Part One:

Through the years the Microsoft Windows Operating System (OS) has grown from 16-bit to 32-bit and now to 64-bit. Even though Microsoft has added features and security settings that have caused the OS to swell in ize, it is actually much more stable and harder to crash than previous versions. The newest OS, Microsoft Windows 7, uses the User Mode and the Kernel Mode protection systems to allow multiple applications to run at the same time while greatly reducing the chance for a system crash. But crashes do happen, especially the Blue Screen error affectionately known as the “Blue Screen of Death” or BSOD. Whether or not you have a helpdesk to call for your network support needs, figuring out the cause and troubleshooting BSOD can be exhausting. We have found that the most common causes of BSOD in Windows operating systems are faulty device drivers, but it can also be caused by software or hardware errors, Windows installation errors, startup errors, or intermittent errors.

So knowing what causes Windows 7 to crash is the first step. The next step is finding the best way to stop these crashes from happening. Keeping your system updated is a good start. This means Microsoft updates for Windows and other software, such as Microsoft Office, third party drivers – especially video drivers, hardware drivers and firmware, and BIOS. Check your system by running a virus and spyware scan. Check the computer for hardware or memory errors – memory faults can easily cause Blue Screen errors. Another way to stop these crashes is by undoing recent changes with System Restore or booting into safe mode to troubleshoot the startup or driver issues. You can also try and load the default BIOS settings as resource conflicts and timing issues can be caused by incorrect BIOS settings. But in reality the most common cause of blue screen errors is a faulty device driver. Outdated, incorrect or corrupt drivers can cause the system to encounter a Stop error, resulting in a BSOD. The easiest way to fix a BSOD is to reinstall and update the systems device drivers.

So you’ve done all of the above but are still experiencing crashes and blue screens? Troubleshooting the BSOD error can be difficult, but Microsoft has given us some tools to uncover and address the source of the operating system crash. The first thing to do is to setup the Startup and Recovery settings as shown in Fig 1. 

Fig 1.

By unchecking the ‘Automatically restart’ option the computer will no longer automatically reboot after a BSOD and we can take a look at the crash screen and get the error message and stop error code (Fig 2). This also allows us to get a physical dump or ‘Minidump’ of the processes that were running and/or loaded in memory. Note: Although we will get both a Kernel dump file and a Minidump file for each crash the system will only save the last Kernel dump file. You will have a Minidump file for every crash event.

Fig. 2

There are a myriad or stop error codes and messages. I will list the common ones below and what they reference.

A complete list of stop codes and descriptions can be found on the MSDN Library site located here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh406232(v=VS.85).aspx

Although these error codes are helpful, we can also check the Windows event logs for more information related to the crash (Fig 3).  You should check all system and application events that preceded the system crash.

Fig. 3

We can also look at the error report generated by Windows before sending it to Microsoft (Fig. 4) to see if it sheds any more light on the error and for the location of the Minidump file.

Fig. 4

An important point that is not well known is that most crashes are repeat crashes. This is because most administrators are not able to resolve system crashes immediately. As a result those crashes unfortunately tend to occur again.

Hopefully these steps will assist you in resolving the BSOD error.

In the next installment of this blog we will use the WinDbg utility to analyze the MEMORY.DMP and Minidump files to further track down the cause of the system crash.

1.       Win + Home  This shortcut clears all windows on your screen except for the one that’s active. It cleans up your workspace and makes it easier to focus on one task.

2.       Win + Up, Win + Down Respectively, these two different commands maximize or minimize your active window. It can provide room for other applications or give you a chance to look at something else you’re working on.

3.       Win + (+/-) This will allow you to zoom in or out on what you’re working with. If something on a webpage is hard to read, you simply hit Win + (+) and the text magnifies. Need to restore the screen view? Just hit Win + (-) and the screen will restore to the previous size.

4.       Win + L Using this command will lock your desktop and display a windows logon screen, securing your machine from snooping eyes.

5.       Alt + Esc This command allows you to cycle through open windows. It is helpful when trying to view multiple reports or browse articles or websites, but you’re unsure of what to click in the taskbar.

6.       Win + Space  This combination makes all open windows transparent, allowing the user to view the desktop. This could be important when needing to locate a file or drive only located on the desktop.

7.       Ctrl + Shift + N  Last but not least, this shortcut allows the user to create a new folder.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, so if you know of some we have not included, please contact us! Enjoy the process of becoming a Windows 7 keyboard shortcut/productivity ninja.

This last question tends to be, personally, the one I’m most hesitant to answer directly.  Enter Microsoft’s Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.  Still in beta, it has worked splendidly every time I’ve tried it.  A small download which installs and runs quickly, it assesses hardware and attached devices to tell you about any potential problems, and then allows you to save the report!  This includes network printers, USB drives, etc. which obviously helps to avoid the potential for post-installation client meltdowns.  And lets face it – who wants to research whether Fern Potter’s favorite Okidata dot matrix printer (as seen in Wargames) will be compatible?

I’m already running Windows 7, but I’m including a screenshot of the sorts of feedback it can provide. 

Windows 7. Are you ready?