0x9C: MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION defined: 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. Almost every minidump (written by Windows after a BSOD) I have ever read 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.

* So as to why it is not BSODing remains a mystery.

 

Oh, so there is only a few reasons. Good, that should be easy to find. :blackeye:

Maybe a good time to get some new parts. It is an old machine anyway and some new parts would be good.

 

Further information. Though it is the 0x124 code it replaced the 0x9C code under XP. Nevertheless, they are essentially the same: http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/35349-stop-0x124-what-means-what-try.html

If you want to build a new system we can help in our General Hardware forum. When the time comes let us know what your budget is and what you want to do with it.

We'd love to help you build a system ingeborgdot as well as help you spend your money.

 

Nothing really gets done with this machine. It is just a media store house where some programs run and music and video is retrieved.