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Every seasoned Windows user is familiar with the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), a notorious sign of critical system errors. One particular error that has emerged as a notable concern is the SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL bug check, denoted by the code 0x00000038. While this error is relatively uncommon, it can disrupt your workflow, often appearing alongside other issues. Fortunately, there exist several methods to remedy this inconvenience.
Understanding the origins of the SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL error can help in preventing its occurrence. Connections to outdated drivers, corrupt system files, malware infections, and hardware problems are the primary culprits. So, it’s essential to maintain your system and regularly check for issues.
What Causes the SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL Error?
Understanding the origins of the SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL error can help in preventing its occurrence. Connections to outdated drivers, corrupt system files, malware infections, and hardware problems are the primary culprits. So, it’s essential to maintain your system and regularly check for issues.- Update All the Drivers Keeping your drivers updated is crucial for maintaining the overall health of your computer's system. Older drivers can lead to incompatibility issues resulting in BSODs. Here’s how to update your drivers manually:
- Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu.
- Select Device Manager.
- Expand the listed entries, right-click on each device, and select Update Driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers and allow Windows to find and install the best available version. If you want the most recent driver versions, visiting the device manufacturer’s website is the best option to download and install them manually. Alternatively, using a dedicated driver updater tool can automate the process, ensuring you always possess the latest drivers. [*Roll Back Recent Driver Updates If you recently updated your drivers and began experiencing problems, reverting to an earlier version may resolve your issues:
- Press Windows + R and type devmgmt.msc, then press Enter.
- Expand the entries, right-click on the problematic device, and navigate to the Driver tab.
- Click on Roll Back Driver, select the reason for rolling back, and proceed with the confirmation. If the option is greyed out, it indicates there may not be a previous version available. [*Check for RAM and Disk Issues Hardware malfunctions, particularly in RAM or the storage disk, can provoke BSOD errors.
- To assess your disk, run the check disk utility:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Enter the command:
chkdsk /rand follow the prompts if a reboot is necessary. Always scrutinize the check disk logs for insights on any found problems. [*For inspecting RAM, utilize the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool: - Search for “Windows Memory Diagnostic”, then click Restart now and check for problems. If a more thorough assessment is needed, tools like MemTest86 can identify RAM-related issues that might be less apparent. [*Repair Corrupt System Files If driver issues and hardware malfunctions have been ruled out, corrupt system files might be to blame. Repairs can be done via the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC):
- Open Run by pressing Windows + R, and type cmd. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run as administrator.
- Execute the following commands one by one:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth- Finally, run:
sfc /scannowRestart your computer once the scans complete. [*Scan the PC for Malware Malware can wreak havoc on your system and potentially trigger BSOD errors. Utilize Windows built-in security features: - Search for Windows Security in the search bar, navigate to Virus & threat protection, select Scan options, and choose Full scan. Allow the system to conduct a thorough scan to eradicate any detected threats. [*Perform a System Restore Reverting your computer to an earlier state where the error was not present can often solve the problem:
- Hit Windows + R, type rstrui.exe, and press Enter.
- Opt for Choose a different restore point and follow prompts to select the desired restore point. The restoration process will maintain your personal files while reverting system settings to a previous state.
- Contact Support or Visit a Repair Shop If all else fails, the issue could stem from hardware problems. Reaching out to the device's support line or visiting a professional repair shop can help debug underlying issues effectively.
Summary and Proactive Steps
The SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL error might be alarming, but following the steps outlined above can help resolve it. Regular maintenance of your system, such as installing updates, running malware scans, and ensuring hardware integrity, can prevent future occurrences. Understanding these errors, alongside proactive system management, will lead to a more stable and efficient Windows experience. For those facing persistent issues that hinder their work, collecting detailed information about the errors, including specific error codes and logs, can be beneficial when seeking technical support. Ultimately, staying informed about your system's health and maintaining an up-to-date backup plan will safeguard against critical errors that disrupt your computing experience. For more in-depth troubleshooting, please refer to the original article: SERIAL_DRIVER_INTERNAL Blue Screen Error: 7 Ways to Fix it.
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