Troubleshooting an internet connection
Here are some practical steps you can take to see if there is anything you can do yourself to fix your internet before contacting your ISPs call center. Or you could do it while you’re in the call queue. If your supplier is anything like ours, you’ll have plenty of time while you’re waiting!Look toward the light
If your connection drops, check your router to see if all the lights are illuminated. You would usually see the same pattern of lights day in day out. If one or more is amber or red, there may be a problem. Check to see what, if any lights are not green. If it’s labeled as internet, there may be an issue with your ISP. If the light says Ethernet, it may be something you can fix.Reboot everything
A reboot fixes 90% of computer issues and this could be one of them. Reboot your router or modem and reboot your computer too. Give the router at least 30 seconds without power and then at least a minute to reload, download any config from the network and begin working. Now retest. If the lights go to green it was a software issue that may have been fixed. If there is still an amber or red light, we have more work to do.Check connections
You would be amazed at how many times we have visited small businesses without internet only to find someone has unplugged the router to boil a kettle or to use the vacuum. The same principle applies here. Check power to your modem or router if you haven’t already and check the connection between the ISP wall socket and modem or router. Then check the cable from the router to your computer. If you use wireless, try using a cable instead. If you have a wireless device, test using that too.Check your ISP service status
If you have a phone with a working network, check your ISPs service status page to see if there are any known issues in your area. This can often save you the hassle of talking to an agent and quickly answer your question. It doesn’t help you fix the problem but at least if you know your neighborhood is down, you won’t waste time trying to fix it or waiting in a call queue. If all those things fail to bring your internet back to life, it’s time to call your ISP. It is now unavoidable and now you have performed first line diagnostics you can tell the agent that and let them fix your internet.Related Posts
DPC Watchdog Violation
DPC stands for Deferred Procedure Call and you tend to see this error when something delays the reply to this call. Windows will then flag a watchdog error as it didn’t get the response it expected during whatever operation it was trying to do at the time. Usually that’s writing to or reading from the SSD. To fix Windows 10 DPC Watchdog Violation errors, try this:- Right click the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
- Open the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers section and select ‘SATA AHCI’.
- Right click SATA AHCI and select Properties.
- Select the Driver tab and Driver Details. The correct driver is ‘iastor.sys’. If it is, continue to Step 5. If it isn’t, try another or move on to the next step.
- Select Update Driver Software, Browse, and Let me Pick from a list of devices.
- Select ‘Standard SATA AHCI Controller’ from the list and install.
- Go back to SATA AHCI Properties, the Driver tab and Driver Details and check for iastor.sys.
- Right click the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
- Work through your network card, audio, system drivers, motherboard, graphics and any peripheral drivers you may have.
- Reboot and retest.
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How to Fix Boot Device Not Found Errors in Windows 10
I'm Dave. I've been diagnosing boot errors in Somerville, NJ since 2011. A "Boot Device Not Found" message is one of the more alarming things a computer can show you — and before you try anything, I want to be upfront with you about what it often means and why getting a professional diagnostic first is usually the smarter move.
Read This Before You Try Anything
We know you want to fix it. Before you do — here's what a tech who has seen this hundreds of times would tell you first.
We share these tips because they help some people in some situations — specifically when the error is caused by a BIOS setting change or a loose connection rather than a dying drive. But we'd be doing you a disservice if we presented a list of steps and sent you off without being honest: if the drive is failing, these tips won't save it, and some of them can make data recovery harder.
The bottom line: if you have files on this machine you cannot afford to lose, bring it in for a $75 bench diagnostic before trying anything. We'll tell you exactly what's happening — whether it's a fixable configuration issue or a drive that needs to come off before it takes your data with it. The $75 is credited toward any repair or recovery if you move forward with us.
🔍 Not Sure If Your Drive Is Failing? Find Out First.
Our $75 bench diagnostic checks drive health, boot configuration, and system integrity — and tells you what you're actually dealing with before you touch anything. Walk in, no appointment needed.
