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atarazanas1

16 Posts

117899

October 21st, 2007 17:00

Alert: Error initializing PCI Express NIC bridge. NIC failure Dell Dimension 8400

Once again raises the problem of the title, but with more detailed data.
1 .- The message of the BIOS appears to connect the PC and prior to the loading of the operating system.
2 .- At that time, the panel lamps in the rear of the tower, appearing:
       Lamp A = green
       Lamp B = green
       Lamp C = green
       D = amber lamp
3 .- I tried to remove all cards connected to PCI and disconnect all devices (HardDriver-Floppy disc) and connect the PC, but the error message appearing continues.
4 .- When you get the message F1 pulse and the PC is connected correctly and operation is normal, except the Fast Ethernet integrated into the Motherboard is not working.
5 .- In an effort to prevent the error message appears when you connect the PC, I turned off the option NIC BIOS (off), but even so the error message continues.
6 .- I installed the Windows Home in another HardDisc again .... but the message still appears in the BIOS.
7 .- I come to the conclusion that the problem is located in the Motherboard (something electric device or contact) or in the BIOS that has undergone any change ........
8 .- The alternative that I have, before deciding to change from the Motherboard is try to download and reinstall the version 09, the BIOS (which is the one I have now), if it regenerates .....
9 .- My questions are:
A) there is any risk to reinstall the BIOS?
B) anyone have any other suggestion to locate the problem?
C) Anyone have any indication for an alternative solution?
Regards.
DLM
Dell Dimension 8400

atarazanas1

16 Posts

October 22nd, 2007 20:00

Additional information on the problem BIOS.
The solution outlined in the information below , would apply to the problem of my Dell Dimension 8400?
Please comment.
Greetings.
DLM

-------------------------------------------

How do I resolve "Alert! Error initializing PCI Express NIC bridge. Nic Failure" error on my Dell system?

Journal ID:     072957029G Article ID:    290858 Date Published:    9/12/2006 Last Revised:    10/20/2007

Table of Contents  Overview  Refresh the Onboard NIC Power State  Contact Dell Technical Support
Dell Solution Network: Knowledge Base Article » Overview
Upon booting a Dell desktop system, the following message appears:

Alert!  Error initializing PCI Express NIC bridge.
NIC failure
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility

As the message implies, the system is unable to initialize the system's network adapter. This symptom has been seen in systems cycled through various power states (on, off, hibernate, standby) many times and in systems that lose power while in a sleep mode, such as when a system is unplugged while in hibernate or sleep mode. The NIC (network interface chip) remains in a "sleep" state while the rest of the system is initializing from a power off state. To resolve this issue, the NIC needs to be refreshed from a sleep state to a power off state.


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» Refresh the Onboard NIC Power State
  1. With the system powered down, disconnect the network cable from the network jack on the back of the system.

  2. Turn on the computer and press at the www.dell.com boot screen. The system BIOS screen appears.

  3. In the menu on the left, use the up/down arrow keys to highlight Onboard Devices, then use the right arrow key to expand the selection.

  4. Use the up/down arrow keys to highlight Integrated NIC, then press .

  5. In the right pane, use the left/right arrow keys to highlight Off and press .

  6. Press , highlight Save/Exit, and press  to exit the BIOS and save changes.

  7. Shut the system down and unplug the power cord from the back of the system for 30 seconds.

  8. Plug the power cord in to the system, then boot the system back into the BIOS using the key.

  9. While in the BIOS, press + to reset factory defaults.

  10. Use the navigation arrow keys to highlight and expand Onboard Devices.

  11. Highlight Integrated NIC and use the up/down arrow keys to select On.

    Note:    

    In addition to the On setting, systems may offer an On w/ PXE and/or an On w/ RPL setting. These settings are for booting to operating systems on network servers and should not be used if you are booting to the OS on your hard drive.

     
  12. Press , highlight Save/Exit and press  to exit the BIOS and save changes.

  13. As the system reboots, confirm that the error message no longer appears.

  14. Reattach the network cable and resume normal operation of the system.

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» Contact Dell Technical Support

To contact Dell Technical Support:

  1. Click the Contact Us link located under Browse By Category at the top left side of the web page.

  2. Under Who Do You Need to Contact?, click the image that appears next to Technical Support.

  3. Click one of the following options that appear under Contact Dell:

    • Chat Online with Technical Support
      Use this option to start an online chat session with a Dell Technical Support representative.

    • E-mail Technical Support
      Use this option to send an e-mail message to Dell Technical Support.

    • Call Technical Support
      Use this option to obtain a telephone number for Dell Technical Support.
Note: When contacting Dell Technical Support, please have the product information and Service Tag number available.
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Additional Resources If this information has not solved your issue, then Contact Us for further help. Please Provide Us Your Journal ID Number Your Journal ID # is 072957029G
This is a unique identifier for a log of your current troubleshooting session. It will help our support representatives review what steps you have already performed online so they can find the solution to your problem in a more efficient manner. Toolbar Printable Version Contact Us
Start a New Search Look up a journal
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RoHe

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45.2K Posts

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October 23rd, 2007 23:00

Have you tried that procedure?

Ron

atarazanas1

16 Posts

October 24th, 2007 03:00

No, not yet. I don´t know  if this procedure, is applicable to the Dell Dimension 8400, for that reason would like to receive comments from the Forum.
Regards.
DLM

atarazanas1

16 Posts

October 24th, 2007 16:00

Today in the morning and with the advice of a telephone technician of Dell Computer, I have made throughout the procedure reset the BIOS but the problem Alert: Error initializing ... persists, so that technically I have been advised to change the Motherboard . At the moment I am looking forward to the Dell budget.
However, I continue to have doubts about the origin of the problem.
Such doubt is the following:
If I disabled (off) the option NIC of the BIOS .... how is it possible for the system to continue sending me the message Error?
It is assumed that if the NIC BIOS is disabled (off) to connect the system does not perform any check option NIC hardware integrated into the Motherboard, is not it? 
Please, I hope any indication on this matter.
Greetings.
DLM

RoHe

12 Elder

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45.2K Posts

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172.6K Points

October 24th, 2007 17:00

Did you just reset BIOS to defaults by pressing some key combination or did you remove the battery from the motherboard?

If you didn't try that, disconnect PC from the power. Press/hold the power button on tower for ~15 sec. Open the case and pop the battery out of the motherboard. Press/hold power button again. Reinstall the battery -right side up. Close the case and boot up.

If that doesn't clear the error, you might consider purchasing a PCI add-in network card which might be cheaper than a mobo, assuming you have an available PCI slot...

The procedure in that article looks harmless, so might be worth a try, even without knowing if it applies to the 8400.

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 10-24-2007 11:38 AM

wetnut2002

1 Message

January 21st, 2015 15:00

Hi I know this is an old post but I have the same exact problem with my 8400...did you ever solve it? I tired of clicking the F-1 every time I reboot!...Thanks

speedstep

11 Legend

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47K Posts

January 22nd, 2015 08:00

If the nic is not damaged this is caused by pci 2.0 AND 2.1 5V cards installed in the bus OR an X16 video card that is drawing too much power.  Universal PCI cards are required for pentium 4 motherboards.  PCI 2.3 does not support 5V signaling so older nics WONT EVER work.


 

  • Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive.
  • If there is an error message on your screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to make sure it is functioning properly.
  • The operating system is attempting to boot from a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive); check system setup (see "Boot Sequence") to make sure the boot sequence is correct for the devices installed on your computer.
  • If the problem persists, contact Dell.

 

 

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