Gerneral BSOD questions - How to read a bluescreen dump file, etc.

Windows Vista Home Premium:

1. How do you keep the bluescreen error frozen in order to record the information?

2. Is there a way to capture info regarding a bluescreen after-the-fact that is different from the dump file?

3. Where are the dump files saved and how do I read them?

4. Is there a seperate report file that displays what the bluescreen error displays or is that some component of a dump file?

Thanks.

 

1. Computer -> Properties -> Adavanced -> Startup & Recovery Settings -> uncheck Automatic Restart.
2. All information should be in the event logs; use the Event Viewer (eventvwr) to read it.
3. Dump files: this article has some good info for Vista: http://www.steveglendinning.com/2008/05/16/find-the-cause-of-a-vista-blue-screen/.
4. Event logs; see 2 above.