📞 Call (908) 428-9558 — Get the Diagnostic First75 N Bridge St, Somerville NJ · Mon–Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 9am–2pm
What "Boot Device Not Found" Actually Means
Understanding what the error is telling you helps you assess how serious the situation might be.
When you power on your computer, the BIOS (or UEFI firmware) runs a startup sequence that looks for a bootable device — the drive containing your operating system. "Boot Device Not Found" means the firmware completed its search and couldn't find a drive it could boot from. The message is sometimes followed by "Please install an operating system on your hard disk" or a similar prompt.
What this does not necessarily mean: that your files are gone. In many cases the drive is physically present and the data is intact — the system simply can't read the boot information it needs to start Windows. Whether that's a configuration problem or a hardware failure is the question that only a diagnostic can answer reliably.
What Usually Causes This Error
Several different root causes can produce the same "Boot Device Not Found" message. Knowing which one applies to your machine changes everything about the appropriate response.
Failing or Failed Hard Drive / SSD
The drive that contains Windows has developed enough bad sectors, mechanical failure, or firmware errors that the BIOS can no longer detect it as a bootable device. This is the most common cause in machines over 3–5 years old and the one that carries the highest data risk. Every reboot attempt on a failing drive is another read cycle on hardware that's already struggling.
Incorrect Boot Order in BIOS
The BIOS boot order tells the machine which device to try first. If a recent BIOS update, a CMOS battery replacement, or accidental setting change has moved the hard drive below a USB drive, optical drive, or network device in the boot sequence — the machine looks at the wrong device first and reports nothing bootable. This is the most benign cause and is resolved in BIOS settings.
Loose or Damaged Drive Connection
On a desktop, a SATA data cable that has worked loose from the drive or the motherboard will make the drive invisible to the system at startup. On a laptop, the M.2 or 2.5" drive can work loose from physical shock. The drive is physically fine — it's just not making a reliable connection.
Corrupted Boot Partition / MBR
The Master Boot Record or EFI System Partition — the small section of the drive that tells Windows where to find itself — can become corrupted after a failed Windows update, an unexpected shutdown during writing, or malware activity. The drive and its data are intact but the "address book" for the boot process is damaged.
UEFI / Secure Boot / CSM Mismatch
Modern machines use UEFI firmware with Secure Boot. If a BIOS update or manual setting change has toggled CSM (Compatibility Support Mode) or Secure Boot in a way that doesn't match how Windows was originally installed, the machine may be unable to find the boot partition even though the drive is healthy.
Malware Targeting the Boot Sector
Some malware specifically targets the Master Boot Record or boot partition as a way to disable the machine or hold data hostage. If the machine showed unusual behavior before the boot error appeared — slow performance, unexpected popups, programs crashing — malware is worth considering as a contributing factor.
Some Tips That May Help — With Important Caveats
These are general starting points for situations where the drive is confirmed healthy. They are tips, not guaranteed fixes. Read the disclaimer on each one before proceeding.
Check the BIOS boot order
Restart the machine and enter BIOS setup by pressing the key shown on the startup screen (Del, F2, F10, or F12 — varies by manufacturer). Navigate to the Boot menu and confirm your hard drive or SSD is listed as the first boot device. If a USB drive, optical drive, or "Network Boot" is above it, move the hard drive to the top of the order. Save and exit.
Check UEFI / Secure Boot / CSM settings
In BIOS, look for settings labeled Secure Boot, CSM (Compatibility Support Module), or Boot Mode. If Windows was installed in UEFI mode, CSM should be disabled and Secure Boot should be on. If Windows was installed in Legacy/BIOS mode, CSM should be enabled. A mismatch between how Windows was installed and how BIOS is currently configured can produce this error.
Check physical drive connections (desktop only)
If you have a desktop and are comfortable opening the case: power off and unplug, then check that the SATA data cable connecting your drive to the motherboard is firmly seated at both ends. Also check the SATA power cable from the PSU. A cable that has worked loose is a cheap and easy fix — but only if that's actually the cause.
