Windows 7 Crashes - Any Fixes?

[Dragonlady]

I have a brand new computer with all of the bells and whistles, including Windows 7 Pro operating system. The problem is that the system randomly crashes.

First the screen goes black for a couple of seconds and then a blue "dump" screen comes on saying the system is collecting information for the dump file, and then it reboots.

I did a Google search and found this problem is not unique to my computer and all kinds of people are reporting the same problem I'm having. Does anyone here know of a simple, reliable fix for this issue?

I told my new boss this is the best place ever for computer assistance, so I'm counting on the amazing posters at FSU.

[soxxy]

I told my new boss this is the best place ever for computer assistance, so I'm counting on the amazing posters at FSU.

Well, they may be having their own computer issues today Have you called the manufacturer's tech support? (FWIW, I have Windows' Vista which crashed about eight hours ago, but it came back quickly, on its own.)

[tarotx]

When I upgraded my computer from XP to vista -it had a similar issue and I found out I had drivers that weren't compatible so I had to erase my whole hard drive and reinstall Vista. I know your computer is new but did you install old software perhaps? Did you recently install anything new? It could be a hardware issue as well. I had a bad HD once and it kept doing something similar as well.

[barbk]

ummm.... get a mac?

[Simone411]

There was a discussion about crashes with Windows 7 on a tech board I'm a member of. It sounds like the drivers need to be updated. Here's an article I found about how to update the drivers in Windows 7 using the device manager.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixthe...-windows-7.htm

Here's another article on how to use the device manager. Screenshots are included.

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-up...ers-instantly/

[MarieM]

Windows 7 is amazingly stable : update your drivers and you'll be just fine.
It's a bit surprising if it's a new computer : it means the reseller didn't do his job !

[WindSpirit]

That's strange that a brand new computer would have those issues. If you get a computer with a particular operating system, it should already be optimized for it. I upgraded my OP myself, from Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit and didn't have any major problems. I hope updating the drivers will help. Windows 7 is a very stable OP.

ummm.... get a mac?

Seriously, for some people Apple is like religion. I remember when I was buying my computer and asked very specific questions about a few of its components, I got at least one "Buy a Mac" too. I did state that I had already decided on that particular company and model, to no avail. Some of you are like Jehovah's Witnesses who will show up at the door unannounced ready to spread the word no one asked you about.

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

Seriously, for some people Apple is like religion. I remember when I was buying my computer and asked very specific questions about a few of its components, I got at least one "Buy a Mac" too. I did state that I had already decided on that particular company and model, to no avail. Some of you are like Jehovah's Witnesses who will show up at the door unannounced ready to spread the word no one asked you about.

I'd rep ya if I could.

I hope you figure out what the problem is. Windows 7 has been working like a dream for me. When my dad upgraded my computer, he wiped my whole hard drive clean. Said there would be issues and conflicts with any remnants of previous operating systems otherwise.

[kosjenka]

Well ever since I switched to Mac my life became much more easier. No bugs no crashes.
That being said - I think you should contact the reseller - because a brand new computer with Windows 7 should not be crashing. Windows 7 is much more stable than Vista and is a huge improvement from any other OS by Microsoft.

The cheapest switch is to Linux. I wonder why people are not more prone to Linux.

[MarieM]

WIN7 is fantastic. It's been running non stop on my computer, 24h a day, for the past 6 months without a SINGLE crash !!
And it's not even a brand new computer, I just had to change some parts !

[Aceon6]

I have a brand new computer with all of the bells and whistles, including Windows 7 Pro operating system. The problem is that the system randomly crashes.

One thing I just thought of... if it's brand new, it may still have all the crapware on it. Get PC DeCrapifier or something similar and remove all the stuff that you won't use, ESPECIALLY extra security software. Of course, the system has to stay booted for a while, but booting in safe mode should allow you to get the junk off.

[Dragonlady]

One thing I just thought of... if it's brand new, it may still have all the crapware on it. Get PC DeCrapifier or something similar and remove all the stuff that you won't use, ESPECIALLY extra security software. Of course, the system has to stay booted for a while, but booting in safe mode should allow you to get the junk off.

