Stop Messages

Stop messages are always displayed on a full screen in character mode, rather than in a window, as shown in Figure 17.1. Each message is uniquely identified by a hexadecimal number and a string indicating the error's symbolic name. In addition, Stop messages are usually followed by a series of up to four additional hexadecimal numbers, shown in parentheses, which identify error parameters, as shown in the following example:

*** STOP: 0x0000001E (0xC0000005, 0xFDE38AF9, 0x00000001, 0x7E8B0EB4)

KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED ***

To a trained support technician, the content of the symbolic name string might suggest which part of the system is affected by the error that left the kernel no recourse but to stop. However, it is also possible that the cause might be in another part of the system. Figure 17.1 is an example of a complete Stop message screen generated by Windows 2000.

Enlarge figure

Figure 17.1 Stop Message Screen

© 1985-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.