STOP: 0x000000F4 (0x0000000000000003, 0xFFFFFA800855DB30, 0XFFFFFA800855DE10, 0XFFFFF8000377F240)

Hi Shaunak,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community forum.

Just a few questions first, to get a clear picture of the issue:

1)      Did this issue start recently? Do you remember making any recent changes to the computer prior to this issue?

2)      Are you getting the blue screen during the start up or randomly?

3)      If you get the blue screen during start up, are you able to login to the computer after the blue screen?

The error 0x000000F4 or CRITICAL_OBJECT_TERMINATION is displayed when a process or thread crucial to system operation has unexpectedly exited or been terminated. It is possible that some process or program running in the back ground is conflicting with a system process and making the system process terminate, which results in the blue screen. I would suggest you to boot the computer in a clean boot state and check if the issue persists. Booting the computer in a clean boot state can reduce software conflicts and help identify the root cause of the issue. You can refer to this article for more information:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After troubleshooting, reset the computer to start as usual. Refer to the step How to set the computer to start as usual after clean boot troubleshooting under more information.

If the issue still persists, I would suggest you to check the event viewer logs to find if there is any error logs related to this issue. Check for any error logs during the time when you got the blue screen in event viewer and post the logs here for further assistance. Refer to this article for more information:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/what-information-appears-in-event-logs-event-viewer

Try these steps and get back to us with the results. We’d be glad to help if you need any further assistance.

Hello SpiritX MS MVP,

Thank you for your help.

There is a lot of information you have posted - I have been checking everything off of your list and not finished yet - please give me more time to go through all of it. It is very helpful.

Shaunak

He Bennet,

Thank you for your help.

2. Please allow me to answer the second question first: I am able to log in to my machine with no problem. In fact, I am able to use the machine for some time (~ 1hour) before randomly getting the BSOD.
3. Recently, my laptop power charging port was broken. I took it to an authorized Asus center to get it repaired. When I came back, this issue started happening peridocally.

I have had the computer open in safe mode for more than an hour with no problems... I will try to leave it open for longer and update with any result.

Thank you.

Shaunak

Hi,

**References to Vista also apply to Windows 7.**Memory testing methods are in the section following these driver update methods.

This is my generic how to for proper driver updates :

This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded :

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your

system. For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address

of the driver, description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and

more.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most

current. Control Panel - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and

complete model of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the

version info. Now click UPdate Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind

certifying drivers) - then Right Click - Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver

stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if

3rd party with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers

you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then

Device Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest

versions. (Look for BIOS, Chipset and software updates at System Maker's site while

there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT

after each installation.

Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing

actually shows up. This is because some drivers rollback before the latest is installed

(sound drivers particularly do this) so install a driver - reboot - check to be sure it is

installed and repeat as needed.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER -

check manually by model.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm

Installing and updating drivers in 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43216-installing-updating-drivers-7-a.html

If you update drivers manually then it is a good idea to disable Driver Installations in

Windows Updates, this leaves Windows Updates ON however it will not install drivers

which will usually be older and cause issues. If Updates suggests a new driver then

HIDE it (Right Click on it) and then go look for new ones manually if you wish.

Stop Windows 7 from Automatically Installing Device Drivers

http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/stop-windows-7-from-automatically-installing-device-drivers/

How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows 7 / Vista

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/

Disable Windows Update Device Driver Search Prompt In Windows 7 / Vista (for Professional,

Ultimate, and Enterprise)

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/disable-windows-update-device-driver-search-prompt/

=======================================================

Memory tests do not catch all errors such as mismatched memory (possible even

for sticks that appear to be identical) and when faster memory is placed in system

behind slower memory. So it is best to also swap sticks in and out to check for

those even if all memory tests fail to show a problem.

To test RAM check here - let it run 4+ hours or so.  <-- best method

www.memtest.org

For the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

Start - type in Search box ->  Memory - find Memory Diagnostics tool at top of list -

Right Click - RUN AS ADMIN follow the instructions

Windows Vista: How to Scan / Test your RAM or Memory with Windows Vista

Memory Diagnostic Tool

http://www.shivaranjan.com/2007/11/01/windows-vista-how-to-scan-test-your-ram-or-memory-with-windows-vista-memory-diagnostic-tool/

How to Run the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.html

Hope this helps.

---

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!

Hi,

Check this KB article :

You receive various Stop error messages in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2 when

you try to resume a computer that has a large SATA hard disk.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977178

---

Resolving stop (blue screen) errors in Windows 7 - has a section for if you can or can't start Windows.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Resolving-stop-blue-screen-errors-in-Windows-7 

Check this thread for information using BlueScreenView, MyEventViewer and other methods

to troubleshoot BlueScreens - top 3 replies (+1 other).

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-system/sometimes-i-get-a-blue-screen-when-using-ie-8/c675b7b8-795f-474d-a1c4-6b77b3fcd990

We can analyze the minidumps if you make them available from the SkyDrive or other file

sharing sites (such as MediaFire). If you have problems uploading the minidumps copy

them to the Desktop or the Documents folder and upload them from there.