Use Windows Startup Repair from a bootable USB
If you have a Windows 10 installation USB, you can boot from it, select "Repair your computer," and run Startup Repair — which attempts to automatically fix corrupted boot files. This addresses the corrupted MBR / boot partition scenario specifically.
Your Data — What's Actually at Risk Here
This is the conversation we have at the counter that most online guides skip entirely.
The machine not starting does not automatically mean your data is gone. In most Boot Device Not Found situations — even when the drive is failing — the files are still physically on the drive. What's at risk is the window of time you have to recover them before the drive deteriorates further.
Every attempted boot on a mechanically failing hard drive is another set of read operations on a platter that's already struggling. Every repair attempt that writes to a drive with bad sectors risks landing new data on top of recoverable data. The sooner a failing drive gets to a bench — without further stress — the better the odds of getting your files back.
💾 Files on This Machine You Can't Afford to Lose?
That's the first conversation we have at the bench — not "how do we fix the boot error" but "what's on this drive and can we get it off safely before we do anything else." Bring it in. Our $75 diagnostic covers drive health assessment, data triage, and a clear recommendation on the safest path forward.
📞 Call (908) 428-9558 — Protect Your Files FirstWalk-in welcome · No appointment needed · Drop-off only · 75 N Bridge St, Somerville NJ
Boot Error and Drive Recovery from Central New Jersey
From Bridgewater to Princeton, customers across Somerset and Middlesex County trust Dave's to handle the problems that matter most.
"Got the Boot Device Not Found screen and panicked. Called Dave's instead of trying to fix it myself. Good thing — they found the drive was failing and recovered everything before it got worse. Would have lost years of photos if I'd kept rebooting."
"Boot error appeared after a Windows update. Brought it to Dave's — turned out to be a BIOS setting that had changed. Fixed in the same visit. They explained exactly what happened and how to prevent it. Honest and fast."
"I tried a couple things I found online first and made it worse. Dave's recovered the drive data, replaced it with a new SSD, and had everything restored. Wished I'd just come straight in. Lesson learned."
Why NJ Customers Bring Boot Errors to Dave's
Diagnose Before We Fix
We assess drive health before recommending any fix. The right solution for a BIOS setting issue is completely different from the right solution for a failing drive — and confusing the two is how data gets lost.
Data Recovery First
If the drive is failing, we recover your data before anything else. We've helped NJ customers recover files from drives that were on their last legs — but only because they got to us quickly. See our hard drive data recovery page for more.
Straight Talk About What's Fixable
We'll tell you honestly whether it's a quick BIOS fix or a drive that needs to be replaced. No padding the bill, no unnecessary parts. Just what the diagnostic shows and what it takes to fix it.
Fast Turnaround
Simple boot configuration issues are often resolved same day. Drive replacements with data migration typically take 1–3 business days. We give you a realistic timeline at drop-off.
Your Machine Stays Here
We work on it at 75 N Bridge St in Somerville. Your machine and your data don't leave our shop. Full accountability from drop-off to pickup.
14 Years of Drive and Boot Repairs in NJ
We've been diagnosing and fixing boot errors in Somerville since 2011 — every error code, every cause, every variation. If it can be fixed, we'll fix it. If the data can be saved, we'll save it.
Boot Device Not Found FAQs — New Jersey
What causes a Boot Device Not Found error in Windows 10?
The most common causes: a failing or failed hard drive or SSD (the most serious), an incorrect BIOS boot order, a UEFI/Secure Boot configuration mismatch, a loose drive connection on a desktop, or a corrupted boot partition. Without a diagnostic, you cannot reliably determine which one applies to your machine — and the appropriate response is different for each cause.
Is my data gone if I see this error?
Usually not — yet. In most cases the data is still physically on the drive even when this error appears. The risk is that continued boot attempts and repair attempts on a failing drive can push it past the point of recovery. The safest move is to bring it in immediately for a drive health assessment before trying anything that writes to the drive or stresses it further.
Should I try to fix this myself?
