I recently received a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message on a Windows computer. However, after restarting the computer and adjusting the BIOS settings, the BSOD error still showed up, but the computer rebooted so quickly that I didn’t have time to parse the specific BSOD error codes.
In other words, the BSOD screen will only display for a second or so before Windows automatically restarts. Thus, I was unable to get the specific error codes required to diagnose the BSOD error.
Here is a little advice not only for those who have encountered BSOD, but also for those who have not.
Disable automatic restart after system failure
Start by opening the Start menu and navigating to Control Panel. Then select the System list in the control panel to go to the System panel.
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In the System window, select the Advanced System Settings option located on the left side of the window.
Finally, click on the Options button listed on the Startup and Recovery tab, Advanced System Properties.
This will launch the Startup and Repair panel, where you have to uncheck the Auto Restart box and click OK to apply.
This simple tip will prevent Windows from restarting automatically in the event of a BSOD error. It was mentioned above that even those without BSOD error should also uncheck this box.
I didn’t have the box unchecked when I got the BSOD error on Windows PC. Also, Windows did not boot in Safe Mode, so I could not access the desktop to disable automatic restart. So Windows kept rebooting and queuing BSODs. In this case, Windows will, of course, not respond to the normal Windows Start option.
Since the computer did not have a CD / DVD drive that could accept a Windows recovery disc, I eventually reinstalled Windows via a USB stick.
If Auto Restart is disabled, Windows will stop at BSOD so you can flag any specific error codes. Of course, you can also restart your computer simply by holding down the power button.
Before performing a full reinstallation of Windows, you should also try to boot from the recovery options screen and troubleshoot with the tools available there. Also read my post on what to do if you are having trouble accessing Safe Mode in Windows
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