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A kernel timer or DPC was found in memory...
STOP: 0x000000C7
Description
A device driver has a bug that freed memory while failing to cancel a timer or process it created in that memory.
Some older versions of Windows may show the description as "TIMER_OR_DPC_INVALID".
This is a fatal Windows error, typically called a Stop message, Bug Check, or more commonly the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). The system is in a forced reboot state. Any unsaved work is likely lost.
Sample Screen
A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
A kernel timer or DPC was found in memory which must not contain such items. Usually this is memory being freed. This is usually caused by a device driver that has not cleaned up properly before freeing memory.
Technical Information:
*** STOP: 0x000000C7
Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further
assistance.
Text may appear differently depending on where the error occurs.
Additional technical information (hex values) specific to a machine are not shown.
Key Facts
Full Title
A kernel timer or DPC was found in memory which must not contain such items. Usually this is memory being freed. This is usually caused by a device driver that has not cleaned up properly before freeing memory.
Check if you are using the latest hardware drivers, especially the chipset and video drivers. Older drivers are a common contributor to BSoD issues.
You can use a product like Driver Genius or Radar Sync to verify you have the latest drivers and help keep all your drivers up-to-date. If you're comfortable with driver installations, you can individually find and install current drivers.
Install the latest Windows software updates. Don't forget to check for non-critical updates too!
To manually get updates, open Internet Explorer (you can't use a non-Microsoft browser for updates).
For IE 8 and later: Click on Safety, then Windows Update. Follow the instructions.
For IE 7 and older: Click on Tools, then Windows Update. Follow the instructions.
FaultWire Staff Posted: 5-Oct-2008
Uninstall the Last Install
6
If you can get the system up for more than a few minutes or can use safe mode, try removing the last installed software application or driver.
For removal of an application (Windows 7 & Vista):
Click on Start, Control Panel, then Programs and Features.
Select the software to uninstall and select Uninstall.
For removal of an application (Windows XP):
Click on Start, Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs.
Select the software to uninstall and select Remove.
To disable a driver:
Bring up the system information dialog:
On the keyboard, press the Windows key + Pause/Break.
or
Select Start, right click Computer and on the drop-down, select Properties.
Click on the left side option Advanced system settings(7/Vista only).
In System Properties, select the Hardware tab, then click on Device Manager button.
Find the hardware/driver of interest (you may need to expand a choice at the "plus" graphic) and double click the choice.
Select the Driver tab. Here you can perform a number of actions such as update the driver, roll Back the driver to an older version, disable or uninstall the driver.
Click OK to exit, then close the Device Manager and other previously opened dialogs.
While BSoD fatal stop errors are identified by Microsoft Windows, they are often caused by
non-Microsoft applications, drivers and hardware issues.
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Notes
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