17 R3, blue screen error, bad pool header

I ran several days of tests.  First, the machine as shipped.  Left it running all day long, rebooting after crashes.  Crashed 2-3 times each day (while not being used, just on the desktop).  Sometimes it took hours, sometimes less than an hour.

I then removed the Dell applications as suggested.  Ran it for several more days, and no crashes whatsoever.  I ran a large 200GB copy, no crash.  The system seems stable.

I then went to the Dell site, and allowed it install the Support Assist.  It wouldn't even install before crashing with the Bad Pool Header!  That puts the nail in that coffin, for me.

While I'm not happy about this, rarely do I use support (other than forums) anyway.  So to me, I've decided this is low to no impact to me, and I have started to load this machine to make it work the way I need it.

I hope Dell can pull things together and get this working.  I've paid for this Support product, it should work, but as of today, I'm not planning on sending it back.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions and diligent work to help figure this out.  I'm very sad that Dell was no help, and that will come into play in 4-5 years when this machine get's replaced with the then latest and greatest.

Hello,

I came to the same conclusion as Ameade: no more BSOD nor BAD_POOL_HEADER crashes after uninstalling Dell software, especially Support Assist.

I'd like to thank you all for your constructive posts which helped figure this out.

I'm gonna keep this computer with no Dell software on it. However, given the price of Alienware laptops, I'm very disappointed in Dell's failure to ship a properly working computer. This is my first but probably also my last Alienware laptop.

Cheers,

RL

Hello,   I came to the same conclusion as Ameade: no more BSOD nor BAD_POOL_HEADER crashes after uninstalling Dell software, especially Support Assist.   I'd like to thank you all for your constructive posts which helped figure this out.   I'm gonna keep this computer with no Dell software on it. However, given the price of Alienware laptops, I'm very disappointed in Dell's failure to ship a properly working computer. This is my first but probably also my last Alienware laptop.   Cheers,   RL

Dell and Alienware Support techs patrolling this forum and responding to other threads everyday, and yet not a single update on this thread from them. It's telling. And concerning.

This is my first Alienware and I'm 99% sure it will be my last. The first couple of months with the R3 have been frustrating to say the least.

Agreed & confirmed: complete removal of the Dell SupportAssist program has successfully stopped my BSOD issues. Over 4 days now w/o any BSOD. I've reported the error logs & all info I have on this matter straight to PC DOCTOR. (In addition to this Dell website). Hopefully, they get this fixed.

Thanks for all your help on here. I've wasted two evenings trying to figure out why I keep getting this boot header error. I just uninstalled Dell Support now... I hope it works!

I just got my Alienware 17 32gb ram, 1tb ssd, 1tb hd, etc. about 10 days ago...  They need to stop shipping these with Dell support assist on them. Wasting all of our time if that's what it is.

I noticed there are new versions available for the Dell Support software. You may give it a try.

I noticed there are new versions available for the Dell Support software. You may give it a try.

Changes in audio type? Do you have a link to their article so I can review it further?

On a side note: I'm still waiting for PC DOCTOR 's feedback regarding the BSOD we all keep getting when trying to use SupportAssist. Hopefully they'll have a fix for us or update after reviewing my memory.dmp file.

I'll keep you all posted - especially since Dell doesn't seem very interested in touching this one. Bad terrible PR Dell. How can you be ok w/ this when we spend the money for a quality product?

Microsoft Windows 10 support site says the problem is related to differences / changes in different audio types.   Associated with it audio stuff being graphics drivers.   

I dunno.  For the time being I am putting up with the few BSOD Bad_Pool_Headers I get.   I am a bit iffy about changing graphics drivers until I see others are doing so successfully.   

I know there is something odd about the options presented when I plug in external speakers, as the plug in seems to think I am also using a Microphone with a headset as my option.  External Speakers not being an option.   

I am not going to try to do any fixes for the time being.  I am more suspicious of the problems which will come (later) with the Hitachi Hard Drive.    After a big mess Hitachi made with its Death Star drives in the nineties, they do not even have the PR foresight to use a different name, to indicate that they are using a different technology, (rather than glass platters), or at least snow us.   

I just brought an 15 R3; their support is no good; I can't get my sys. in RED; I told the sales person I wanted "RED". I was told I could change the color. None of their support can not even give me a hard copy of how to change the. I think it was just another way to get a sale. If I can not get what I paid for. Do not whant it & will tell everone about the problems. I am having. Buy at your own risk. The co. could have done this while it was in production.

Syric, good question. Now I do not see the article at first google either.   I got it from Windows 10 support site somewhere.   I go to Windows 10 support sites, and see other suggestions.  Mostly that the issue might be bad memory, most likely incorrect drivers.  Mentions OverClocking might be the issue.   

I was at the local computer store the other day and was gossiping about the issue.  The tech there immediately suggest that it was likely the Video Driver.   

Here on this forum others have suggested that the problem is related to wireless card or its driver.  I am using only the plug in Ethernet/Lan port, and the wireless is turned off (also does not have the router Password)   I get the error.  So that is likely the wireless is not the problem.  Maybe something in the combined Network.   

Previously I had an Alienware 14 which I had upgraded from Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro, and I never saw a BSOD.   I did discover in the last two years that many problems I had with the Alienware 14 were actually Windows OS issues, not the Alienware Hardware.   In some of these cases of Alienware problems, might be wise to go to the M$ Windows sites to seek answers.   

If I have some spare time (for the next several days I do not have much time) I will try to google around and see if I can find the original quote that it is likely related to changes in different types of sound files as they occur on the computer.   

Yep, 3200 Eur laptop crashing 2-3 times a day:

022916-8500-01.dmp 2/29/2016 2:04:24 PM BAD_POOL_HEADER 0x00000019 00000000`00000020 ffffe001`27f78440 ffffe001`27f78500 00000000`0c0c0001 HIDCLASS.SYS HIDCLASS.SYS+3dc50046 x64 ntoskrnl.exe+142480 C:\Windows\Minidump\022916-8500-01.dmp 8 15 10586 423,484 2/29/2016 2:05:29 PM
022816-9875-01.dmp 2/28/2016 11:05:46 AM DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL 0x000000d1 ffffd000`28eb6000 00000000`00000002 00000000`00000001 fffff800`fdb890cc iaStorA.sys iaStorA.sys+c90cc x64 ntoskrnl.exe+142480 C:\Windows\Minidump\022816-9875-01.dmp 8 15 10586 415,300 2/28/2016 12:16:15 PM
022716-12968-01.dmp 2/27/2016 6:56:07 PM DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL 0x000000d1 ffffd000`25076000 00000000`00000002 00000000`00000001 fffff801`b32190cc iaStorA.sys iaStorA.sys+c90cc x64 ntoskrnl.exe+142480 C:\Windows\Minidump\022716-12968-01.dmp 8 15 10586 415,380 2/27/2016 7:09:49 PM

I think i will return it and ask for refound, no way i can work like this.

Not to mention: I don't play games on it.

For the time being, deinstall Dell Foundation Services. This should fix the problem.   I agree, it should not happen but Foundation Services is not that important.

Everything has been going great for me (not one single error message) since I uninstalled Dell Support Assist. 

Just posting in case it helps anyone else reading this.