Windows 7 Blue screen " Dumping physical memory to disk"

Check this KB article :

You receive various Stop error messages in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2 when
you try to resume a computer that has a large SATA hard disk.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977178

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Check this thread for information using BlueScreenView, MyEventViewer and other methods
to troubleshoot BlueScreens - top 3 replies (+1 other).

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-system/sometimes-i-get-a-blue-screen-when-using-ie-8/c675b7b8-795f-474d-a1c4-6b77b3fcd990

We can analyze the minidumps if you make them available from the SkyDrive or other file
sharing sites (such as MediaFire). If you have problems uploading the minidumps copy
them to the Desktop or the Documents folder and upload them from there.

Zip or upload the contents of C:\Windows\minidump

Use SkyDrive to upload collected files.
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproui/thread/4fc10639-02db-4665-993a-08d865088d65 

Check and reseat all cards, memory and cables (on both ends when possible) actually remove and
replace - do not just snug. On a laptop about all you can do is reseat the memory and possibly check
the contacts/connection to the hard drive. Memory could be the problem so if you have more than 1
stick swap them in and out to see if the problem follows one stick or try new memory. Antivirus/anti-
spyware/security programs have been known to cause or have a role in this issue.

Most general fix is updating drivers, BIOS, and low level chipset drivers and other control software.
Also check cabling to hard disk.

BCCode: F4    0x000000F4  <-- read this link
http://www.faultwire.com/solutions-fatal_error/A-process-or-thread-crucial-to-system-operation-has-0x000000F4-*1241.html

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Look in the Event Viewer to see if anything is reported about those.
http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista_event_viewer.htm

MyEventViewer - Free - a simple alternative to the standard event viewer of Windows.
TIP - Options - Advanced Filter allows you to see a time frame instead of the whole file.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/my_event_viewer.html

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Also do this so you can see the likely bluescreens.

Windows Vista automatically restarts if your PC encounters an error that causes it to crash.
http://www.winvistatips.com/disable-automatic-restart-t84.html

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Here are some methods to possibly fix the blue screen issue. If you could give the Blue Screen
info that would help. Such as the BCC and the other 4 entries on the lower left. And any other
error information such as STOP codes and info such as IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA and similar messages.

As examples :

BCCode: 116
BCP1: 87BC9510
BCP2: 8C013D80
BCP3: 00000000
BCP4: 00000002

or in this format :

Stop: 0x00000000 (oxoooooooo oxoooooooo oxooooooooo oxoooooooo)
tcpip.sys - Address 0x00000000 base at 0x000000000 DateStamp 0x000000000


This is an excellent tool for posting Blue Screen Error Information

BlueScreenView scans all your minidump files created during 'blue screen
of death' crashes, and displays the information about all crashes in one
table - Free
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html


Many BlueScreens are caused by old or corrupted drivers, especially video drivers however
there are other causes.

You can do these in Safe Mode if needed or from Command Prompt from Vista DVD or
Recovery Options if your system has that installed by the maker.

How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

You can try a System Restore back to a point before the problem started if there is one.

How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

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Start - type this in Search Box ->  COMMAND   find at top and RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN

Enter this at the prompt - sfc /scannow

How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program
generates in Windows Vista cbs.log (and Windows 7)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

The log might give you the answer if there was a corrupted driver. (Does not tell all the possible
driver issues).

Also run CheckDisk so we can rule out corruption as much as possible.

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

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Often updating drivers will help, usually Video, Sound, Network Card  (NIC), WiFi, 3rd party
keyboard and mouse, as well as other major device drivers.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm 

How to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager (also Windows 7) 
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html 

Stop Windows 7 from Automatically Installing Device Drivers
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/stop-windows-7-from-automatically-installing-device-drivers/ 

How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows 7 / Vista
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/

Disable Windows Update Device Driver Search Prompt In Windows 7 / Vista (for Professional,
Ultimate, and Enterprise)
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/disable-windows-update-device-driver-search-prompt/

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How to fix BlueScreen (STOP) errors that cause Windows Vista to shut down or restart
unexpectedly
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958233

Troubleshooting Vista Blue Screen, STOP Errors (and Windows 7)
http://www.chicagotech.net/vista/vistabluescreen.htm

Understanding and Decoding BSOD (blue screen of death) Messages
http://www.taranfx.com/blog/?p=692

Windows - Troubleshooting Blue Screen Errors
http://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=7033

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In some cases this might be required.

StartUp Repair from Recovery Options or Windows 7 disk

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Hope this helps.

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Hi,

References to Vista also apply to Windows 7.

Memory testing methods are in the section following these driver update methods.

This is my generic how to for proper driver updates :

This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded :

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your
system. For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address
of the driver, description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and
more.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most
current. Control Panel - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and
complete model of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the
version info. Now click UPdate Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind
certifying drivers) - then Right Click - Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver
stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if
3rd party with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers
you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then
Device Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest
versions. (Look for BIOS, Chipset and software updates at System Maker's site while
there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT
after each installation.

Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing
actually shows up. This is because some drivers rollback before the latest is installed
(sound drivers particularly do this) so install a driver - reboot - check to be sure it is
installed and repeat as needed.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER -
check manually by model.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm

Installing and updating drivers in 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43216-installing-updating-drivers-7-a.html

If you update drivers manually then it is a good idea to disable Driver Installations in
Windows Updates, this leaves Windows Updates ON however it will not install drivers
which will usually be older and cause issues. If Updates suggests a new driver then
HIDE it (Right Click on it) and then go look for new ones manually if you wish.

Stop Windows 7 from Automatically Installing Device Drivers
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/stop-windows-7-from-automatically-installing-device-drivers/

How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows 7 / Vista
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/

Disable Windows Update Device Driver Search Prompt In Windows 7 / Vista (for Professional,
Ultimate, and Enterprise)
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/disable-windows-update-device-driver-search-prompt/

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Memory tests do not catch all errors such as mismatched memory (possible even for sticks
that appear to be identical) and when faster memory is placed in system behind slower memory.
So it is best to also swap sticks in and out to check for those even if all memory tests fail to show
a problem.

To test RAM check here - let it run 4+ hours or so.  <-- best method
www.memtest.org

For the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

Start - type in Search box ->  Memory - find Memory Diagnostics tool at top of list - Right Click -
RUN AS ADMIN follow the instructions

Windows Vista: How to Scan / Test your RAM or Memory with Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic
Tool
http://www.shivaranjan.com/2007/11/01/windows-vista-how-to-scan-test-your-ram-or-memory-with-windows-vista-memory-diagnostic-tool/

How to Run the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.html

Test Your Computer’s Memory Using Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/test-your-computers-memory-using-windows-vista-memory-diagnostic-tool/

Hope this helps.

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.