Can only recover from BSOD by unplugging all USB devices

Been posting my problem in somebody's closed thread. My bad.

So, here my problem in my very own new thread.

PC slows down, then locks up, then does the BSOD thing. Sometimes with very few things open. (email and a magazine reader) Sometimes with lots of things open. (powerpoint, email, Bible study software, video editor, youtube downloader, etc)

If I've done it right, the zipped dump file is attached.

Here are the system specs.
Thanks for help.

There are no dump files in your upload mate, they will be located in C:\windows\minidump folder have a look
Check this out http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html

Pauly beat me to it but please see the second part of my post.

The next thing I notice is that you have an SSD please ensure that its firmware is up to date.

I can't find the "C:\windows\minidump folder". I got as far as "C:\windows" But, no "minidump folder" is there.

Just checked the original post I sent and it shows the BSOD dump files was attached. I even opened and looked at the contents. There are 7 document files and 1 system information file attached.

So, I've attached the zipped folder again. From the desktop. According to the preview page the files are attached.

I also checked out Dump Files - Configure Windows to Create on BSOD but, am confused. Which is my fault. Not yours. Do I need to do these steps to get the dump file in a "minidump" folder in the C drive? Not sure why the dump file would load from there but not my desktop. But, what do I know.

Also, how do I make sure my firmware for my SSD is up to date?

Your upload
View attachment 250543
Someone elses
View attachment 250544

You may need to turn on "show hidden files and folders" to view that folder from folder options view in control panel or if no dump has ever been created the folder will not be there
Running method 2 step 2 from that tutorial to configure windows to create a small memory dump

OK folks. I must be dumber than a rock.

As best as I can understand it and follow directions I have tried every way suggested to get a minidump.

I've used the Windows Seven "SF Diagnostic Tool". Twice. I learned the first time that you need to drag the tool off to the side of the monitor because if you don't you can't get to and click the various "OK" buttons that appear behind the tool face. Had to shut the PC completely down and start over. Now that I have run this tool twice I now have on my desktop two separate "SF" folders. The first one has the stuff I have sent twice before but apparently isn't getting to you. Or, is the wrong stuff. The other folder has the new info in it. But, I'm not sending it because, based on the earlier attempts, something will happen to it and the contents won't get to you. Or, it would be another copy of the wrong stuff.

In both of these folders there are a list of documents. But none are named "minidump".

I also downloaded and ran the "Create Minidump" tool. (I ran it twice.) But, I can't find where the results are. So, again, nothing to attach and send.

I did the "show hidden folders" thing so I could see the "minidump" folder in "C\Windows\". Even checked it twice to be sure everything was checked as directed. But, still no "minidump" folder in "C\Windows\".

I have done the steps in both "Option 1" and "Option 2" to try to get the "minidump".

I must be "maxi-dumb" 'cause I can't find the "minidump" even though the tools have been run and run and run again.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

Its method 2 option 2 you should have ran (thats the easiest IMO) After running the options that just changes a setting in windows which will hopefully create a minidump next time there is a bsod

If (and that is a big word with me in the process) I have done this right, there is a slide attached.

On that slide are two questions. Trying to be sure I understand this process right.

As I understand it, I can't send a minidump file until I have another BSOD event that will cause a file to be created.

That's kind of like having a kidney stone. They hurt like the devil. But, if they aren't hurting then they aren't moving and that means you are stuck with it and the doctor will have to cut or blast it outta' ya. The pain is beyond awful. But, the cure is wonderful.

Likewise, I don't want another BSOD. But, I actually need one so I can get a minidump file to send to you brilliant folks who are being so kind with this dumb country boy.

Am I right in understanding there is not a way to get a minidump from a BSOD event that happened before I loaded these two tools? (SF Diagnostic tool and the Create Minidump tool)

Thanks folks.

MeAgain

PS: Notice on the slide that the SF Diagnostic tool is set off to the side a bit. Per my previous note, the "OK" buttons come up behind the tool if you leave it in the middle of the screen and you can't get to them. Only way I could get out of it was to shut the PC down and start over.

You are correct in all, you if you dont have a dump file you wont get one until another BSOD event even then its not a certantity sometimes they just arent produced if the pc suffers a hard enough crash or error as the machine needs time to gather and save the info for the dump file if it doesnt get that time or the crash is to severe sometimes the file simply doesnt get created
Cross fingers time

Well, I finally figured something out right.

Thanks for reply.

Sometimes these BSODs come along frequently.

Sometimes, it'll be 3-5 weeks between them.

So, if OK with you folks how about we just leave this thread open until I have another BSOD and hope there is a minidump file so send you.

Meanwhile, there is one open question. How do I check to see if my SSD has the most current firmware and where do I get any updates?

I was running Slimdriver for a while to find out what updates were needed and then go get them from inside slimdriver. But, about 3 weeks ago I started getting a warning that the slimdriver tool didn't have a "digitally signed driver" and I stopped using it. (Driver: Unknown Publisher. Service: SWDUMon. Publisher: Unknown Publisher. Location: C:\Windows\Syste...\SWDUMon.sys)

Thanks again.

MeAgain

You can go to this site OCZ - Firmware Update and download the first program at the top pf the list of downloads.

Another Crash

Hello Folks. Long time. No BSODs. Thankfully.

But, just had one.

Shortly after downloading and installing avast security system.

But, not sure that was the cause.

I can't find the Seven Forums Diagnostic Tool that I downloaded to use it now (after the BSOD).

Couldn't find anything that said :minidump"

But, I did find this log on the C drive under "windows" and the date and timing is when the BSOD struck.

It is a LOT of lines of stuff.

Hope it helps zero in on the problem.

Meanwhile, I have been monitoring the heat on this PC because there was some concern that it was over heating. The CPU generally runs in the mid 20s to mid 30s. Mid 40s if I'm doing some heavy video editing. The Motherboard generally runs in the high 20s' to mid 30s. Mid 40s when doing the video editing.

Thanks folks and looking forward to your response(s)

Please follow the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions

Where's the reply that my email said I got?

Dsprague said:

Please follow the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions

Click to expand...

^^ the file you provided has literally no information about what went wrong with your PC if you need to re-download the SF diagnostic tool to run it again please do so.

Thanks for your patience. All this is not my normal thought process. So, I am laboring my way through all this. I did check the setup at http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html and confirmed that I had set up option one as directed. What concerns me, however, is that I cannot find the SF Diagnostic Tool even though I did download it and had it setup. Now I can't even find the folder it was in. Hum. Whatever, when the BSOD hit this morning the PC did not quickly shut down as it always has before. So, I grabbed my camera and took a photo. I would attach a copy of it but the attach a file option does not appear here for some reason. If I could attach it you would see on the BSOD that the next to last line includes these words, "memory dump FAILED". No wonder there isn't a minidump file to be found. If you would be so kind as to tell me again where to get the SF Diagnostic Tool again I'll start all over. Thanks much.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92394-sf-diagnostic-tool-using-troubleshooting.html here is the link to the download

Another BSOD

Windows 7 launched, then BSOD. But, the PC re-launched and I got a notice that Windows 7 did not shut down properly. I ran your Windows Seven Forum Diagnostic tool, using the "MINIDUMP" option and got something. A first for me!

But, alas, it was not in one of the required file extensions. It is a .dmp file.

So, I opened it in WORD and saved it as a pdf file.

Hopefully, it is attached and it is something that you folks can use to help.

Thanks much.

No send it to us as the raw .dmp file.

OK.

Here is the .dmp file. (If I did this right.)

Thxs.