PCI.sys STOP Error on XP CD Boot.

Question

Right, heres the problem.   We recently recieved a batch of Lattitude D420 and D520 laptops were i work to be distributed to our users.   We do not use the standard Dell install images, we wipe them and start clean with our own images.   Problem is, when trying to install Windows XP Profesional from a bootable CD, we instantly get a STOP Error appear regarding a missing or corrupted PCI.sys file.   Here is what we have tried...   Several different laptops (tried 3 D420's and 3 D520's) - Did not work. Several different XP CD's (2 Different SP1 and 2 Different SP2 CD's) - Did not work. Tried installing to D505 laptop - worked fine. Tried installing the provided Dell XP Image on the D420's and D520's - worked fine.   So basically, im stuck with what to try. Does anyone know if there has been a faulty batch of Lattitudes issued out or if Dell are now trying to supress XP installs?   To be honest, we can't have a work around, we need answers.   If it appears to be a faulty batch then we might have to get in contact with our account manager but i thought id see if anyone else is having the same problems.   Thanks in advance.

RSnooks · Answer

The image we are trying to install isnt a custom image we have created.   This is a standard XP Pro SP1 CD.   So surely this shouldn't be a problem... Unless SP1 doesn't support PCI-E?   I will give it a quick go using a standard XP Pro SP2 CD and see if this changes anything though.

BigBrother · Answer

RSnooks,

1. Do the Dell systems function correctly with the original factory installed OS load?

2. Can you provide the complete text of the PCI.sys error message that you get when booting to your image CD?

One substantial difference between the D505 and the D420/520 is that the 420 and 520 support PCI Express cards. This may very well be the source of your difficulty. Your standard image does not have PCI-E support which results in the PCI.sys error when booting to your image.

Steve

Message Edited by BigBrother on 05-02-2007 08:23 AM

RSnooks · Answer

Well, good news.

Appears that after booting from an XP Pro SP2 CD, it worked straight away.

As far as i was aware, SP1 did support PCI-E though... Maybe its different with laptops?

Message Edited by RSnooks on 05-02-2007 10:21 AM

BigBrother · Answer

RSnooks,   Windows XP SP1 should support PCI-E.  However, I suspect that the 'Express Card' implementation used in laptops is newer than the SP1 distro.  Your results seem to point to this conclusion.    Glad that you got it working, though and that your end-users can move forward with their new laptops.   Steve

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