Windows Vista - Blue Screen Errors (STOP Errors)

Overview

A STOP error (commonly called a Windows blue screen error) is an error displayed by the Microsoft Windows Operating System, after encountering a critical system error. STOP errors can be caused by poorly written device drivers, faulty memory, a corrupt Registry, or incompatible DLLs.

In Windows Vista, a STOP error occurs when the kernel or a driver running in kernel mode encounters an error from which it cannot recover. The only safe action the operating system can take in this situation is to restart the computer. As a result, data may be lost, as users are not given an opportunity to save data that has not yet been saved to the hard drive.

STOP error messages are identified by a "0x", followed by an 8-digit hexadecimal number, but also commonly written in a shorthand notation; e.g., a STOP 0x0000000A may also be written Stop 0xA. However, for reporting purposes, use the full 8-digit code. Up to four additional 8-digit hex numbers may appear in parentheses, usually unique to your computer and the particular situation.

In addition, a specific "Stop Error" may be displayed after the hex number (for example, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL)

Typical Symptoms

  • Constant rebooting of the computer resulting in not being able to get into the operating system.
  • Computer restarts while inside operating system.
  • If computer restarts with "Restarting on system failure / Automatic restart on system failure" disabled, the computer goes to a Blue Error Screen.

Following is a list of common blue screen errors and STOP codes:

The most important information is the error message and the STOP code highlighted in the linked graphic.
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Turn off automatic restart.

In many cases, a blue screen will appear for a moment, and then the computer will restart. This is because Windows is set to restart automatically when a STOP error occurs. This setting can be changed in a couple of ways, depending upon whether Windows can be started or not.

By default, Windows Vista will automatically restart on a system failure and keep restarting. To stop Vista from automatically restarting, perform the following steps:

  1. At the Gateway splash screen, continually press F8 until the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears..
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  2. At the Windows Advanced Menu Options screen, select Disable automatic restart on system failure and press the ENTER key.

  3. Next, select the operating system to start. (there should only be one selection here), and press ENTER.

  4. The computer attempts to go into Windows. A blue screen appears.

  5. Check all related issues. If an appropriate issue document is located and the procedures are performed, document the issue number in the appropriate Siebel or Helix service request within the session comments field.

  6. Go to the troubleshooting steps listed on the left, depending upon what the STOP error is. If the STOP error code showing on the monitor is not listed here, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base using the Stop error code.

    7. Note: Microsoft has documentation on most Windows STOP error codes and how to troubleshoot them at the following location - http://support.microsoft.com/search/. Use the Search feature to search for the STOP code that appears on the display. For example, type 0x0000007B in the search box and press ENTER to search for the 0x0000007B error.

  7. If, after following the checklist the STOP error is not resolved, follow the current policies and procedures for reloading the operating system.

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE (STOP 0x0000007B)

This error can be caused during the Setup process if the SATA mode of the boot drive is not set properly and the SATA driver is disabled.

To fix this error, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976/en-us

You may also receive this error message if one or more of the following conditions are true:

  • The hard disk is faulty.
  • The hard disk cabling is faulty, or the hard disk cabling is not connected correctly.
  • The computer is infected with a boot sector virus.
  • The computer BIOS or the disk controller firmware are incompatible with Windows Vista.
  • Another program is using the master boot record.

To fix the error in this situation, see the following Knowledge Base article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935806/en-us

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA (STOP 0x00000050)

This problem typically occurs very early in the startup process. For example, the problem may occur shortly after the splash screen appears, and you see a black screen with a moving progress bar. Specifically, this problem typically occurs when the system tries to load the i8042prt.sys driver. The problem only occurs in certain hardware configurations.

To fix this error, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939720/en-us

This error may also occur if the computer has a media card reader, and a card is inserted into the reader.

To fix this error, see the following Microsoft Knowledge base article
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938239/en-us

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (STOP 0x0000000A)

This error may occur if the following conditions are true:

  • The computer uses more than 3 GB of RAM.
  • The computer uses a storage system that is running the Storport miniport driver.
  • The computer uses a controller that uses 32-bit direct memory access (DMA).
  • The computer has an NVIDIA chipset.

To fix this error, install update 929777 by using Windows Update, or by downloading the update from the following location:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929777/en-us

In the case of a portable computer, this error may occur if the computer is started or restarted when the lid is closed. To fix this error, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941507/en-us

KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (STOP 0x0000008E)

This error is caused by malicious software (malware) such as viruses and spyware. Use the antivirus or antispyware application installed on the computer, or use Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove the malware. The instructions for using Microsoft's tool are located here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/890830/en-us

If this error is generated during the setup of Windows Vista, be sure all external devices are unplugged from the system (except for keyboard and mouse) and retry Setup. If the error continues, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article at the following location:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935806/en-us

(STOP 0x0000C1F5)

This error is not covered in a Microsoft Knowledge Base article, but has been known to occur. Research has shown that the following procedures have been successful in resolving the error. Please follow these steps in the order given, checking after each one to see if the problem reoccurs.

  1. Run System File Checker. Perform this procedure only if you can start Windows. If you cannot, go to Procedure 3.

    1. Click Start, in Start Search box, type cmd.

    2. From Programs list above, right-click cmd.exe, then select Run as administrator.

    3. At UAC screen, enter administrator password or click continue.

    4. At prompt, type sfc /scannow.

      5. View Picture

    5. System File Checker starts running. Time required to run is dependant on size of drive and amount of files.

      6. View Picture

    6. When completed, type: Exit at prompt, then press Enter.

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    7. The CMD.exe dialog box closes, restart computer.

  2. Run Bootrec.exe /FixMbr. To run the Bootrec.exe tool, you must start WinRE. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Place the Windows Vista installation disk in the optical drive, then restart the computer.

    2. When prompted, press a key to boot from the DVD.

    3. Select a language, time and currency, a keyboard or input method (if necessary), then click Next.

    4. Click Repair your computer.

    5. Click the operating system to repair, then click Next.

    6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.

    7. At prompt, type bootrec /fixmbr, then press ENTER.

    8. Restart computer.

  3. For desktop computers, open the case and reseat hard drive cables and memory. For notebook computers, reseat the hard drive and memory. Refer to the instructions in the User's Guide.

  4. Contact technical support.

Note: If these procedures do not resolve the error, follow the procedures given in the Knowledge Base article at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us.

STOP Error code not listed

If the STOP error code showing on the monitor is not listed here, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base using the Stop error code.

Note: Microsoft has documentation on most Windows STOP error codes and how to troubleshoot them. Go to http://support.microsoft.com/search/ for information from Microsoft. Using the Search feature, search for the STOP code that appears on the display. For example, type 0x0000007B in the search box and press ENTER to search for the 0x0000007B error.

If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: