'Error allocating Mem Bar for PCI device'??? What is happening? PLEASE HELP!

Question

*** Novice Computer User ***   I have been using a broadband modem for the last year, however when I ended my contract, I needed to temporarily return to my internal dial-up modem. But for someone reason it had disappeared off my system and nothing I did got it to recognise it, as being installed.   I had the bright idea of removing the modem, rebooting, then re-installing the modem and rebooting. Here is where the problems began.   When I rebooted it came up with the message '02/03/0: Error allocating Mem Bar for PCI device. Strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility.' When I press F1 the message continues appearing, when I press F2 and go into setup, the harddrive is not showing as recognised. I've tried clearing the NVRAM and nothing.   I rebooted with the Windows XP CD-Rom in and it begins the installation process, I opt for a third-party SCSI drive and everything goes ok until it gets to the point where you choose to install, repair or exit.   If I choose repair or exit I get back to the 'Strike F1' message, if I opt for installation, it says that no mass storage device is recognised that is compatible with Windows XP.   I have checked all the wiring and everything is as it was before I opened the computer. Can somebody please help and bear in mind I am a novice?   cheers

Majestic · Answer

A few suggestions...... posting your Dell model number would have been helpful.  Solutions offered and BIOS options available can vary from model to model.    The F1 - F2 boot up scenario usually means the system is having a hard time detecting a piece of hardware at boot up.  Since you were inside the system I would make a point of reseating all the cables and hardware inside.  Possibly something was accidently bumped loose when you removed the modem and re-installed it.   The F1 - F2 boot scenario is a problem related to the system itself.  Since the problem is related to the computer's hardware and not the operating system, no Windows XP repair is going to resolve this problem.    Clearing of the NVRAM is effective in resolving a lot of F1 - F2 boot scenarios.  Unfortunately not all methods of clearing the NVRAM are effective.  Again, knowing your model number as well as the method you used to clear the NVRAM would have been helpful.

marvmon · Answer

Hi Majestic,   I have a DELL Dimension 8300 and to clear the NVRAM, I turned on CAPS, SCROLL & NUM lock and pressed Alt+E, Alt+F and Alt+B. It sets it rebooting and the same message occurs.   I have checked the connections inside and all seem fine.   Appreciate your help!   Message Edited by marvmon on 12-13-2005 08:14 AM

Majestic · Answer

Have you tried clearing the NVRAM with the modem card out of the system?

If that doesn't do the trick then pull all of the PCI expansion cards out of the system to see if it will boot normally. You may have to clear the NVRAM again.

I assume you are using this method to clear the NVRAM....

Reboot system and enter the BIOS Setup by pressing F2.
Turn on Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock.
Press ALT+ E then ALT+ F (should hear beep) then ALT+ B

Message Edited by Majestic on 12-13-2005 08:18 AM

marvmon · Answer

All hail Majestic, they say this is the time for miracles and that is what you have performed.

Thank you so much for your advice.

I removed all the cards, cleared the NVRAM and added them one at a time, it was when I added the Firewire card that I had the problem, however although my modem wasn't causing the problem, the computer still doesn't recognise that it is installed. But at least it's up and running.

Once again, many many thanks.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Majestic · Answer

Your welcome!  Glad to hear the system is running again and Happy Holidays to you too!   If you have another system available I would try installing the firewire card and modem in the other system.  If the other system doesn't recognize the cards then it would be safe to assume they have failed.  If they have failed it would seem strange that they both failed at once unless there was some outside influence like a voltage spike due to bad weather/ power outage or they got a zapped from a static discharge.  The other possibility it that the modem failed quite a while ago and the problem was just noticed.

Ronzo666 · Answer

Hail Majestic ...a god tho art! Dell 5100 tower fell over and both SATA drives became '...not detected. Verified both drives were operational with a USB - to - SATA drive adapter - and reset everything that could be reset. Got to a point where I was getting '03/08/0 error allocating mem BAR for pri device'. Googled it, wound up here - and tried clearing NVRAM based on what I read here. WOO HOO....computer runs like a  rock star again!

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'Error allocating Mem Bar for PCI device'??? What is happening? PLEASE HELP!

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