BSOD

[BobT]

Three year old Dell PC.

Windows Vista Home Premium, 32-bit, SP2.

A couple days ago we began experiencing BSOD errors. So far they seem random as I have not detected any pattern or correlation to events. I figured out how to configure it so it wouldn't automatically restart so the screen would display long enough to read the error message.

The error was DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE. I've installed a freeware from Cnet called BlueScreenView that is capable of reading the minidump files and it indicates that the error seems to be coming from a file named ntkrnlap.exe.

I have run the following malware programs.

AVG Free

Malwarebytes

Ad-Aware

Spybot Search & Destroy

Ccleaner

No viral threats found. Couple tracking cookies found and I cleaned them. Ccleaner found a couple items. I saved a backup and fixed them.

Installed FreeWindowRegistryRepair from Cnet and it found over 2,500 items. I created a restore point and then fix them.

My next thought is to try running chkdsk /f /p.

If that isn’t successful I will try to revert to a restore point from last Saturday.

Dell sets up a D: partition they use as a system backup. I thought I could try to find the ntkrnlap.exe file and copy it to the C: drive location. I will rename the existing file first so I don’t overwrite it but will leave it in there plus make a copy somewhere else just in case.

After that I thought I’d try using the OS installation CD and see if there is the option to fix the operating software program. After that I might be forced to reinstall the operating system.

If I have to go that far, is there any way to do that without losing all my other existing application software? I’ve got three years of installations to deal with.

Any other thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[upnorth]

Try this Bob

Microsoft fix

If that doesn't do it, I would back up your data and do a reload/restore.

[BobT]

I already have the SP2 installed. Are you thinking I might solve this by reinstalling it? Can I reinstall a service pack?

Note: I don't seem to get this problem just because it wakes up from sleep mode. I could try disabling that feature in my power scheme and see if the problem goes away though. Maybe it is still related.

[upnorth]

I would start by re-installing the service designated for your version of Vista. If that doesn't do it try making sure you are using the latest drivers listed by Dell, not what windows update installs for your PC. If that doesn't do it, dumping the sleep mode/hibernate settings. I have seen them bung up PCs in the past.

[spearchucker]

You should have SP3 installed. MS is not supporting SP2 anymore. This will reinstall and update any missing drivers or corrupt system files.

Your problem is driver related. Upnorth is on the right track for troubleshooting this. Be carefull with all the registry cleaners and whatnot. I have seen them screw up more than one system.

[BobT]

I didn't know there was an SP3 for Vista out yet.

Quote:

service designated for your version of Vista. If that doesn't do it try making sure you are using the latest drivers listed by Dell,

This is where I get a little lost. What do you mean by "service" and where do I find it? Does Dell list their drivers on their HSOforum? I've been trying to find information pertaining to the drivers but no luck so far.

Also, I've had my PC configured to use sleep mode pretty much since I got it. If that turns out to be the problem, why would it now suddenly be a problem? Not doubting you, just trying to understand it logically speaking.

[spearchucker]

Sorry Bob, I read it as XP Home instead of Vista Home. I would try to restore back to a date when you know it was working. You may also have a piece of hardware that is failing in some way.

[LMITOUT]

I've had more issues with sleep/hibernate mode over the years than it's worth.

[BobT]

Thanks for all the help guys. It is appreciated.

When I got home from work today I did some digging and found out how to run chkdsk on Vista. It was pretty easy actually. The results page indicated that it did make some repairs but that's about all I understood about what I read.

After rebooting I discovered that I was having some problems loading at least one device driver and then learned that I was no longer able to pair my phone to the PC using Bluetooth. My first gut reaction was that the registry repair software removed something it shouldn't have so I opened the software and restored the registry from the backup file. Then I proceeded to remove the application. Note to self....Don't do that again!

After that I opened the Backup And Restore utility and restored my PC back to last Saturday's restore point. I know everything was working fine over the weekend until Tuesday.

I noticed that there was another restore point made on Monday due to a windows update that was installed. I wonder if maybe that update got corrupted during the installation. Thinking that could be possible that was another reason I chose to go back as far as Saturday.

So far things seem to be working okay but the problem was intermittent and so I won't feel confident until it works for a day or two without issue.

Wish me luck.

[upnorth]

Bob I meant service pack, little distracted at work. But I would really suggest the Dell drivers over what windows sends out, if nothing to rule it out. I have had a few PCs get a bit Wonky with Windows drivers.

You should be able to go to Dells site and enter your service tag and get the driver for your PC. Can't remember exactly where the stuff resides, but they are they. I just went there site and down at the bottom of the first screen there is a link under support for drivers. It asks you for your service tag there.

I have never been much of a fan of sleep mode. Might be better with Vista, but could easily turn problematic with XP.

[spearchucker]

Upnorth,

This is a little off topic, but sleep and hibernate is working much better in Vista and especially Windows 7. I am running Windows 7 Professional 64bit and I rarely shutdown, I just put the computer to sleep. Mine draws the exact same power in sleep as when I shutdown (1-2 watts), but I can wakeup and login from sleep within about 3-5 seconds. I love it.