Only if you have confirmed through a diagnostic that the drive is healthy and the issue is a BIOS configuration problem. If the drive appears on the boot device list and was working fine before a BIOS update, checking the boot order is a reasonable first step. For anything beyond that — especially if the drive is older, was showing signs of slowing down, or the error appeared suddenly — bring it in. The tips in this guide are starting points, not guaranteed fixes, and some carry real data risk on a compromised drive.
What if I already tried some fixes and things got worse?
Stop and bring it in. Don't try additional fixes. The diagnostic we run at our Somerville bench gives us the current state of the drive and determines what's still recoverable. Getting to us as quickly as possible after a failed fix attempt — rather than continuing to try things — preserves the best odds of recovery.
Does Dave's Computers fix boot errors and recover data in New Jersey?
Yes. We handle boot error diagnosis, hard drive repair and replacement, and data recovery in New Jersey at our Somerville shop. Drop-off only at 75 N Bridge St, no appointment needed. Call (908) 428-9558 if you want to describe the situation before coming in — we can usually tell you on the phone whether it sounds like a quick BIOS fix or something that needs a bench diagnostic urgently.
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First time at Dave's Computers? Take $20 off your labor at our Somerville NJ shop.
Off Labor on Your First Repair
Show this coupon at drop-off. Mention code "BOOT20" at the counter or when you call.
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Boot Error and Drive Repair Serving All of Central NJ
Customers drive to our Somerville shop from across central New Jersey for boot error diagnosis, drive repair, and data recovery — typically 15–30 minutes from most addresses.One location, drop-off only. Dave's Computers has one location at 75 N Bridge St, Somerville NJ 08876. We do not offer on-site or in-home service anywhere in New Jersey. All work is performed at our Somerville shop. Curbside drop-off is available.
Seeing a Boot Error? Get the Diagnostic First.
Don't guess. Drop it off at our Somerville NJ shop and we'll tell you exactly what's happening before we touch anything. Your data is our first priority.
📞 (908) 428-9558Related Posts
Restart Windows Explorer to fix the Windows 10 Taskbar
We usually try to restart the Windows Explorer process any time there is an issue with the desktop. It is the lynchpin process upon which other desktop and Taskbar processes depend. That makes it the logical place to begin.- Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Task Manager.
- Select Windows Explorer in the Apps menu.
- Select the Restart button in the bottom right of the window.
Use System File Checker to fix the Windows 10 Taskbar
The Windows System File Checker tool is built into Windows 10 and can automatically repair file corruption or data issues within Windows. It is a simple process that will check all of Windows files, compare them to a cached version held within the installation and replace any that are lost or broken.- Hit Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Task Manager.
- Select File and Run new task.
- Check the box to start with admin privileges, type CMD into the box and hit
- Type ‘sfc /scannow’ into the CMD box and hit Enter.
Use DISM to fix the Windows 10 Taskbar
Windows’ Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM) is another built in tool that can right a lot of wrongs. This is slightly more involved which is why I left it until last. This will perform any further repairs to your Windows installation.- Type ‘power’ into the Search Windows/Cortana box. Right click Windows PowerShell and select Open as administrator.
- Type or paste ‘DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth’ and hit Enter.
- Allow the process to complete.
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Troubleshoot your internet connection
Troubleshooting an internet connection is difficult without being in front of it but there are some basic checks you can do to fix many basic issues with your connections. Here are just a few of them.Check power to your modem and/or router
Is your router switched on? Are the activity lights flashing? What about your ISP modem? Is it working? Lights flashing? As long as none of those lights are amber or red, the physical connection should be indicated by lights on the devices.Check wired connections
Someone inadvertently unplugging an Ethernet cable or knocking it when cleaning is a prime cause of an internet connection not working. Check both ends of the Ethernet cable and make sure it is locked in tight.Reboot everything
The first manual task when troubleshooting a network connection is a reboot. Reboot the router and/or modem and the computer. Windows computers especially can ‘lose’ connection when the configuration stops working. A full reboot should fix it. A modem and router will take around 1 full minute to reboot so give them time and retest.Check your network card
A quick check of the computer’s network card can help troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks.- Right click the Windows Start button and select Network Connections.
