Published: October 16, 2024
The recent rollout of the highly anticipated Windows 11 24H2 update has hit a bumpy road—specifically, a blue screen of death (BSOD) for users with Western Digital (WD) SSDs. For anyone who thought updates were supposed to make things smoother, this particular hiccup might have you feeling like you've just taken a detour through the Valley of the Crashed PC.
However, it appears that WD’s implementation of HMB in this context is asking for more than Windows can comfortably handle—specifically, a sizable 200MB allocation. In Windows 11 23H2, this feature had a cap of 64MB, which sufficiently masked the underlying issues. With the expansion in the latest update, users’ systems are now straining under the pressure, resulting in those dastardly BSOD alerts.
From there, you can create a DWORD (32-bit) value named HMBAllocationPolicy and set it to 0. What does this do? It disables the HMB feature across all SSDs on your system. While this allows your PC to function without crashing, it essentially robs your SSD of its performance enhancement powers. It’s like trading your sports car for a reliable minivan—practical, but not the joyride you were after.
This story serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities involved in software development—updating an operating system is no small feat, and the stakes are high when millions of users are involved.
Remember, in the world of Windows, smooth sailing can sometimes turn into a bumpy ride when least expected. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep your backups handy. Happy computing!
Source: HotHardware Windows 11 24H2 Update Is Causing BSOD Crashes For PCs With These SSDs
The recent rollout of the highly anticipated Windows 11 24H2 update has hit a bumpy road—specifically, a blue screen of death (BSOD) for users with Western Digital (WD) SSDs. For anyone who thought updates were supposed to make things smoother, this particular hiccup might have you feeling like you've just taken a detour through the Valley of the Crashed PC.
What’s Going Wrong?
Upon updating to Windows 11 24H2, several users began reporting ominous messages like “Critical Process Has Died” or “Kernel Data Inpage Error.” These indicators are not just technical mumbo jumbo—they signal something amiss under the hood, leading to sudden and unwelcome system crashes. On WD's community forums, a chorus of users has shared tales of woe linked to the "stornvme" driver, with many claiming it's the root of their BSOD nightmares.The Culprit: Host Memory Buffer (HMB)
So, what’s causing this mess? The headache stems from something called the Host Memory Buffer (HMB) feature. Ah, the HMB, that little gem of the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) specification, is designed to allow SSDs to allocate a portion of the system's RAM as a buffer, effectively acting as a speed booster. By using this cache, SSDs can reduce unnecessary write cycles, potentially enhancing performance while keeping those memory lanes tidy.However, it appears that WD’s implementation of HMB in this context is asking for more than Windows can comfortably handle—specifically, a sizable 200MB allocation. In Windows 11 23H2, this feature had a cap of 64MB, which sufficiently masked the underlying issues. With the expansion in the latest update, users’ systems are now straining under the pressure, resulting in those dastardly BSOD alerts.
A Temporary Fix (But Not Without Trade-offs)
If you find yourself caught in this web of digital despair, there’s a workaround—albeit one that could leave your SSD’s performance gasping for air. By diving into the Registry Editor, users can navigate to:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\stornvme\Parameters\DeviceFrom there, you can create a DWORD (32-bit) value named HMBAllocationPolicy and set it to 0. What does this do? It disables the HMB feature across all SSDs on your system. While this allows your PC to function without crashing, it essentially robs your SSD of its performance enhancement powers. It’s like trading your sports car for a reliable minivan—practical, but not the joyride you were after.
Microsoft’s Response
In light of this escalating situation, Microsoft is reportedly hitting the pause button on the rollout of Windows 11 24H2 while they scramble to engineer a more permanent solution. No doubt, the last thing they want is a chorus of complaints ringing in their ears from users whose devices suddenly decided to take a long nap with an ominous blue tint.This story serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities involved in software development—updating an operating system is no small feat, and the stakes are high when millions of users are involved.
Why Should You Care?
For Windows users—not just those rocking the WD SSDs—this issue underscores a more significant narrative about the update process itself. The way an update like 24H2 incorporates exciting new features, such as the integration of AI Copilot, can unintentionally lead to pitfalls. It starkly highlights the importance of thoroughly vetting updates, especially when dealing with performance-sensitive hardware.Prevention is Better Than Cure
Before diving headfirst into future updates, consider doing a bit of research—check on forums and community boards for any reported issues. Your SSDs, like vengeful spirits, might just decide to rear their ugly heads if you aren't careful.Conclusion
So there you have it: the Windows 11 24H2 update could leave you staring at a BSOD if you're using a WD SSD. While the temporary workaround will keep your machine functional, it may leave you feeling like your high-speed capabilities have been somewhat curtailed. Microsoft’s pause on the rollout is a prudent step, but for users in the thick of it, it’s a waiting game filled with cautious glances at their system's stability.Remember, in the world of Windows, smooth sailing can sometimes turn into a bumpy ride when least expected. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep your backups handy. Happy computing!
Source: HotHardware Windows 11 24H2 Update Is Causing BSOD Crashes For PCs With These SSDs
