Physical Memory Dump

[mbaldw]

Hi All,

I noticed that recently Windows 2000 Prof has done a couple of \"Physical Memory Dumps\" on me.   Any ideas what this is or what causes it - better still, any fixes?

Cheers,
M.B.

[rdc]

This explains a memory dump :
To specify what Windows does if the system stops unexpectedly
You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

Open System in Control Panel.
On the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
Under System Failure, select the check boxes that correspond to the actions you want Windows to perform if a Stop error occurs:
Write an event to the system log specifies that event information will be recorded in the system log.
Send an administrative alert specifies that your system administrator will be notified.
Automatically reboot specifies that Windows will automatically restart your computer.
Under Write Debugging Information, choose the type of information you want Windows to record when the system stops unexpectedly:
Small Memory Dump records the smallest amount of information that will help identify the problem. This option requires a paging file of at least 2 MB on the boot volume of your computer and specifies that Windows will create a new file each time the system stops unexpectedly. A history of these files is stored in the directory listed under Small Dump Directory.
Kernel Memory Dump records only kernel memory, which speeds up the process of recording information in a log when the system stops unexpectedly. Depending on the amount of RAM in your computer, you must have 50 MB to 800 MB available for the paging file on the boot volume. The file is stored in the directory listed under Dump File.
Complete Memory Dump records the entire contents of system memory when the system stops unexpectedly. If you choose this option you must have a paging file on the boot volume large enough to hold all of the physical RAM plus one megabyte (MB). The file is stored in the directory listed under Dump File.

[Guest]

I have had that happen to a computer repeatedly over the past few weeks and once to my laptop a few days ago.  Both instances the user and myself were connected to Citrix either via a domain or an ICA connection, we use XP.

The send error report function actually did more than just send something this time!  It went to Microsoft Online Crash Analysis with tracking.  Information there says that it is something with a driver and to disable stuff or rollback.  Well, as for the memory dumps, we could get 3 in one day or go a few days without one, so I'm not really sure that disabling drivers would help, of which I don't have many anyway.

Even though it would be easier (replacement) if it were a hardware issue, I am glad that it isn't hardware but I did all that troubleshooting first.   We have sent a laptop twice for repair, oh great!! Hmm, that one the first time came back with a new rewriteable dvd drive, from a plain cd drive.  Hasn't come back yet, so we'll see.  Check out cd drivers then, huh!

Mandy