- Select Change adapter options, right click your Ethernet adapter and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4, make sure the box is checked and hit the Properties button.
- Make sure both settings in the General tab are configured to automatic. Manual addressing is fine but automatic helps troubleshooting.
Check IP addressing
To be able to communicate on a network, a computer has to be identifiable. This is where an IP address comes in. If you use a router, it assigns an internal IP address. It will translate that to an external address as required. IP addresses can be a common cause of lost connections, so let us take a look.- Right click the Windows Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type ‘ipconfig /all’ and hit Enter.
- Still within the Command Prompt, type ‘ipconfig /release’. This will cause the computer to give up the IP address.
- Type ‘ipconfig /renew’ to force your modem or router to assign a new IP address.
Ping something
Don’t close that Command Prompt box down yet though as we need to test connectivity.- Type ‘ping google.com’ and hit enter.
- You should see a Google.com IP address appear and four pings.
- Look at the statistics, the sent must match the received and there should be 0% loss.
Winsock reset
Our final Command Prompt task is a Winsock reset. Windows Sockets API (Winsock for short) is code that interfaces between Windows and network services like TCP/IP. It has been known to freeze or cause problems so resetting it is a useful troubleshooting step. Type ‘netsh winsock reset’ and into the command prompt hit Enter. You should see a message ‘'Successfully reset the Winsock Catalog. You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.' Reboot your computer and retest.Disable your firewall
Software firewalls are very effective at what they do but sometimes they do cause issues. A good test is to temporarily disable it and retest the connection. Right click in the Windows notification area (the small up arrow next to the desktop clock) and select your firewall icon. Right click that icon and select Disable. Different firewalls may call it different things. With your firewall disabled, retest your connection. If it works now, the firewall is stopping traffic. If it still doesn’t work, leave the firewall disabled for now but remember to enable it later.Reset your router
If you use a router, now might be a good time to try a reset. If it has activity lights, layer 2 is up (the ping worked) and you have rebooted everything including your computer, it may be a router fault. Each router should have a reset button on the back or underneath. First, make sure you have a copy of the default username and password to hand. Press and hold the reset button for 20 seconds to reset the router. This will factory reset it and force the default config back again. You will lost any configurations you made, but it is also the definitive test for network config issues. If your connection works, great. If it doesn’t, you have two options, perform a Windows system restore or get on the phone to your ISP. I would suggest going the Windows restore route first. If your ISP is anything like mine you will be stuck in a queue for ages and then connected to someone who really doesn’t know what they are doing, unless you are very lucky of course!Related Posts
Cannot send and receive email in Outlook
If you switch on your computer and find your inbox empty or nothing happens when you hit Send, there are a few things you can do. I’m going to talk you through a few basic checks that we use to begin isolating the root cause.Check your internet connection
It sounds obvious but you would be amazed at the number of people who don’t check that their internet is actually working before raising a trouble ticket. If your Outlook isn’t sending or receiving, make sure you can get to the internet okay. Just open a browser and go to one of your favorite websites. If it works, move on to the next check. If you have no internet, follow up with your ISP or network provider.Reboot your computer
Not everyone shuts down their computer fully overnight. Some leave them in sleep or hibernate mode to save valuable seconds in the morning. That’s fine and won’t harm the computer in any way but it does mean any issues with running programs will not be flushed out and fixed with a reboot. If your internet is working, a quick computer reboot might fix the issue.Check webmail
Most email providers will have a webmail system where you can log in via your browser to check emails. If you have internet, log into your webmail portal and check whether emails have been sent or received from there. If they have not, this points to an issue with your email provider. If email looks to be sending and receiving properly, use webmail to work for now and continue troubleshooting.Check/repair email settings
