Alert! error initializing PCI express NIC bridge... help please

Question

I keep getting this error when i boot up to windows. When i hit f1 it goes to windows and everything is fine.   I called dell and tey told me to update my bios to ao6. I still get the error then they told me to use the resource cd to see if there where any errors. No errors.     I did have to replace my nic card.. Because the onboard one died somehow. I even disabled it in bios still get this error....   I even tested my video card and still get this error     Is it the slot holding my video card? Is that why i'm getting this error?   I even cleard the  nvram   Even did a flat install of xp nothing still getting this error and dell says my 1 year warrenty don't cover this?   I f someone on this forum can please help me

Neyonda · Answer

Yes the onboard nic is disabled.   It's in a pci slot     I have a dell 8400   3.4 ghz 1gig ram ati-x800   Dell said they won't fix it because it's not covered. The power wen't out over here and ever since then is when i got those errors   And i have a 1 year warrenty but guess i can't get it fixed Message Edited by Neyonda on 05-24-2005 09:26 AM

Rijko · Answer

hi,

it would be helpful to know a few things :

is the old onboard NIC disabled in the bios ?
what machine do you have ?
What NIC are you using now ? And is that a PCI Express card ?
Is the machine still under warranty ? If so, why was the onboard NIC not repaired ?
In the 'network connections' screen, is all you have a 'local area connection' or is there a 'bridged connection' too ?

If the machine is still under warranty, i would have Dell repair the onboard NIC. And toss out the other NIC.

Hope this helps.

fireberd · Answer

If you PC is under warranty and a componet failed it would be covered and it should be repaired. Dell will not fix an added on component such as the added NIC card.

You would probably have to remove the added NIC in order to get Dell to troubleshoot (and hopefully come to the conclusion the original NIC is bad and repace it or if it's on the motherboard the entire motherboard).

Did you reinstall the Dell chipset drivers? That may even fix the original NIC?

Rijko · Answer

i agree. How about a fresh start ?

Remove the PCI NIC, enable the onboard one and reinstall the chipset drivers and the NIC drivers. Run Dell diagnostics.

Still not working ? Call Dell again and ask for help with this problem.

They will probably make you run Dell diagnostics and maybe try a few other things. They should take it from there, including repair. I would *not* accept Dell telling me the warranty does not cover power outage or a broken onboard NIC. My guess is you talked to a person that did not understand the problem. If the Dell rep refuses you the support you are entitled to by law, ask for his or her name and report your problem in the customer support forum.

Another rep should pick it up and 'update' the first rep's knowledge, so to speak.

Make a backup of your data before you send the machine off to Dell.

Best regards and good luck.

DELL- Sreenath · Answer

Well, it is true that the Dell warranty does not support component failure due to power outage. Check up the warranty/contract documents and see if it is mentioned or not. That would give you a clearer picture.

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