Windows 7: Analyze crashes

Windows 7 is a stable operating system, but even this OS has crashes every now and then that you can analyze. We'll explain how to do it best.

Show blue screen longer on Windows 7

In the event of a crash, Windows 7 shows the blue screen for a few seconds, but then restarts. This is too short to filter the important information in the messages. To extend the display duration, proceed as follows:

1. Go to the "Control Panel" via the Windows symbol at the bottom left.
2. There, click on "System and Security" and then on "System".
3. Now select the entry "Advanced system settings" in the left bar.
4. In the "Advanced" tab, click on "Settings" in the "Startup and Recovery" area.
5. In the "System error" area, remove the check mark next to "Carry out automatic restart".
6. Now you can calmly write down what the blue screen reports should the error occur again.

The most common error messages about crashes

Blue screens have become much rarer since Windows 7, but they still exist. Mostly it is a driver or hardware problem. The error message itself usually says a lot. Get an overview of the important information with the attached picture. These messages are particularly common:

• INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE: A problem with accessing data carriers, in this case the system partition. An incompatible BIOS, a controller driver or physical damage to the hard disk may be responsible for the error.
• UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP: This message almost always indicates a problem with the hardware. Reasons for this can be newly installed devices, heat problems, defective RAM modules or an unstable power supply.
• PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA: Indicates faulty memory management. Triggers are often defective, overclocked, mutually incompatible or overheated memory chips.
• IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: This error code is mostly triggered by incompatible drivers, as well as by an overheated or overclocked CPU.

Track recent changes before crashes

• If you still know which settings you last changed, you can try them out.
• Any newly installed programs can be responsible for a crash. Uninstall it again and test if problems continue.
• If you have installed a new driver, you have to use extended Windows functions.

System recovery after crashes

Use System Restore to restore the computer to a condition where it was still working properly.

1. Open the "Control Panel".
2. Click "Backup and Restore".
3. Then select "Restore system settings to the computer".
4. Then click on "Open System Restore".
5. Follow the wizard and choose a time when the PC was still working.

Overheating and bad hardware can cause crashes

• Excessively high temperatures can lead to crashes. Check this in the BIOS or with the free software Speedfan, which reads all temperatures directly while Windows is running.
• You can test unreliable power supplies with a voltage tester.
• You can determine unfavorable RAM combinations or defective RAM with Memtest.
• You can monitor your hard drive with HDD Health.

Use the Windows 7 event viewer for error analysis

Windows logs errors in the so-called event log.

• The easiest way to access the tool is to enter "eventvwr.msc" in the Run dialog.
• Otherwise, look for "Administrative Tools" in the Control Panel and click on "Show Event Logs".
• For an overview of system stability, the entries under "Event Viewer (Local), Windows Logs" are interesting.
• The "application log" contains messages generated by programs.
• The "system log" stores general system errors.
• General events have a blue info icon, warnings have a yellow exclamation mark, critical errors have a clearly visible "X" on a red background.
• Unfortunately, the information on the causes is often incomprehensible, which is why the event viewer is only suitable for an overview of the frequency of crashes. Hard disk errors are, however, easy to recognize: For example, if problems with reading or writing to device "\ Device \ Harddisk0" are reported, a disk crash on the primary data carrier may be imminent.

This practical tip shows you how to switch off error reporting in Windows 7.