We can perform a quick check within Outlook to see if anything has happened to your account settings. It is a useful step if you cannot send and receive email in Outlook. Select File from within Outlook, then Account Settings and Account Settings. In the window that appears, select an email box and then Repair. This opens a new Auto Account Setup window where you can ask Outlook to check settings and send a test email. Check the details in the window and hit Next. Outlook will verify the settings and tell you whether it could successfully log into your mail server or not. If the test passes, the configuration is fine. If it could not, the configuration has been corrupted or changed. If you find the latter, find out the account details and verify them manually. You could also create a new email account and see if that works too.Open Outlook in Safe Mode
Just like Windows has a safe mode to verify the core settings, Outlook has one too. Opening it in Safe Mode is useful if you use add-ins or have customized Outlook to work in a specific way or in a specific environment. Hold the Ctrl key and select the Outlook icon as you normally would to open the application. You could also paste ‘outlook.exe /safe’ into the Cortana/Search Windows box. Send a test email to a separate email account to see if it works. If the email arrives, it is an add-on causing the issue. If the email does not arrive, move on to the next task. To disable add-ons, select File, Options and then Add-ins. Select Go at the bottom of the window next to Manage COM Add-ins. Uncheck all Add-ins and retest Outlook.Create a new Outlook Profile
All Outlook settings are controlled through the Outlook Profile so our next step is to check that for any issues. The simplest way to do that is to create a new one and see if it performs any better. Type ‘control’ into the Cortana/Search Windows box and select Control Panel. Select Small icons next to View by: in the top right of the Control Panel window. Select Mail and Show Profiles. Select ‘Prompt for a profile to be used’ and then Add. Name your new profile and save then OK. Restart Outlook and select the new profile. Test it to see if it works properly or not.Outlook repair
Depending on how your Outlook was set up, you may or may not be able to perform this step. You will need the original installer to do this so if you work for a company, you may need to contact IT. If you’re unsure, just bring it over to Dave’s Computers and we can do it for you. Open the Microsoft Office installer DVD or application. Select Repair when you see the Install/Repair window appear. Continue and allow the installer to verify and repair any issues it finds. It should not affect your email or configuration. It checks the core files to make sure nothing has happened to them and will reinstall or repair individual files as it needs to.Reinstall Outlook
Finally, if you have internet, webmail seems to be working okay and you have performed the tests here, you may have to reinstall Outlook altogether. If you have the original Office installer app or DVD, uninstall your current version and install it anew. You will need to set up your email accounts again and add any specific configurations or add-ins you use but this is the final way to get Outlook working again. If you’re unsure, contact your company’s IT department or contact Dave’s Computers. We are Office and Outlook experts and provide remote and store-based computer support for both businesses in New Jersey and home users. If you cannot send and receive email in Outlook, Dave’s Computers can help!Related Posts
Fix ‘This App Has Been Blocked For Your Protection’ in Windows 10
Before we go turning any system protection off though, it’s useful to remember that as much as it might get in the way or annoy you, it is there for your protection. Windows tries to protect its integrity as much as possible so it can keep working. While an app may seem harmless, it may contain something that causes problems with your machine. Disabling SmartScreen is simple, but should only be done if you’re confident of the app you’re installing.- Right click on the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
- Select System and Security and then Security and Maintenance.
- Click Change Windows SmartScreen settings in the left pane.
- Select Turn off Windows SmartScreen.
- Go back to the Security and Maintenance screen.
- Select Change User Account Control settings.
- Select the minimum protection or turn it off completely
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- Open a CMD window as an administrator.
- Type ‘ipconfig /all’ and hit Enter.
- The results will show you what network hardware is on the computer, what IP addresses are assigned and whether it is behind a router or using a virtual network interface.
PING
Packet Internet Groper (PING) is usually the first port of call for any IT pro troubleshooting network issues. It is a simple ICMP tool that sends a network packet between computers. It is a quick and easy way to see if a guest or host machine is up and running.- Open a CMD window as an administrator.
- Type ‘ping and the IP address of the machine you want to contact’. For example, ‘ping 192.168.0.1’.
