SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

Microsoft has issued a hot fix (a special update) to fix this issue:

In Windows XP SP2 only, install this Microsoft hot fix to correct the issue (Microsoft article 900485).

In Windows XP, if when removing a CardBus Compact Flash (CF) adapter the pci.sys driver faults, you will need to install the current XP service pack (Microsoft article 839641).

In Windows Vista, pre-SP1, if this error occurs after waking from sleep or hibernation with the driver usbhub.sys, you will need to upgrade to the current Vista service pack (Microsoft articles 929734 and 930311).

The system disk (typically C:) may be full. We recommend at least 1 GB of free disk space be left on the Windows system drive at all times. To get additional space:

• Remove deleted files (right-click on the trash-bin and select Empty recycle bin)
• Remove unneeded files, such as browser cached files.
• Move files to another drive or media
• Compress or Zip large files to take up less space
• Transfer the system to a new larger drive

Several software products that can help clean and remove unneeded files are Fix-It Utilities Professional and SystemSuite Professional. If you need to move or copy a partition or entire drive, you could use Partition Commander or similar product.

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.

Check if this software bug applies to your system:

In Windows XP, old versions of Logitech iTouch or Mouseware software are incompatible. Remove or upgrade these drivers.

Confirm the hardware is working correctly using a hardware diagnostic program. If you suspect a specific hardware item, such as memory stick or video card, try replacing it with known good hardware.

Don't overlook the possibility that hardware was not installed correctly, especially anything you installed just prior to the problems starting. Make sure all cards and memory are securely seated in their slots. Verify disk drive cables are properly connected and are not loose.

Several software products that offer an extensive range of hardware diagnostics includes Fix-It Utilities Professional and SystemSuite Professional. Other diagnostic products include Eurosoft's PC Check and Iolo's System Mechanic.

If you just installed new hardware, confirm it is really compatible with the Windows. Use Windows compatibility page for newer Windows. The XP compatibility page was removed from the Microsoft site in Nov-2010.

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.

A some of the most popular driver download sites:

• CPU and Chipset Drivers: AMD, Intel, Via
• Video Drivers: ATI, Intel, Nvida
• Computer and other hardware manufacturers

Check with the PC manufacturer if you're using the latest BIOS or not. If not, update to the current version.

A few of the manufacture's download or support links for a motherboard/BIOS update:

If the BIOS is current, it's possible bad BIOS parameters are causing the problem, especially if the memory or CPU settings are overclocked. The BIOS parameters are stored in CMOS memory. The best way to reset the BIOS parameters is to remove the CMOS battery. To do this:

1. Unplug the PC, and open the case.
2. Locate the battery on the motherboard - typically a silver coin cell.
3. Remove the battery and note if the plus side is up or down, so you can reinstall it later the same way.
4. Wait at least 1 minute and reinstall the battery.
5. Attach power and power up. Typically a BIOS warning message will indicate CMOS was corrupted or changed and it may require you to go into the BIOS setup to set the time and date.
6. Proceed to boot Windows and see if this fixes the issue.

Some BIOSes have options to enable/disable caching and/or shadowing. If the options are available, disable caching and shadowing. Most newer (2005+) systems do not have these options. There are many BIOS makers and customized versions of the BIOS, so you may have to enter BIOS setup and look a bit to find these options. Typically you press a key like Esc, Del, F1, or F2 before Windows starts (almost right after you reboot) to enter BIOS setup. Consult your computer manual for details. The setup key can also be found in our BIOS access list.

Check out what others say about this issue and review or add your own comments and solutions!

A system thread generated an exception that the error handler did not catch.

After the Stop code will be 4 hex values: {Parameter 1, Parameter 2, Parameter 3, Parameter 4}.

Parameter 1 specifies the exception code that was not handled. Common codes include:

0x80000002	An unaligned data reference was encountered.
0x80000003	A breakpoint or ASSERT was encountered when no kernel debugger was attached to the system.
0x80000005	A memory access violation occurred.

Parameter 2 specifies the address where the exception occurred.

Parameter 3 specifies the address of the exception record.

Parameter 4 specifies the address of the context record.