Awesome crash analysis software

[fastco]

For those interested in analyzing their own Windows crashes this software is free and does the minidump reading and analysis for you, nothing to open except the program. Download WhoCrashed

Get it here

The first time you run it it will ask you to let you download the latest Windows Debugging tool and it will do all the work for you.

;-)

Example analysis::


On Wed 6/30/2010 3:18:45 PM your computer crashed
This was likely caused by the following module: usbhub.sys
Bugcheck code: 0xFE (0x8, 0x6, 0x6, 0xFFFFFA80045A9000)
Error: BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER
Dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini063010-01.dmp
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys
product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
company: Microsoft Corporation
description: Default Hub Driver for USB
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your system configuration may be incorrect, possibly the culprit is in another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 crash dumps have been found and analyzed. Note that it's not always possible to state with certainty whether a reported driver is really responsible for crashing your system or that the root cause is in another module. Nonetheless it's suggested you look for updates for the products that these drivers belong to and regularly visit Windows update or enable automatic updates for Windows. In case a piece of malfunctioning hardware is causing trouble, a search with Google on the bug check errors together with the model name and brand of your computer may help you investigate this further.

 

[Broni]

WhoCrashed is indeed a nice program, but that site also advertise some registry tools, which are absolutely not recommended.
You don't even mention program's name, so it may be confusing for less experienced computer users.

 

[bobcat]

Thanks, it’s comforting to have this around in case it’s needed. Though crash analysis can be carried out by TS experts, it’s nice to be able to do something yourself as well.

I won’t install it yet, but save it for the occasion. Do you happen to know whether there is also a portable version of the tool?

 

[fastco]

Doh.....Added the name of the program. (Thanks Broni)

I have not seen a portable version of this software.

 

[Broni]

There is also another free program like this one and it's portable

BlueScreenView (in Zip file)
No installation required.
Unzip downloaded file and double click on BlueScreenView.exe file to run the program.

 

[bobcat]

Well, thanks to you too Broni, this portable tool is just ideal, as I stopped installing further programs on my jam-packed PC. NirSoft is also a well known developer and there are an awful lot of useful programs at its site.

 

[Broni]

You're very welcome