The computer is brand new but our IT guy already removed all of the crapware from it. It has been professionally configured and is completely devoid of junk programs.

Getting a different computer is not an option so saying "get a Mac" is of no value. I guess I should have made it clear that this is an office computer, not my personal computer.

My boss thinks that our IT guy is turning this problem into an annuity for his children and when he sent us an email suggesting another afternoon in our office to fix it, at $75+ per hour, my boss balked at spending still more money on the issue. I hasten to add that our IT guy has been here numerous times already trying to sort it out and still the problem persists.

[Aceon6]

I hasten to add that our IT guy has been here numerous times already trying to sort it out and still the problem persists.

Might be hardware, then. Since it's still under warranty, see if you can send it back for a replacement.

[barbk]

Seriously, for some people Apple is like religion. I remember when I was buying my computer and asked very specific questions about a few of its components, I got at least one "Buy a Mac" too. I did state that I had already decided on that particular company and model, to no avail. Some of you are like Jehovah's Witnesses who will show up at the door unannounced ready to spread the word no one asked you about.

You did notice the wink next to the suggestion, right?

I wasn't seriously suggesting that she dump her brand new computer for a Mac. (Though it would certainly solve this specific problem. )

[BigB08822]

I can fix this. Get a Mac!

[myhoneyhoney]

Macs still crash or else there wouldn't be any sites like this!

[pp55]

First, you need to know what causes the crashes.

Here are a few tips.
- Go to Start and type in "perfmon /report" (without the quotes) and press Enter
- Go to Start and type in "perfmon /rel" (without the quotes) and press Enter

In Vista there was another command/program: "wercon" (not included in Win7).
In Win7 you can also do this:
- Open Action Center by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, and then, under System and Security, clicking Review your computer's status.

These reports may show you which program(s) or device(s) caused the crashes. However, if there is hardware problem, you may not get proper reports.

[WindSpirit]

You did notice the wink next to the suggestion, right?

I wasn't seriously suggesting that she dump her brand new computer for a Mac. (Though it would certainly solve this specific problem. )

It doesn't matter. It's still annoying, but most of all, it's completely off topic. And it gets old, very old. People ask specific questions about PCs and there's always someone telling them to get a Mac.

I looked up the thread I mentioned when I was buying a new computer, and got "Get a Mac" in it too. Does it look like I wasn't sure what to buy?

I had done my research and decided on the computer I'm getting before starting this thread and I said so in the first post, so I was rather surprised by inquires why I wasn't getting a Mac, or ad hoc mentions that their customer service is great. If, say, Land Rover had one of the best customer service in the world I still wouldn't buy it. I'm just not interested in Land Rovers. Simple as that.

And Dragonlady has already bought her computer and it wasn't a Mac, so let's just assume she knew what she wanted.

ETA: It's her work computer, so maybe she didn't want it, but she can't change it, either.

[Carolla5501]

The computer is brand new but our IT guy already removed all of the crapware from it. It has been professionally configured and is completely devoid of junk programs.

Getting a different computer is not an option so saying "get a Mac" is of no value. I guess I should have made it clear that this is an office computer, not my personal computer.

My boss thinks that our IT guy is turning this problem into an annuity for his children and when he sent us an email suggesting another afternoon in our office to fix it, at $75+ per hour, my boss balked at spending still more money on the issue. I hasten to add that our IT guy has been here numerous times already trying to sort it out and still the problem persists.

It's been professional configured by an IT guy who gets $75 a hour to "fix" it when it doesn't work after his configuration. Can I get this job? Perhaps your boss should balk at this IT company?

Now do you use McAfee? Because if so it could be "attacking" the operating system. Make sure you have the most recent update. We had a problem with this recently. We aren't on 7 but..

(I have 7 at home and have never had a crash... sorry!)

[pat c]

I installed 7 on my laptop and it's worked very well. I'm with the rest that say, look at your drivers, I'd guess that's where the problem is. As for your IT guy? I want his job.