A "0x00000124" Stop error message occurs when you use the "hot plugging" feature to add or to remove a PCI Express device on a Windows Server 2008-based computer or on a Windows Vista-based computer

Consider the following scenario:

• You have a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express interface that supports the "hot plugging" feature on a Windows Server 2008-based computer or on a Windows Vista-based computer.
• You connect a device to the root port of the PCI Express interface.
• You use the "hot plugging" feature to add or to remove a PCI Express device on the computer.

In this scenario, the Windows Server 2008-based computer or the Windows Vista-based computer may be restarted unexpectedly. Additionally, you receive the following error message: Note When you restart a Windows Server 2008-based computer or a Windows Vista-based computer, the issue may also occur if a PCI device is connected to the root port of the PCI-Express bus on the computer.

This issue occurs because resource rebalancing is triggered after you hot plug a PCI device. During the rebalancing process, the system does not configure the Max Payload Size value correctly on the root port of the PCI Express bus. The incorrect value causes a mismatch between the root port of the PCI Express bus and the device on the PCI Express bus. Therefore, the operating system triggers a Machine Check Architecture (MCA) exception, and the operating system returns a “0x00000124” exception.

Windows Vista hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, 32-bit editions

Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, 32-bit editions

Windows Vista, 64-bit editions

Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, 64-bit editions

Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based editions

Windows Server 2008 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the “Hotfix Request” page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2008, 32-bit editions

Windows Server 2008, 64-bit editions

Windows Server 2008, Itanium-based edition

The PCI Express bus is a big technological improvement over the PCI bus. PCI Express provides better bandwidth. It also has an architecture that can be scaled to meet the requirements of the next generation of hardware and software.

PCI Express simplifies hardware requirements for hot plugging functionality. Users can now replace damaged system devices, such as network adapters and storage controllers, when a computer is running.

The resource rebalancing feature lets the operating system redistribute the resources that are allocated to I/O, to memory, and to interrupts when a device is hot plugged on the system. This feature is a more efficient and flexible resource allocation mechanism than the static resource allocation mechanism that is implemented in other Windows operating systems.

To see the devices that are listed under the PCI Express root port in Device Manager, follow these steps:

1. Start Device Manager.
2. Click View, and then click Devices by connection.
3. Expand the PCI bus.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.