Hardware Malfunction Results in System Error Message
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Article ID : 315223
Last Review : May 30, 2003
Revision : 1.0
This article was previously published under Q315223
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SYMPTOMS
CAUSE
RESOLUTION
Check the Memory
Solution
Check the Adapters
Solution
Check the Computer BIOS/Configuration
Solution
Check For Updated Drivers
STATUS
APPLIES TO
SYMPTOMS
During the Windows startup process, the computer may stop responding
(hang), and you may receive the following error message:
*** Hardware Malfunction
Call your hardware vendor for support
*** The system has halted ***
One of the following error messages may also be included:
NMI: Parity Check / Memory Parity Error
NMI: Channel Check / IOCHK
NMI: Fail-safe timer
NMI: Bus Timeout
NMI: Software NMI generated
NMI: Eisa IOCHKERR board x
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CAUSE
This behavior can occur if a hardware component malfunctions, or if
there are damaged or incompatible drivers installed.
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RESOLUTION
To try to resolve this behavior, use the following troubleshooting
techniques. Because Windows can display only basic error messages when
hardware malfunctions occur, troubleshooting can be difficult. Most
equipment problems center around the motherboard, the RAM on a
motherboard or on an adapter, or the cache memory on a motherboard or
on an adapter.
To troubleshoot basic hardware problems, try one or more of the following:
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Check the Memory
Remove any extra memory modules that are in the computer, leaving only
the least amount that is required for the computer to start and run
Windows. Restart the computer to see whether the error messages
persist.
If the error does not reappear, the issue is isolated to one or more
of the RAM modules that you removed from the computer. Continue to
remove and replace the minimum amount of RAM required, using the
memory modules that you removed. When the error returns, you have
isolated the individual memory module that is responsible for the
problem.
This process may require you to restart your computer several times to
pinpoint the specific memory module that is not working correctly.
Solution
Replace the defective RAM module.
Microsoft has released a software memory diagnostic tool, Windows
Memory Diagnostic. Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access
Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. To download this tool, visit
the following Microsoft Web site:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp (http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp)
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Check the Adapters
Remove any adapters that are not required to start the computer and
run Windows. In many cases, you can start your computer with only the
drive subsystem controller and the video adapter.
If the error message does not appear, one of the adapters that you
removed is the source of the problem. Reinstall each adapter
separately, restarting after each adapter is installed, to see whether
the error returns. If the error does not return after you reinsert all
of the adapters, it is possible that one of the adapter cards just
needed to be reseated. After your computer is running again, monitor
the computer to make sure that the error does not return.
Solution
If reseating the adapters does not solve the problem, replace the
adapter that is causing the error.
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Check the Computer BIOS/Configuration
Verify that you have installed the latest revisions for your
computer's BIOS or firmware configuration software. Go into the BIOS
and set load Fail-safe defaults or BIOS defaults, disable any
antivirus protection in the BIOS, and then set Plug and Play OS to No.
The type of hardware that your computer uses and the design of the
motherboard determine what part of your computer's firmware can
actually be updated. Various manufacturers provide diagnostic tools
for troubleshooting.
Solution
Update the BIOS, the firmware, and/or the EISA configuration.
If none of these procedures isolates or resolves the issue, the
problem can be narrowed down to the motherboard, drive subsystem
controller, hard drive, or the video adapter. Advanced RAID or other
caching controllers can have RAM, processor chips, or both that could
also be the problem. If the simplest configuration contains one of
these advanced adapters, resolving the problem may require use of
additional troubleshooting or diagnostic software, possibly using
duplicate hardware.
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Check For Updated Drivers
For additional information about updating drivers and managing devices
in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
283658 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283658/EN-US/) HOW TO: Manage
Devices in Windows XP
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STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft
products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
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APPLIES TO
? Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
? Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
? Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
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Keywords: kberrmsg kbhardware kbprb KB315223
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