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    Starting up a computer that just crashed

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by lnknprkn, Jun 18, 2009.

  1. lnknprkn

    lnknprkn Notebook Consultant

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    When a computer crashes, is there any log file that tells me what just happened and what caused the crash? I think it has something to do with the event viewer but I'm not sure how to use it since there seems to be a bunch of events everywhere
     
    lnknprkn, Jun 18, 2009
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  2. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    Note the time of the crash, go to event viewer, look in APPLICATIONS and SYSTEM.

    XP is simpler, and its easier to find errors, but not as informative, while Vista is a bit more daunting to work through, but supplies more information
     
    gerryf19, Jun 18, 2009
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  3. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    It depends on the "crash". If you get the dreaded blue screen of death, then there is no entry in the logs. You MIGHT see some event in the log that was a precusror to the BSOD, but most likely you won't.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Jun 18, 2009
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  4. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    As gerry said; note the time the event occured then go to Event Viewer and look through the Application and System Logs. What you should sort by is the time and the Red errors.
     
    makaveli72, Jun 18, 2009
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  5. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    sometimes, the yellow exclamation marks preceding the red Xs will provide a clue too
     
    gerryf19, Jun 18, 2009
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  6. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It depends, I always check the error logs after a crash, typically if it was a software problem that did not cause you to have to reboot your computer then there will be an entry if however, the crash caused you to have to reboot your computer then there may be no entry, of course you can always look for possible precursors for the crash in the event logs, but again, you may not find any.
     
    usapatriot, Jun 18, 2009
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  7. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    If you get the BSOD, make sure you write down whatever message/error code(s) are displayed; some of those codes cover a wide range of sins, unfortunately, but some are sufficiently specific that knowing the meaning of the code will usually narrow down the cause of the crash.
     
    Shyster1, Jun 18, 2009
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