- You should see something like ‘Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64’. You’re interested in the fact you got a reply and the time it took. The lower the number, the faster the connection.
Tracert
Tracert or traceroute is the next step in troubleshooting a network. Once we know a physical link between two computers is up, we need to find out what route traffic takes to get there. That’s where Tracert comes in. Tracert is more useful when troubleshooting networks with multiple machines or if you’re trying to connect to a computer somewhere else.- Open a CMD window as an administrator.
- Type ‘tracert and the IP address or URL of the host you want to contact’. In the example in the image, I traced the route from my PC to Google servers by typing ‘tracert www.google.com’.
- The results will show the exact route and IP addresses of all hops on the route. You can then see where any delays or stops occur along the route.
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Steps to fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA errors
The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA manifests itself as a blue screen (BSOD). It may appear intermittently or it may appear regularly, it varies from computer to computer. I’m going to list a few ways you can troubleshoot it. As always, try each step individually and reboot. If the error stops appearing, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.- Remove any recently installed drivers, especially third-party unsigned ones. Drivers are a common cause of this memory fault so this is a good place to start.
- Uninstall any programs or hardware you added immediately before the error started appearing and retest.
- Open a CMD window as an administrator and type ‘Chkdsk /f /r’. Allow the process to complete and make any repairs it needs.
Reset Windows virtual memory settings
If the above steps didn’t work, try disabling and re-enabling Windows virtual memory management.- Navigate to Control Panel, System and Security, System, Advanced System Settings.
- Select Settings next to Performance and then Advanced.
- Select Change under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck the box next to ‘Automatically manage paging file size…’.
- Perform all the above steps in reverse and recheck the box next to ‘Automatically manage paging file size…’.
- Reboot once more and retest.
Check your RAM
Once we have eliminated the most likely software culprits, it’s time to look at hardware. Download and run MemTest86+. Run the tests, swap memory sticks and slots and run the test again. If the fault follows the memory stick, it is likely the RAM itself at fault. If the errors stay on the same slot, the memory slot may be at fault. Try moving to a different memory slot altogether and run the test again. It is possible to ignore a fault memory slot if you have spares. Otherwise, you may need to consider a new motherboard. Do you know of any other ways to troubleshoot ‘PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA’ errors? Let us know below if you do!Related Posts
Troubleshooting the ‘Inaccessible Boot Device’ error
Like many computer troubleshooting tasks, fixing this error is a process of elimination. We begin with the simplest steps and work towards the more complicated. As always, retest between each step and once things are working normally there is no need to continue.- Boot Windows into safe mode by using Windows installation media and selecting troubleshoot instead of install. Once Windows is fully loaded, try to reboot as normal. This simple fix addresses more occurrences of this error than you might imagine!
- Boot once more into Windows safe mode with command prompt and type ‘Chkdsk /f /r’. This will check the disk for errors. Then reboot and retry.
- Remove any extra hard drives you may have and just boot using the drive with Windows installed.
- Boot Windows into safe mode, find the IDE ATA/SATA drivers for your motherboard online, download and install. Reboot and retry.
- Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to make sure IDE is selected if you use a HDD and AHCI is selected if you use an SSD. Also check the computer is set to boot from the drive containing Windows. If your boot drive is not listed in the BIOS/UEFI, check cables and power.
- Swap cables and power to the boot drive to test for potential failure. If the hard drive isn’t listed in your BOIS, it could have failed. Perform further steps before ordering a new one though, just in case.
- Boot into Windows 10 Advanced Boot Options and select ‘Last known good configuration’. Perform a system restore to roll back any Windows updates or drivers that may be causing the error.
- Assuming your boot drive is listed in your BIOS/UEFI, i.e. physically present, try a fresh install of Windows.
- If your boot drive is not listed in your BIOS, it may have failed. Try another drive in its place to check cable/power/connector. If the other drive shows up, it’s probably drive failure. If it doesn’t show up, try a different IDE or SATA port, cable and power connector. Worse case you may need data recovery from an recovery lab.