unfortunately, the only information i have here is highly technical... and I make no pretense about actually understanding all this myself... so i don't know how useful it will be to you.   but for the record:

 

STOP:  0x0000008E indicates KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED.

This bug check indicates that a kernel-mode application generated an exception that the error handler did not catch.

 

the first parameter in parentheses, 0xc0000005, is a STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION that indicates that a memory access violation occurred.

 

the indicated driver, serial.sys , indicates the problem was in the SERIAL DEVICE DRIVER.

 

Like I said, highly technical, and I don't know what else to say.   Hopefully someone else can take it from here.

 

[some thoughts:   I wonder if that driver "went bad"?   sometimes, repairing/updating a driving can solve these problems.   but if not updated properly, it could make things worse.

 

windows also offers a startup option known as "use last known good configuration", which might help here. 

 

i am intentionally omitting details on how to do either of these, since I'm not sure they'll work, and reluctant to take responsibility.   again, perhaps someone else can step in and continue...]

It is coming up everytime I restart windows normally.  I can restart it in safe mode but from there I am not able to do a system restore which I thought may help.  It gives me a message that "windows does not allow that function.  Contact your system administrator".  Any ideas??  It's scary to me b/c I have never seen it be in such a state where I can't really do anything.

 

Thanks again

Has this happened only once?  or does it (now) occur every time you try to start windows?

 

(as the instuctions noted, "If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer." ) 

 

no doubt, it's a very scary thing to see... and it's happened to me, two or three times over a two year period.   if the problem doesn't continually repeat itself, it's probably something that can be overlooked.

Thank you so much I appreciate all your help!!

i've just placed a request for assistance here... can't guarantee that it will catch anyone's attention...  but i've done all that i can.

8E messages are frequently RAM related issues. Reboot and press F12 to get to Utilities partition and run all the RAM tests, assuming you can.

 

Also power off and disconnect PC from the wall. Press/hold the power button on front of tower for ~15 sec. Open the case and reseat the RAM modules in their slots, and clean out all the dust bunnies.

 

The error references serial.sys so maybe it's an issue with the serial port driver. If testing/reseating RAM doesn't help, see if you can boot in Safe Mode (F8 before XP starts to load). Then run a windows system file check (sfc).

 

Ron

Things to check.

 

0. Upgrade the bios to the latest version available, it will have to be done from a DOS bootable media, since the PC cannot be booted into windows. Scroll to bottom of the page for instructions.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R109329&SystemID=INS_PNT_6000&servicetag=&os= WW1&osl=en&deviceid=6999&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=3&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=142094

 

1. That model does not appear to have a serial port.

 

2. It could be a malicious version of serial.sys that is trying to load and causing the bsod, you would have to do an offline (or safe mode if possible) scan of the hard drive in an attempt to determine if you have an infection and remove it.

 

3. Run the Dell Diagnostics, see if it finds faulty hardware, page 51, post the results of the test. If it fails the hardware tests, there is no need to try #4 or 5 at this point.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6000/en/om/D5181bk5.pdf

 

 

4. If you cannot get  it to boot regular or safe mode, try this

http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=5097  this will correct any corrupted files, this will not fix infections or malware.

 

5. If all else fails, try a XP repair as described here, using a XP sp2 level CD

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-repair-Windows-XP-t138.html

 

beyond this, you may have to do a clean install of the Operating system to verify it is Not a software/malware issue, if this does not solve it, it may need a motherboard replacement.

The first thing I would suggest would be to disconnect any external devices you have hooked up to the computer.  As previously stated, it could be a driver issue, and the most common driver problems come from printers or video cards.  Of course, don't jump into your computer and rip out the video card unless you know what you're doing.  If removing all the external devices and rebooting doesn't work, try Safe Mode(tap F8 while booting, then pick Safe Mode with the arrow keys/Enter key).

 

If you can get into Safe Mode but not Normal Mode (the mode it goes into when you *dont* tap F8), it's either a driver or a startup program, and should be resolved by ensuring all your drivers are OK, or by removing the startup program causing it. If it's not a driver, startup programs/processes/services can be disabled with the System configuration Utility, msconfig.exe, or for more advanced users Autoruns from Sysinternals. If this is the case, you might be looking at an infection.

 

If you are unable to get into Safe Mode with all the external devices removed and you're still under warranty, call into Dell's tech support and have them check the RAM and other possible hardware options.