The error code 0x00000038 translates to “SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL” on Windows systems and indicates a critical issue with the serial driver. This error typically results in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crash.

Here’s a breakdown of the causes, solutions, and additional resources to troubleshoot the 0x00000038 error:

Causes:

• Buggy or Incompatible Serial Driver: The most common culprit is a faulty, outdated, or incompatible serial driver for your computer’s serial port. Serial ports were frequently used for older peripherals like printers or modems, but their use has significantly declined in modern systems.
• Hardware Issues (Less Likely): In rare cases, physical problems with the serial port itself can contribute to the error.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Here are some approaches you can take to fix the 0x00000038 error:

1. Update or Disable Serial Driver (if applicable):

   • If your system still has a functional serial port and you use serial devices, try updating the serial driver. You can update drivers manually through Device Manager or use automatic updates from Windows.
   • If you don’t use any serial devices, consider disabling the serial port entirely in Device Manager. This can prevent the driver from loading and potentially resolve the error. However, keep in mind that disabling the serial port renders it unusable.

2. System Restore (if applicable):

   • If the error started occurring recently after installing new software or updating drivers, consider performing a System Restore to revert your system to a point before the error appeared.

3. Windows Update:

   • Ensure your Windows system is fully updated, as updates might include fixes for known driver issues, including the serial driver.

Additional Considerations:

• Limited Usefulness of Serial Ports: As mentioned earlier, serial ports are less common in modern computers. If you’re encountering this error and your system doesn’t have a physical serial port, it’s less likely to be the root cause. The error code might be due to a different device driver malfunctioning and generating a similar error code.

• Investigate Alternative Causes:

  • If you have a modern system without a serial port and are still encountering the 0x00000038 error, analyze recent system changes or recently installed hardware/software that might be causing conflicts with other drivers.

Here are some resources that might be helpful:

• Microsoft article on Bug Check 0x00000038 (for programmers): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/bug-check-0x38–serial-driver-internal
• How to Fix SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL Blue Screen Errors (0x00000038): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nebatGHwYys

Remember: Serial ports are becoming obsolete, and the troubleshooting steps above might not be applicable on all systems. If you’re unsure about the cause of the error or uncomfortable troubleshooting hardware/drivers, consult a qualified technician for further assistance. They can diagnose the issue and provide a solution specific to your system configuration.