robbiedoug Loc: Cuero, Texas

For the past year or so I have been experiencing the unwelcome blue screen (BSOD) on my computer and don't know what to do about it. My trusted computer tech keeps saying he has corrected the problem, but it keep coming up at the most inopportune times. It is very aggravating and time consuming. Any suggestions or comments?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

If anyone is going to help you will have to post a lot more details: CPU, make, amt of RAM, OS and version (although I presume Windows), HD space free etc. Maybe then someone will answer with something useful.

alvin3232 Loc: Houston, TX

It could be one or two things, software or driver issue. Also when you do get the BSOD, see if you can get the error code or go into your Control Panel, Administrative Tools and Event Viewer. Look at your Windows Logs and see what errors you get. Also can you provide the following information as mention above. CPU type, Intel or AMD, OS type Windows 10 or Windows 7, etc. Ram, Hard drive space. You may need to update some hardware driver etc.

FJS

I had a similar issue that evaded me for over two years and drove me nuts! I even had a Dell service rep replace the CPU board and processor under service contract. There should be a low level diagnostics program in your BIOS accessible with a computer specific key sequence (F2, etc,) on Boot up. Run every diagnostic available. Usually this diagnostic tool will identify hardware problems. but not always. I finally traced it to a bad memory sick that I isolated by removing one of the memory sticks and running the computer for days until the problem did not recur. Fortunately, my computer has 32GB of memory and ran perfectly with one of the 4 sticks removed.

I suggest that you unplug every connector and card including the on-board memory to make sure you do not just have a dirty contact (do the simple things first!). Also, make sure you have the correct memory and compatible memory in all slots.


Second, I would run TrendMicro's HouseCall remote antivirus scan that digs into everything on your computer searching for malware. https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/housecall.html

If that doesn't work, go after the memory removing one stick at a time and running the computer for some period of time longer than the normal frequency of the BSOD. If the problem persists, replace the stick and remove the next one. Alternatively, if you have spare memory sticks, just substitute the spare set for the ones in your computer and see if it fixes the problem.

PS: The BSOD was supposed to have died with DOS 6.22 !!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Consider switching to an Apple system. I have and do not miss the blue screens.

FJS

The only thing Apple in my house is my wife's iPad and that POS has been replaced twice by Apple! Everything they make in MADE IN CHINA with corresponding quality. I still remember compatibility problems with Apple systems and the rest of the world .............

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I had a Windows computer that would do that occasionally. When it happened, I would turn the power off, open it up, loosen the card with the RAM on it and re-seat the card. That would fix the computer for a few months.

repleo Loc: Boston

I had the same problem with my work laptop. It only happened when I was on the network in the office and not when I was working from remote. I think IT updated the BIOS and the drivers and it seems to have solved the problem.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

From your posting it sounds like you have experienced the problem several times and a technician has resolved it several times. Either you keep doing something that brings on the problem or there is something physically wrong with your computer. If your trusted computer tech keeps correcting the same problem then he should have an idea of what's causing the problem. Maybe it's simply time for a new computer, or at least a full OS refresh.

Brokenland

If the system has become unstable, it's best to acquire the image or ISo of win10 of your system. this would mean having to delete/format everything. In order to prepare for this, save everything you want on CD or flash card etc. Download the image copy of Win10 to a flash card just so you have it for future issues. I was wondering however, why you haven't create resort points along the way. this is a quick way of backing up your system to a date which did show the blue screen. and if that didn't work proceed to the ISo copy and format.

It's also suggested that you and anyone else get into a habit to delete files/folders, un-hide files and folders, clean out your temp files, scan your system, defrag, etc. One more thing, in order to minimize these issues in the future, locate the computer's manufacture forum site and post questions there. As a Sr. member if the HP forums I've help others work past many of there issues.

incognito

I had a new PC that after 6 months it kept crashing with the BSOD. After calling tech support we determined that it was bad memory. Doing the diagnostics on the memory the first time run gave multiple errors, other times no errors at all. Replaced the memory and no problems since then.

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

I never think it’s useful when someone makes a comment genuinely requesting help and someone else then posts a condescending remark suggesting they buy something else.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Is there writing on the blue screen? I've had several different messages displayed on blue screens. If the computer tech can't actually find and repair the problem, try what people here have suggested. You could also reinstall Windows, but that's a hassle, to put it mildly. A bad memory card, or one that has to be reseated can cause problems. I've removed and reinstalled memory cards to solve problems.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I know ...I know. Terrible company. No one uses their products.

tuatara Loc: Orig. NZ - currently SF area

One thing that is overlooked often, including service techs, is checking that the heat sink on the CPU is firmly attached. I had a similar issue once and it took a long time to isolate. The CPU over heats and shuts down.

Does this happen more often after long work heavy sessions?