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HOWTO: Stopping Blue Screen of Death Reboots

Reader Russ Tinley wrote about a strange problem he was having:

Terry, My computer is connected to a Verizon DSL Modem, and everytime I connect the modem to my PC I get a blue screen and the system reboots. I called Verizon and they replaced my Modem but it still does it. So I called adn they said that my computer must be the problem, so just to test it I plugged my Notebook directly to the DSL modem and same blue screen. I called Verizon and they are giving me the run around saying it is my hard ware. Can you give me any tips on what I should look for or how to work with Verizon to get this corrected. Thank you, Russ

Russ had a strange problem. But, let's look at the pieces:

1. the original modem caused the bluescreen/reboot on your desktop.
2. Verizon replaced the modem
3. The desktop still does it with the new modem.
4. The notebook also does it when connected to the modem.

So, you've got two computers doing it with two modems.

I suspect the cable that connects the modem to the computer. I assume this is an Ethernet cable -- it's possible that the cable is shorted internally (run over by a desk chair too many times, for example) or such. I think I'd try another Ethernet cable.

Once you solve the problem, put a router between your computer and the dsl modem. I recommend that for anyone connected to a cable or dsl modem, even if they're only connecing one computer.

Here are a few of my articles on the subject:

• Why Use a Router?
• Using a Router With Cable or DSL

Also, Windows by default will blue-screen on certain errors and automatically reboot. Unfortunately, the reboot happens so fast you don't have a chance to see what error is displayed. Fortunately, you can prevent the automatic reboot so you can have a chance to read the blue screen:

Follow this route:
Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Startup and Recovery Settings
then, uncheck "Automatically restart"

(click on the image for a larger version)

Russ subsequently replaced the Ethernet cable and added a router to his system. At that point, his computers worked fine with the router, so he knew they weren't damaged.

Copyright © 2007-2008 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.