, I hate breaking things I can't fix with a set of pliers etc...

I have tried option 1 and so far looks like the DVD drive is restored with the pesky PxHlpa64.sys gone. The FixIt tool actually detected problem with the driver filters for the first time. I am going to test the DVD drive a little more to check that it is working properly and will wait to see if the pc crashes again.

Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate all the time you have spent on this.

 

[usasma]

No problem with being reticent to muck about in the registry.
But, it's OK if you can:
- make a copy (with System Restore)
- and know how to revert back (using System Restore from the System Repair Disk)