The dreaded blue screens of Windows, known by its acronym in English as BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) are one of the most feared errors for those of us who use this operating system. A sudden interruption, accompanied by a blue background and a cryptic message, can leave us with a heavy heart, especially if we're working on something important. However, these errors aren't as indecipherable as they seem, and with the right tools, it's possible to determine what caused them.
In this article we are going to explain in great detail how you can View BSOD log files in Windows, interpret its messages, what tools to use, and how to respond depending on the type of error detected. If you frequently encounter instability issues on your computer, this guide can be very useful for diagnosing and, in many cases, solve the source of the problem when accessing records.
What exactly is a BSOD and why does it occur?
La blue screen appears when Windows experiences a critical error from which it cannot recover. It is a system security measure to prevent further damage, since when something goes wrong at the system level essential hardware or software, it is preferable for the system to come to a complete stop. The key is to understand that It's not always Windows' fault: many times the cause is a faulty driver, problems with a physical component, conflicts with updates or even malware.
Where are BSOD logs stored?
When one of these errors occurs, the system automatically creates a file called memory dump (memory dump) where the crash details are stored. This file is usually located in the folder C:\Windows\Minidump o %SystemRoot%\MEMORY.DMP, depending on the type of dump configured on your system.
This file contains key information such as the error code, the parameters associated with the failure, and in many cases, the driver or component that caused itAnalyzing this file will allow you to get straight to the point of finding the problem. There are several options for View BSOD log files in Windows, which will help you solve the problem.
How to view system logs with Event Viewer
A first accessible way for users with basic knowledge is use the Windows Event ViewerIn this tool, the system records absolutely every event that occurs, both positive and negative.
To access it, simply go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System. There you'll find entries marked in red with an exclamation point that correspond to serious errors. If you double-click on one of these, you'll see details about the error, including information such as the BugCheck code If it's a BSOD, these codes are crucial to understanding the source of the error, and you can learn more about them in articles about blue screen errors.
BlueScreenView: Fast and effective analysis
One of the most popular tools for analyzing blue screens is BlueScreenView, developed by NirSoft. It's free, lightweight, and portable. All it does is read the files in the Minidump folder and present the data in an organized and understandable manner.
You will be able to see the date and time of the error, the file that caused it (for example ntoskrnl.exe o hidusb.sys), the error code (such as DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE o PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA) and even a list of the drivers currently involved. If you want more information on how to troubleshoot BSODs, check out this article on common BSOD errors.
WinDbg: Deepening technical analysis
If you want to go a step further, Microsoft offers its own set of debugging tools called Debugging Tools for Windows, within the Windows SDK package. These include WinDbg, a powerful tool for analyzing memory dumps at a very technical level.
Once installed, you can open WinDbg and use the option «Open Crash Dump» to load the dump file directly. From there, you can run the command !analyze -v to get a summary of the error with considerable detail. You'll see messages like:
BugCheck 9F, {3, ffffe000f38c06a0, fffff803c596cad0, ffffe000f46a1010}
Probably caused by : hidusb.sysThis provides information about the BugCheck hexadecimal code, Its parameters and which file likely caused the error. This is vital for diagnosing the actual source and better understanding common errors in Windows.
Understanding the most common error codes
There are dozens of stop codes, but some appear frequently. Here's a list of the most common ones:
- CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED: An essential system process has been shut down incorrectly.
- IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: An attempt was made to access a memory address without the appropriate permissions.
- PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA: An invalid memory address was referenced.
- VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED: A problem with the graphics card or its drivers.
- NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM / FAT_FILE_SYSTEM: File system error, probably hard drive related.
- MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION: It is usually linked to physical errors in the processor.
- UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP: Common in overclocking situations or incompatible drivers.
Other complementary tools
In addition to BlueScreenView or WinDbg, there are other applications that can help you find out what's happening on your computer:
- AIDA64: Displays detailed hardware information, ideal for detecting physical failures or overheating.
- HWMonitor: Allows you to control the system temperatures in real time, useful if you suspect overheating.
- MemTest: Analyze the status of your RAM to check for errors in the memory modules.
- CrystalDiskInfo: Diagnostics the status of the hard drive o SSD, key in NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM type errors.
Identify the culprits: drivers, hardware, and more
The most common cause of BSODs (about 75%) are faulty drivers or incorrectly installed. The built-in tool in Windows called Driver Verifier (Driver Verifier), allows you to run them in a controlled manner to detect errors. You can activate it by typing verifier in the line of commands, but use it with caution and preferably knowing how to revert the changes, as it can cause the system to not work. Boot If there are very conflicting drivers. For more information about troubleshooting, you can visit this link about solutions for BSOD problems.
The recent driver updates or even Windows itself can also cause conflicts. Whenever a failure occurs after an update, it's a good idea to uninstall it or roll back to a previous version to see if that's the cause. This can be done from Device Manager, by right-clicking the hardware and using the "Roll Back Driver" option.
Special cases: hard drives, batteries and graphics cards
Errors such as INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE indicate that the system cannot properly access the disk where Windows is installed. This can occur due to physical failures or simply by configuration changes in the BIOS (how to switch from AHCI to IDE without reinstalling the system).
On graphics cards, errors such as VIDEO_DRIVER_INIT_FAILURE o THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER These errors imply that the GPU driver isn't working properly. In these cases, it's a good idea to reinstall it from scratch using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to completely remove all traces and download the latest official version from the manufacturer's website.
Scanning for bad sectors and system files
To detect errors on the hard drive, run from symbol of the system in administrator mode:
chkdsk /f /rThis will scan and repair damaged sectors. If you encounter errors in system files, you can use the command:
sfc /scannowThis command scans Windows system files and replaces any that are corrupted or damaged.
Safe Mode and System Restore
If the error prevents you from booting the system, it is best to boot into safe mode with networking. From there, you can uninstall drivers, restore the system to a previous point, or perform malware scans. To start in this mode, restart your computer and hold down the Shift key while clicking "Restart" from the shutdown icon.
You can also use the Windows installation disc to perform a automatic system repairAs a last resort, you can reinstall the entire operating system after backing up your files, especially if your computer is already severely damaged at the disk level or essential files.
And if everything fails?
If you continue to receive errors after trying all these solutions, the problem may be with a physical component: the CPU, motherboard, power supply, or even persistent malware. Don't rule out consulting an experienced IT technician if you're not getting results, especially if you suspect damage to critical hardware like the processor or hard drives.
Count on updated backups, avoiding overclocking without solid knowledge and keeping drivers updated from official sources is key to avoiding most of these situations. Understanding why BSOD errors occur and how to access their logs can mean the difference between having to forma tear the system or fix the problem in just a few minutes. Fortunately, Windows offers very useful tools for diagnosing these errors, even if you're not an expert. Spending a little time checking drivers, performing hardware tests, and learning how to use programs like BlueScreenView or WinDbg can save you a lot of headaches and lost days of work.
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