Zip or upload the contents of C:\Windows\minidump

Use SkyDrive to upload collected files.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproui/thread/4fc10639-02db-4665-993a-08d865088d65 

================================================================

BCCode: F4    0x000000F4

Check and reseat all cards, memory and cables (on both ends when possible) actually

remove and replace - do not just snug. On a laptop about all you can do is reseat the

memory and possibly check the contacts/connection to the hard drive. Memory could

be the problem so  if you have more than 1 stick swap them in and out to see if the

problem follows one stick or try new memory. Antivirus/anti-spyware/security programs

have been known to cause or have a role in this issue.

Most general fix is updating drivers, BIOS, and low level chipset drivers and other control software.

Also check cabling to hard disk.=========================================================

Bug Check 0xF4: CRITICAL_OBJECT_TERMINATIONThe CRITICAL_OBJECT_TERMINATION bug check has a value of 0x000000F4. This indicates that a process or thread crucial to system operation has unexpectedly exited or been terminated.

Important Info If You Have Received a STOP Code

If you received a blue screen error, or stop code, the computer has shut down abruptly to protect itself from data loss. A hardware device, its driver, or related software might have caused this error. If your copy of Windows came with your computer, call the manufacturer of your computer. If you purchased Windows separately from your computer, Microsoft provides support. To find contact info for Microsoft or your computer manufacturer, Contact Support.

If you have experience with computers and want to try to recover from this error, follow the steps provided in the Microsoft article Resolving STOP (Blue Screen) Errors in Windows.

These actions might prevent an error like this from happening again:

1. Download and install updates and device drivers for your computer from Windows Update.
2. Scan your computer for computer viruses.
3. Check your hard disk for errors.

CRITICAL_OBJECT_TERMINATION Parameters

The following parameters are displayed on the blue screen.

Parameter	Description
1	The terminating object type:<br><br><br>0x3: Process<br><br><br>0x6: Thread
2	The terminating object
3	The process image file name
4	Pointer to an ASCII string containing an explanatory message

Cause

Several processes and threads are necessary for the operation of the system. When they are terminated for any reason, the system can no longer function.

BCCode: F4    0x000000F4  <-- read this link

http://www.faultwire.com/solutions-fatal\_error/A-process-or-thread-crucial-to-system-operation-has-0x000000F4-\*1241.html

==================================================================

Look in the Event Viewer to see if anything is reported about those.

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista\_event\_viewer.htm

MyEventViewer - Free - a simple alternative to the standard event viewer of Windows.TIP - Options - Advanced Filter allows you to see a time frame instead of the whole file.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/my\_event\_viewer.html

---

Also do this so you can see the likely bluescreens.

Windows Vista automatically restarts if your PC encounters an error that causes it to crash

(also Windows 7 and Windows 8).

http://www.winvistatips.com/disable-automatic-restart-t84.html

---

Here are some methods to possibly fix the blue screen issue. If you could give the Blue Screen

info that would help. Such as the BCC and the other 4 entries on the lower left. And any other

error information such as STOP codes and info such as IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA and similar messages.

As examples :

BCCode: 116

BCP1: 87BC9510

BCP2: 8C013D80

BCP3: 00000000

BCP4: 00000002

or in this format :

Stop: 0x00000000 (oxoooooooo oxoooooooo oxooooooooo oxoooooooo)

tcpip.sys - Address 0x00000000 base at 0x000000000 DateStamp 0x000000000

This is an excellent tool for posting Blue Screen Error Information

BlueScreenView scans all your minidump files created during 'blue screen of death' crashes, and displays the information about all crashes in one table - Freehttp://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue\_screen\_view.html

Many BlueScreens are caused by old or corrupted drivers, especially video drivers however

there are other causes.

You can do these in Safe Mode if needed or from Command Prompt from Vista DVD or

Recovery Options if your system has that installed by the maker.

How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

You can try a System Restore back to a point before the problem started if there is one.

How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

---

Start - type this in Search Box ->  COMMAND   find at top and RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN

Enter this at the prompt - sfc /scannow

How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program

generates in Windows Vista cbs.log (and Windows 7)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

The log might give you the answer if there was a corrupted driver. (Does not tell all the possible

driver issues).

Also run CheckDisk so we can rule out corruption as much as possible.

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

---

Often updating drivers will help, usually Video, Sound, Network Card  (NIC), WiFi, 3rd party

keyboard and mouse, as well as other major device drivers.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm 

How to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager (also Windows 7) 

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html 

Stop Windows 7 from Automatically Installing Device Drivers

http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/stop-windows-7-from-automatically-installing-device-drivers/ 

How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows 7 / Vista

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/

Disable Windows Update Device Driver Search Prompt In Windows 7 / Vista (for Professional,

Ultimate, and Enterprise)

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/disable-windows-update-device-driver-search-prompt/

---

How to fix BlueScreen (STOP) errors that cause Windows Vista to shut down or restart

unexpectedly

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958233

Troubleshooting Vista Blue Screen, STOP Errors (and Windows 7)

http://www.chicagotech.net/vista/vistabluescreen.htm

Understanding and Decoding BSOD (blue screen of death) Messages

http://www.taranfx.com/blog/?p=692

Windows - Troubleshooting Blue Screen Errors

http://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=7033

---

In some cases this might be required.

StartUp Repair from Recovery Options or Windows 7 disk

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html 

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html 

How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Hope this helps.

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Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!