BobT, hopefully you will be good to go now. The restore should have restored your resistry as well.

[upnorth]

Yeah, Most of my experience with sleep or hibernate has been with XP. Vista has been kinda the same as Millennium nobody in industry has really went with it. Last place I worked we refused to support any home/remote user who purchased either, if you insisted on purchasing it, you were on your own for support. I need to get my hands on 7, I have yet to use it.

[BobT]

My computer has been working better the last couple days so hopefully things will continue normally. I have one new problem now though. Yesterday my computer stopped recognizing our printer. I tried using different USB ports without luck. I swapped ports with other peripherals and so I know the ports are good.

I deleted the printer applications and drivers and reinstalled them from the CD but no go. Finally, I went to the Epson HSOforum and downloaded the latest drivers from there. Now it appears that my computer recognizes the printer but it thinks the printer is turned off or something because I get a message that says my printer isn't ready. My printer seems to be functional otherwise. It's an all-in-one with fax, copy, and scan functions. I tried making a copy and that works fine. If this was the equipment I work with at my job, I'd be inclined to think I needed to reinstall the printer's firmware.

My wife reminded me of something yesterday that might be pointing to the cause of my problems. On Tuesday morning we had a thunderstorm roll through here. Nothing violent but there was one lightning strike that hit here in the yard. Way too close for my comfort. I am now starting to wonder if that strike caused some problems because Tuesday was also the day things started to act up.

With the electronic equipment I work with every day, I've seen some pretty strange things happen simply because someone was welding somewhere in the building and there was a continuous conductive path to the PLC processors. I remember one time when a customer called and said they could jog and manual cycle their machine but not run in automatic mode. A thunderstorm rolled through during the previous night. I told them that there is only about one or two things that could cause that problem and it would be a programming thing so I asked if it was possible someone made a change. They informed me they didn't even have the ability to connect online with the PLC to make a change so we sent a technician to have a look. Turned out the address of a programmed instruction was scrambled into characters he said he couldn't have created. He readdressed the instruction and everything began to work fine again.

I hope I don't have to replace my printer but I guess at $80 it wouldn't be the end of the world. If anyone has any other thoughts, I'm all ears.

Thanks.

Edit: Oh yes, one other thing. For the time being I'm no longer using sleep mode. I like to run the PC 24/7 so to save power I still turn off the monitor and hard drives but I don't let it go into sleep mode. I do have it programmed to shut down once a week for reboot as it is my understanding this is a good thing to do.

[upnorth]

Not sure if you have tried this yet, but unplug the printer and let it sit for a few minutes and plug it back in. You would be surprised how often something like that works. But don't just turn it off, make sure you unplug the power and let it sit.

[BobT]

Actually, we went on vacation to Branson, MO two weeks ago and then ended up traveling to Peoria, IL for a funeral. One of the fellows with us passed away from a heart attack last Friday. We just got home this afternoon. Before we left on our vacation I shut down and unplugged everything. My printer is still not working. I'm beginning to suspect there is a problem with the printer itself. I've been in contact with Epson about this and at this point their best suggestion was to try connecting it to another PC to see if it will work. I don't have another PC so I'm not sure how I can do this yet.

[BobT]

Final report. My neighbor helped me out by letting me install the printer on their PC. Same problem. Couldn't recognize it. It would seem the printer is toast.

PC appears to be fine with no side effects. I guess if something was to take the hit, the printer was a less expensive target.

Thanks for all the help. It was appreciated.

[Grant]

Blue shirt of death?

[pureinsanity]

Disable the automatic reboot on error and you will be able to get the exact error code for the blue screen of death and you can do some research on it.

[Shack]

Upnorth,

This is a little off topic, but sleep and hibernate is working much better in Vista and especially Windows 7. I am running Windows 7 Professional 64bit and I rarely shutdown, I just put the computer to sleep. Mine draws the exact same power in sleep as when I shutdown (1-2 watts), but I can wakeup and login from sleep within about 3-5 seconds. I love it.

BobT, hopefully you will be good to go now. The restore should have restored your resistry as well.

I had issues using sleep & hibernate with Vista like LIMIT said. Sometimes it would not wake up and other times it would. I always figured it was an error or setting not right on my part.

Windows 7, sleep IMO is the bomb. It even wakes when set to movement sensed from the mouse of touch pad.

Mouse wake: Start menu search: "Device Manager", drop down "Mice and other pointing devices", right click your mouse>Properties>Power Management>Allow this device to wake computer>Click check mark>Click OK.

The other killer with Vista and has changed with Windows 7 was shutting the lid or plugging in when the battery just went below the set in sleep battery level. If you set it right, shutting the lid will either do nothing or go in sleep mode for an easy wakeup.

Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Power Options>System Setting.

I hated how Vista locked in sleep mode when the lid was shut by accident.