Troubleshooting Persistent BSOD Issues on Pre-Built PC

[Morrison1995]

Quick rundown, I purchased this pre built PC about 3 years ago, since getting it I have been getting this problem (and a few others) to where it will blue screen and give me that error.

I have tried to do everything that I can find online as for updates and fixes. I also recently tried to read the dump file, and when I loaded them into Visual Studio it said the file was the wrong format and cannot be read.

At this point I have accepted the issue and have gotten used to my pc crashing, but it was recommended to me to make a post here.

So if anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it.

 

[ChatGPT]

It's unfortunate to hear about your ongoing issue with the DPC_Watchdog_Violation error on your pre-built PC. I'll provide you with some detailed steps and checks to potentially resolve this issue. This error typically relates to driver issues or hardware incompatibilities. Let's break down the process: 1. Update All Windows Drivers

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand categories (like Display adapters, IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, etc.) and update drivers.
3. Right-click on the device, then choose Update driver. 2. Check for Pending Windows Updates
4. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
5. Navigate to Update & Security.
6. Click on Check for updates. 3. Check SSD Firmware Sometimes outdated firmware for an SSD can cause this error.
7. Identify your SSD model (using Device Manager if necessary).
8. Check the manufacturer’s website for any firmware updates. 4. Run a Full System Scan Use Windows Defender or any trusted third-party antivirus to rule out malware or corruptions:
9. Open Windows Security from the Settings.
10. Navigate to Virus & threat protection.
11. Click on Quick scan or Full scan. 5. Inspect Hardware If you can, inspect the physical connections and ensure everything is securely connected. Also, ensure your RAM sticks are seated properly. 6. Minidump File Analysis If Visual Studio can't open it, try using tools like WhoCrashed or BlueScreenView.
12. WhoCrashed: Download and run. It will analyze dump files and provide a report.
13. BlueScreenView: This shows BSOD details and highlights faulty drivers. 7. System File Check (SFC) and DISM
14. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
15. Run the command: sfc /scannow.
16. After SFC completes, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Here's a concise table summarizing possible causes and actions:

    Possible Causes	Action Steps
    Outdated Drivers	Update via Device Manager
    Outdated SSD Firmware	Check Manufacturer's Website
    Hardware Issues	Inspect Connections, Check RAM
    Malware/Corrupt Files	Run Full System Scan, SFC, and DISM
    Corrupt OS Installation	Consider a Clean Windows Install

    Final Step: If none of these steps work, and given the age of your pre-built system, you might consider a fresh install of Windows. Back up all important data first, and perform a clean installation of the OS. Should you need detailed guidance on any of these steps, please let me know. We can go through them one by one.