multiple times each day, my computer crashes. Sometimes I get a bsod. Most times the system freezes and takes forever (5-10 minutes) to shutdown. I have run windbg to print the mini-dump files.
Computer is dell xps 420 - purchased in 2006.
Vista Home Premium 32 bit - OEM. Upgraded to SP2
Attached is the zip file of BSOD Dump & System File Collection app. Any help will be appreciated.
This type of BSOD is usually caused by a driver. The driver given as the cause in your reports is a Microsoft Driver, not the true cause, but merely the scape goat. Try driver verifier and lets see if the real culprit is revealed
I'd suggest that you firstbackup your data and then make sure you've got access to another computer soyou can contact us if problems arise. Then make a System Restore point (so youcan restore the system using the Vista/Windows 7 Startup Repair feature).
In Windows 7 you can make a Startup Repair disk by going to Start....AllPrograms...Maintenance...Create a System Repair Disc - with Windows Vistayou'll have to use your installation disk or the "Repair your computer"option at the top of the Safe Mode menu .
Then, here's the procedure:
- Go to Start and type in "verifier" (without the quotes) and press Enter
- Select "Create custom settings (for code developers)" and click"Next"
- Select "Select individual settings from a full list" and click"Next"
- Select everything EXCEPT FOR "Low Resource Simulation" and click"Next"
- Select "Select driver names from a list" and click "Next"
Then select all drivers NOT provided by Microsoft and click "Next"
- Select "Finish" on the next page.
Reboot the system and wait for it to crash to the Blue Screen. Continue to useyour system normally, and if you know what causes the crash, do thatrepeatedly. The objective here is to get the system to crash because DriverVerifier isstressing the drivers out. If it doesn't crash for you, then let it run for atleast 36 hours of continuous operation (an estimate on my part).
If you can't get into Windows because it crashes too soon, try it in Safe Mode.
If you can't get into Safe Mode, try using System Restore from yourinstallation DVD to set the system back to the previous restore point that youcreated.
Thanks. As soon as I get the BSOD, I'll send the zip file. Based on the history of this problem, it could be a few days before I get a BSOD. The most frequent symptom is that the computer freezes during shutdown.
I have run the verifier.exe several times with the settings indicated. Never received another BSOD. I will not be able to monitor the computer giving me problems for several months. Therefore, I am marking this issue resolved.
