Serve as an example the case that we are going to talk about in these same lines and that at the same time we will show you how to solve in the best way. Specifically, below we are going to identify the cause and find a solution to the problems that we can find in Windows 10 and that end up creating a file called Minidump.
What is the Minidump file in Windows
At this point the first thing we need to know is what a file of this type really is in the operating system of the Redmond. Well, first of all we will tell you that a Minidump file in Windows is a small file that is saved on the computer. This is generated every time the computer freezes unexpectedly. So that we get a more exact idea of what we are talking about, for example this occurs when a BSOD.
These are known as blue screens of death that we have encountered on more than one occasion, and that we all fear in the operating system. Once we know these, say that these files that we are talking about, are stored in a certain directory. Specifically Windows uses the following disk path:
C:/Windows/minidump
At other times and depending on the Windows software version that we are using, this file can also be stored in the following path:
C:/Winnt/minidump
If any of the unexpected problems, hangs or blue screens has occurred in Windows, here the system will save a file with a name similar to this Mini031120-01.dmp. What actually gives us a glimpse of the numbers that make up the name of the file, is the date on which the failure occurred and the number of the dump file.
Control the crash dump of the error file
But on certain occasions, or on certain Windows computers with some additional storage drives, that file may Minidump stored elsewhere. An example is the case that we have some equipment that has slots for credit cards. storage SSD. These additions over time have become increasingly common due to the external devices that make use of these flash memory cards.
Specifically here we find a package that consists of the SSD flash memory slot and a controller integrated into the operating system itself. This integration in Windows computers is mainly due to the fact that digital cameras, smartphones or tablets almost always store their content in this type of flash memory. We tell you all this because on a team that runs Windows and that it has support to use a memory SD eMMC, the thing changes. By this we mean that in case of errors, such as those mentioned before crash, Windows produces a minidump file, but you can save it to other disk locations. This could translate into if we try to locate this control file, let’s not locate it. Say this problem is caused by the power management of the SD eMMC slots.
Check the default memory dump
Therefore, to override this default behavior of Windows, we must configure a special registry setting on the PC. This is precisely what we will talk about next, we are going to cancel the energy saving function of Windows eMMC during a crash or blue screen. With this we managed to produce a complete memory dump in the desired disk location.
Before you start, since this is a Registration, it is recommended to make a backup copy of it. We can also create a system restore point in case the procedure goes wrong. Of course, before using the registry as such, we will use the search box that is located next to the Start menu. Here we type Advanced configuration of the system, entry in which we click.
In the new window that appears, click on the button Setting in the Startup and recovery section, in the Advanced options tab. At that point we take a look at the drop-down list for Write debugging information. This must be set to Memory Dump of or Memory Dump Complete.
Write memory dump file to registry
Once we have made this check that we have just mentioned, then we start the Registry Editor. This is something we achieve by simply typing the regedit command in the Windows search box. Once we have the editor on screen, we go to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/sdbus/Parameters
Next, we right-click on an empty space in the right pane and select New / DWORD Value (32-bit) and name it ForceF0State. We double click on the key we just created and set the value data to 0x1.
Once this is done, we click OK and then we are going to make the dump file it is not deleted on reboot, even if we run out of free disk space. For this we go to the following editor key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlCrashControl
Next we right-click on an empty space in the right panel and again select New / DWORD Value (32 bits). We name it AlwaysKeepMemoryDump and set its value to 1.
Check virtual memory on the system
Once we have finished with him Windows’ register, we also need to make sure that the maximum size of the page file is greater than the amount of RAM of the computer. This is something we can take a look at again in Advanced System Settings, as we saw in the first step. Here, in the Performance section we click on the Settings button. We go to the tab called Advanced options and the configuration of the paging file size of the virtual memory it must be greater than the amount of RAM on the PC.
To finish we only have to restart the computer.
