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General discussion

PCI Adapter Card = BSOD??

Oct 16, 2004 3:52AM PDT

I'm trying to connect my new Dell Dimension 8400 (3.0Ghz/512Mb/XPsp1) to my home wireless network. I installed two diiferent PCI adapter cards in my one available PCI slot -- an older D-Link (11b) and a brand new Netgear (11g) (which Dell Sales assured me is compatible). Both cards detected my Netgear wireless router and provided an excellent internet connection, so I'm assuming they were seated properly. The problem is that every time I shut down the system I get the blue screen of death with the following message:

Hardware Malfunction
NMI: Parity Check/Memory Parity Error
The System has halted

The system runs and shuts down perfectly when the PCI cards are removed. D-Link and Netgear Support technicians told me I have to contact Dell, but Dell Support doesn't seem to have an answer for me. Has anyone else had this problem, or better yet a solution? Anyone know which wireless PCI adapter cards are truly compatible with Dell hardware? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Re: PCI Adapter Card = BSOD??
Oct 16, 2004 4:11AM PDT

In short,

1. http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6122-0.html?forumID=44&threadID=36495&messageID=425819&tag=srch

You need to dive into the Event Viewer and find what's up.

2. Many owners don't have current BIOS, drivers and more. They rely on Microsoft's Windows Update or Driver Update buttons. What do you do about this?

3. Spyware. My bet is that your machine has some. What do you do about it?

I'm sure you'll fix it, but the list has to be worked since the cause is somewhere in items 1, 2 or 3 and why Dell has no clue.

Bob

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Re: PCI Adapter Card = BSOD??
Oct 18, 2004 9:21AM PDT

Thanks for the reply. The computer is brand new, out of the box so spyware shouldn't be an issue, and I can't believe the BIOS would be outdated already. I think Dell is just pushing machines that aren't compatible with wireless adapter cards. Anyway, I decided to compromise and use a USB adapter. Not as fast but so much easier!

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Re: PCI Adapter Card = BSOD??
Nov 5, 2004 1:15AM PST

Hi,

I just bought a Dell dimension 8400. I installed a wireless PCI card (D-Link G520+) in it, and receive the same blue screen when the machine shuts down.

D-link points to Dell. First line support of Dell has no clue. I am awaiting results of escalation within Dell.

Any feedback of users having same problem would be welcome.

Hedi

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For Heidi,
Nov 5, 2004 1:20AM PST

The same issues can apply and looking in the Event Viewer reveals the cause about 1/2 the time.

Bob

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Re: For Heidi,
Nov 5, 2004 1:35AM PST

Hi Bob,

2 and 3 are likely not applicable: the problem happened just after unpacking the machine, without having time to get spyware from internet.

For what concerns bios/drivers, the support of both Dell and D-Link checked this up, I have all latest releases (new machine, new card).

So I go for 1) searching in the event - but no sure what I am suppose to look for.

Kind regards

Hedi

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About Events...
Nov 5, 2004 2:44AM PST
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Re: About Events...
Nov 5, 2004 9:43PM PST

Hi Bob,

I went back to the store and changed the DLW520+ for the DLW520 extreme(they have 2 different chipsets).
This one is working fine - no blue screen anymore when shutdowning.

Thanks for the help.

Kind regards

Hedi