Reading .dmp Files
When opening the .dmp file, there is some important information that can help in diagnosing the cause of the system error. The two main elements to look out for are:
Bug Check String
This is a descriptive text that indicates the type of error that caused the system to crash. This text usually gives a brief overview of the nature of the error, such as “DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”. This information provides an initial clue as to the problem that is causing the system to malfunction.
Bug Check Code
These are the standard Windows error codes displayed in hexadecimal format (0x000…). This code is more technical and specific to each type of error, so it can be used to search for more information online or in the Windows database to find a specific solution or cause of the problem.
An example of an error code is 0x000000d1, which relates to the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error.
Finding Solutions Based on Error Codes
After obtaining the Bug Check String and Bug Check Code of the .dmp file, the next step is to find the right solution. This process involves several stages:
Conducting a Search on the Internet
Error codes such as 0x000000d1 can be searched directly on the internet. Many user communities, technical databases, and forums such as Microsoft Support or the engineering community discuss these various error codes and provide specific solutions to each problem. Generally, this search will provide information about common causes and steps that can be taken to address the issue.
Identifying Possible Causes
In many situations, the issues that cause BSOD are often related to incompatible, corrupted, or IRQ (Interrupt Request drivers). Although IRQ conflicts are rare in modern versions of Windows, incompatible driver issues are still common.
If Bug Check String indicates a driver-related issue, such as “DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”, then the user needs to check the drivers installed in the system and make sure that all of those drivers are up to date and compatible with the hardware used.
Additional Tools for Troubleshooting
In troubleshooting problems in Windows, some additional tools are helpful. Here are the two main tools:
Event Viewer
Event Viewer is a tool for accessing and analyzing system logs. Users can view various events, including errors and warnings, in an easy-to-access .etl format.
Main Functions:
– Access logs of important events about system activity.
– Open the logs from another computer with the “Open Saved Log” option.
Event Viewer helps identify invisible issues and provides context for errors.
Online Resources
Finding information and solutions related to error codes through online resources is also important. Many sites and forums offer troubleshooting guides based on user experience.
How to Find a Solution:
– Use error codes from logs or .dmp files for online searches.
– Identify the cause of the problem, such as driver incompatibility or IRQ conflicts.
Conclusion
Understanding Windows logs and BSOD files (Blue Screen of Death) is essential for operating system troubleshooting. Windows logs store information about errors, installations, and app updates, which helps users identify invisible issues.
BSOD files contain details of serious errors that interfere with system functioning, and this information is crucial to finding causes and solutions. With tools such as Event Viewer and BlueScreenView, users can access and analyze logs and .dmp files, which support problem diagnosis and repair. This understanding allows users to be more proactive, improve system stability, and ensure a better experience in Windows.