I'm having major issues with my computer where it only works properly after multiple restarts. I get a DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION BSOD or the system freezes during startup. Here's what typically happens:
1. My PC boots up, I log into Windows, and then it freezes within a few minutes.
2. Sometimes it brings up the BSOD on the login screen and stays there.
3. It also freezes during boot-up, particularly when I can still enter the BIOS. This leads to a cycle of 2-8 restarts, with some showing a "Diagnosing Problems" message that usually ends in a freeze or another blue screen saying Windows didn't start correctly.
Once I finally get into Windows, everything functions normally. I suspect a driver issue and have attached my minidump files, since it's beyond my expertise to analyze them. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
Could you clarify what you meant by it freezing during boot? Does it ever freeze while you're in the BIOS menus? It might be worth checking if your BIOS is up to date, as an outdated version can sometimes cause issues. How long has this been happening?
First, we need those dump files to really dig into the BSOD issue. If you can get into Windows—maybe through Safe Mode—check the "C:WindowsMinidump" folder for any files. Zip them up and upload to a file-sharing site like MediaFire or Catbox. Having multiple dump files helps us pinpoint the issues better. If you're unsure how to change the dump settings, I've got a guide that can make it easier for you!
Thanks for the tip! The freeze happens right before I get into the BIOS, but I haven't tried updating it in a while. Maybe I should check that out.