Some useful software- and hardware-related
techniques can help you prepare for Stop errors when they occur. Stop
messages do not always pinpoint the root of the problem, but they do
provide important clues that you or a trained support technician can
use to identify and troubleshoot the cause.
Prevent System Restarts After a Stop Error
When a Stop error occurs, Windows Vista displays a Stop message related to the problem, followed by one of these events:
By
default, Windows Vista automatically restarts after a Stop error
occurs, unless the system becomes unresponsive. If Windows Vista
restarts your system immediately after a Stop error occurs, you might
not have enough time to record Stop message information that can help
you analyze the cause of a problem. Additionally, you might miss the
opportunity to change startup options or start the operating system in
Safe Mode.
Disabling the default restart
behavior allows you to record Stop message text, information that can
help you analyze the root cause of a problem if memory dump files are
not accessible. To disable the Automatically Restart option, follow
these steps:
1. | Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
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2. | Click Advanced System Settings.
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3. | In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab. Then, under Startup And Recovery, click Settings.
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4. | In the System Failure box, clear the Automatically Restart check box.
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If you cannot start your computer in normal mode, you can perform the preceding steps in Safe Mode.
Record and Save Stop Message Information
With
the automatic restart behavior disabled, you must restart your computer
manually after a Stop message appears. Stop messages provide diagnostic
information, such as Stop error numbers and driver names, which you can
use to resolve the problem. However, this information disappears from
the screen when you restart your computer. Generally, you can retrieve
this information after the system is restarted by examining the memory
dump file. In some situations, Stop error
information is not successfully logged, and therefore it is important
to record the information displayed in the Stop message for future
reference
To record and save Stop message information, follow these steps:
1. | Record
data that is displayed in the Technical information and Driver
information sections of the Stop message for later reference.
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2. | Record
and evaluate suggestions in the Recommended User Action section. Stop
messages typically provide troubleshooting tips relevant to the error.
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3. | Check the Debug Port and Dump File Status sections to verify that Windows Vista successfully created a memory dump file.
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4. | If
a memory dump file does exist, copy the file to removable media,
another disk volume, or a network location for safekeeping. You can use
Startup Repair to copy the dump file if you are not able to start
Windows Vista in normal mode or Safe Mode.
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Analyzing
memory dump files can assist you with identifying root causes by
providing you with detailed information about the system state when the
Stop error occurred.
Check Software Disk Space Requirements
Verify
that adequate free space exists on your disk volumes for virtual memory
paging files and application data files. Insufficient free space might
cause Stop errors and other symptoms, including disk corruption.
You can move, delete, or compress unused files manually or by using Disk Cleanup to increase free space on disk volumes.
To run Disk Cleanup, click Start, type Cleanmgr
and then press Enter. Follow the prompts to increase free disk space on
your system drive. Note that Disk Cleanup provides you with the option
to delete memory dump files.
Install a Kernel Debugger and Symbol Files
You
can use a kernel debugger to gather more information about the problem.
