asked on

log programs that start automatically in the background

Most Saturdays my computer automatically crashes to a Blue Screen of Death while it is unattended. Some program is updating or whatever but I can't tell which. It has only happened on Saturdays; OS is win 7 Pro 64.

I need to either figure out how to make sense of the Windows Event Logs (eventvwr.msc) or install a logging program that will document the offending program that is causing this problem.

Thanks.

jcimarron

edrob_maui--Try Process Explorer
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653

Ed Robinson

ASKER

I will install Process Explorer, but I won't know if it helps until Saturday.

DarinTCH

try msconfig to see what is running now
also
try ccleaner to cleanup your PC and open services, cookies, registry
it is still a cnet top download after many years

Ed Robinson

ASKER

Back to Process Explorer, it appears it only runs real time and does not log events. Since I will be recovering from a BSD it won't be much help. It does look like a helpful utility though, thanks.

Ed Robinson

ASKER

Thanks for the suggestions but msconfig and other views of services that are executing doesn't help much. Since the crash only happens once a week it would take forever to isolate the offending program. I am also rebooting from a BSD so I don't have access to real time programs immediately after the crash. I need to see a log of what happened before the crash.

jcimarron

edrob_maui--Look at these ideas
http://www.winxptutor.com/msinfo32.htm (note you will have to access several screens in addition to Startup, like drivers, services, etc.)

http://sourcedaddy.com/windows-7/how-to-enable-boot-logging.html

Process Monitor might work for you
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=204978

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

jcimarron

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Ed Robinson

ASKER

jcimarron, Thanks for suggesting Process Monitor. I've loaded the program and it looks promising. I have to wait until Saturday to see if it catches the information to solve cause of the crash. Thanks!

jcimarron

edrob_maui--Good. Let us know.

DarinTCH

have you tried the included tools
reliability monitor - showing up and down time and sometimes the offending action
and run a datacollector set
for

Ed Robinson

ASKER

I don't want this thread to run on and on. The BSD happened on Thursday this time so Process Monitor was not running. However I can see it logs everything (maybe too much) and I am sure it will log the information on the program that is causing the BSD if I am lucky enough to have it running at the time.
Thanks for all the suggestions.