Your error is 0x124: WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR and is described as "A fatal hardware error has occurred."
This error code and definition has replaced the older XP code 0x9C: MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION and though it is older the definition still is applicable:
This is a hardware issue: an unrecoverable hardware error has occurred. The parameters have different meanings depending on what type of CPU you have but, while diagnostic, rarely lead to a clear solution. Most commonly it results from overheating, from failed hardware (RAM, CPU, hardware bus, power supply, etc.), or from pushing hardware beyond its capabilities (e.g., overclocking a CPU).
Honestly, this is a
very difficult error to work with because as it says a clear diagnosis rarely comes forth and I have never seen a minidump with either error codes give a definitive answer. I know IT techs that don't like working with it. What makes it so difficult is that it can be any hardware in your system -- and I mean
any. Your dump simply cited hardware as the issue and nothing more definitive.
Here are some of the causes that were determined to be the source of 0x124/0x9C errors from posters here and abroad: NIC, DVD/CD drives, dust build up around the CPU that caused overheating of said CPU, bulging capacitors hidden by heatsink, video card, psu, motherboard, and external harddrive connected by USB.
Let's start doing some proactive diagnostics by running memtest on your memory.
1. Go to
www.memtest.org and download the latest ISO version which is 4.20. It is free and perfectly safe.
2. Burn ISO to a CD.
3. Place CD in your drive and reboot with CD in drive. (You might have to place your drive as first bootable in your BIOS) The test will take over.
There is a Tutorial:
How to use Memtest in our Guides and Tutorials forum; follow the instructions. There is a newer version than what is listed; use the newer. If you need to see what the Memtest screen looks like go to reply #21. The third screen is the Memtest screen.
Step1 - Let it run for a
LONG time. The rule is a
minimum of 7 Passes (not hours; this test is not measured by hours);
the more Passes after 7 so much the better. The only exception is if you start getting errors before 7 Passes then you can skip to Step 2.
There are 8 individual tests per Pass. Many people will start this test before going to bed and check it the next day.
If you have errors you have corrupted memory and it needs to be replaced.
Step 2 – Because of errors you need to run this test per stick of RAM. Take out one and run the test. Then take that one out and put the other in and run the test. If you start getting errors before 7 Passes you know that stick is corrupted and you don’t need to run the test any further on that stick.
* Get back to us with the results.
