When upgrading my AlienWare Laptop to WINxpSP2 I get a
MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION STOP: 0x0000009c (0x00000000, 0x8054DA70,
0xA2000000, 0x8C010400 error code and must use system restore to get
computer working again.  Manufacturer says prob caused by SP2.  MS
says prob on laptop.  My laptop has all the latest upgrades from
AlienWare and since I don't know what this code means and neither MS
or AlienWare will explain it to me, I have to go without upgrading.  I
upgraded 3 other computers I have without a hitch now this happens. 
When I do the upgrade it says successful and has to reboot.  When
reboots it get almost to the desktop when this blue screen pops up and
the comp freezes.  When I restart it again the same thing happens. 
I've made 6 uncessful attempts at upgrading to winXP Service pack 2
and had to return all of them using system restore in order for the
computer to work again.
any ideas on what to do ?

Thanx 
Steve

i've encountered a few laptops that couldn't handle the sp2
installation with more than 128 mgb ram. if u have more than that -
try taking out some memory modules and installing xpsp2 and then put
the memory back.

hope this help,

amok69

Determine the precise processor your computer has, right down to the details
of L2 cache, stepping and revision values.
The Alienware website mentions Intel for their current laptops.

  
If you cannot boot then get Alienware support to run the following
Intel utility for your exact machine if they have a unit onhand.
It is designed to detect and differentiate among the plethora of Pentium variants.

http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/frequencyid/sb/CS-007623.htm

njnyposp-ga, 

I have also encountered this problem on a few HP desktops.    I
contacted Microsoft via their free SP2 hotline and the very friendly
tech support guy stated this is usually caused by spyware or viruses. 
The PC's I encountered with this problem tested clean by all the
popular removal programs including the latest versions of SPYBOT &
AD-AWARE.  Norton and AVG found no viruses. I then formatted the HDD
and used the factory recovery CD's to re-install the OS.  Without
doing anything else I attempted to install SP2 from Microsoft's CD &
Windows update. The same error occurred with both methods. The only
thing in common with all of these machines is they have HP's
"doctored" version of XP installed on them.  I would suggest holding
out for a fix from Microsoft.  You can contact Microsoft and get
information from the SP2 support group by calling 1-888-SP2-HELP
(1-772-4357).

Try using the full SP2 download to update your system.  I have had to
use that over half the time.

This is the link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

Note it's 266 MB!

I´ve had exactly the same problem with my packardbell notebook ( the
same errorcode on the bluescreen) - and now it is solved!

That is what i´ve done: BIOS update!
I´ve seen on the german alienware web site that they offered a bios
update for some of their nootebooks. Maybe yours as well...?
I hope this is helpful for you to fix your computer.

good luck from rainy berlin...