Routine "Not Responding" Errors

strobe · 26 May 2011

I've had a new laptop for over a year now and have experienced problems since the very beginning. At first it was issues with changing/deleting files on the desktop or in windows explorer and not being able to see the changes without doing a manual refresh. Then I would sporadically and spontaneously get errors that Windows explorer, IE, or some Office product was not responding, Windows was checking for errors, then it would force a restart. I typically wouldn't lose anything but the crashes started to happen more and more frequently. I originally suspected some bug since every now and then something would be running at shutdown even though all applications I started were shut down. Toshiba support forced me to go through a drive config before additional support. The drive has now been replaced, but still the same problem with "not responding". I suspect it is an issue with cache/SSD - a technical glitch versus a true hardware problem. I've read several threads and other information on the web but nothing seems to scratch the right itch - close but not quite. Sure would appreciate any thoughts.

Dave76 · 27 May 2011

To ensure minidumps are enabled:
Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
Click OK on each window to get out.
Reboot if changes have been made.

A forced restart is usually a BSoD, change the setting listed above so the dump files can be made.
After the next crash follow these instructions:
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions

strobe · 27 May 2011

Thanks! Had to uncheck "automatically restart" and switch the "write debugging header".

I'll follow those instructions. I assumed BSOD was the classic Windows BSOD - the actual blue screen and system lock. But, it sounds like a program not responding and restarting is the equivalent in Windows 7.

One quick other side note, I certainly thought I was buying a higher end computer at the time (with the theory that it would still be a good system for at least three years). I am basically running out of the box Toshiba settings and don't have much else installed besides Windows, Office, NAV, and Acrobat Standard (not like I should be pushing the processing limits of the machine by any means).

Dave76 · 27 May 2011

Welcome, you will usually get the blue screen but, not always. The automatically restart will not allow the crash dump files and it's not unusual to skip the blue screen.

That's a good computer, work out these bugs out and you'll get a few more years out of it.

Let us know if you have any questions or if you get another crash.

strobe · 27 May 2011

Yeah, I guess I am lucky then... never got to the point of an actual BSOD. Just frustrating when programs spontaneously crash for no reason - never know when you are going to lose something. I'd bet that now that I am ready for the next crash, it'll not happen for awhile (Murphy's Law). I'll keep you posted. Thanks again (I'd be one happy camper if the bugs get worked out and my laptop works in a normal fashion)!

Dave76 · 27 May 2011

I hope brother Murphy is in a good mood today.

Let us know if you have another crash.

strobe · 27 May 2011

Well, the Murphster delivered... as expected - just when I wasn't expecting it. I think this is the first time I recall the failure happening to Acrobat. Zip file is attached.

I think you can see the system information on my account. If not... x64, original and OEM, a little over 1 year. Side note, originally had 7 32-bit but switched to x64 when the new drive was put in. Hoped it would help... no go.

strobe · 27 May 2011

PS Forgot to mention that it was interesting that the Resource/Performance Manager stated that I don't have a anti-virus program. That's might interesting since NAV is running.

Dave76 · 29 May 2011

No crash report, the other information is helpful.

Uninstall Acrobat 9.4.2.220 and install the new version Adobe Reader X (10.0.1)

Code:

 
Event[6]:
Log Name: Application
Source: Application Error
Date: 2011-05-27T21:01:58.000
Event ID: 1000
Task: Application Crashing Events
Level: Error
Opcode: Info
Keyword: Classic
User: N/A
User Name: N/A
Computer: David-PC
Description: 
Faulting application name: Acrobat.exe, version: 9.4.2.220, time stamp: 0x4d467491
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7601.17514, time stamp: 0x4ce7ba58
Exception code: 0xc00000fd
Fault offset: 0x0002deb9
Faulting process id: 0xb54
Faulting application start time: 0x01cc1cdb2a878d59
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 9.0\Acrobat\Acrobat.exe
Faulting module path: C:\windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
Report Id: 77d7e2c6-88ce-11e0-988b-002318c7a156

The Toshiba Service Station app has crashed many times, you should remove it.
Uninstall the program from the control panel. It is not an essential utility. It simply provides notifications of updates from Toshiba. You can achieve the same result by registering your computer on the Toshiba site and signing up for email alerts.

Code:

 
Event[15]:
Log Name: Application
Source: TOSHIBA Service Station
Date: 2011-05-27T21:00:56.000
Event ID: 0
Task: N/A
Level: Warning
Opcode: Info
Keyword: Classic
User: N/A
User Name: N/A
Computer: David-PC
Description: 
Error checking dependency [e4b859d8-de3c-4f9a-b55d-cdc1253ccbdb]: Unable to retrieve registry value!

Run the system file checker
How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker

Code:

 
Event[583]:
Log Name: Application
Source: Windows Error Reporting
Date: 2011-05-25T15:17:39.000
Event ID: 1001
Task: N/A
Level: Information
Opcode: Info
Keyword: Classic
User: N/A
User Name: N/A
Computer: David-PC
Description: 
Fault bucket 34738567, type 4
Event Name: APPCRASH
Response: Not available
Cab Id: 1222765518
Problem signature:
P1: Explorer.EXE
P2: 6.1.7601.17567
P3: 4d672ee4
P4: ntdll.dll
P5: 6.1.7601.17514
P6: 4ce7c8f9
P7: c0000024
P8: 00000000000cd7d8
P9: 
P10: 
Attached files:
C:\Users\David\AppData\Local\Temp\WERFA6B.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml
C:\Users\David\AppData\Local\Temp\WER415A.tmp.appcompat.txt
C:\Users\David\AppData\Local\Temp\WER418A.tmp.mdmp
These files may be available here:
C:\Users\David\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_Explorer.EXE_09032155f8dec35474bee713f11b24e3ad02c_cab_1743aa97
Analysis symbol: 
Rechecking for solution: 0
Report Id: eddfcd3e-870b-11e0-8fe7-002318c7a156
Report Status: 8

This is your CD ROM, check Toshiba's site for a driver update.

Code:

 
Event[1777]:
  Log Name: System
  Source: Disk
  Date: 2011-05-24T15:30:13.169
  Event ID: 11
  Task: N/A
  Level: Error
  Opcode: N/A
  Keyword: Classic
  User: N/A
  User Name: N/A
  Computer: David-PC
  Description: 
The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk1\DR1.

strobe · 30 May 2011

No crash report

Interesting - it definitely stopped working... even did a screen grab of the error stating such.

Uninstall Acrobat

Uninstalled the reader. I have Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard installed. I would have thought this would have superseded the reader that was OED installed, but the reader is gone now in any case.

Toshiba Service Station app

Gone. Also killed the "Toshiba on-line back-up". In hindsight, I could have probably found the property to turn it off (the reminder), but I really don't intend to use it, so it is gone likewise.

Run the system file checker

Ran it - everything stated as fine after one run.

driver update

No driver update to be had.

To me, it sounds like Toshiba has a lot of things messed up. So, what's next - wait for the next piece of software to crash?