Ever since I started using Windows 7, I was sold as it being one of the best releases Microsoft has had. I have it installed on all 3 of my machines, plus have installed it on pre-existing pc’s for dozens of clients. So far until recently I have had no major issues reported by anyone. That is until recently. I have had a few clients call me telling me that they have had random Blue Screens of Death that pop up after they use the computer for a while. It has happened only on a handful of clients but when it does, they see the STOP: 0x0000000A error message.
One of the most common inside jokes by techs is “Its not happening on my pc”, unfortunately for me, even I have started seeing this error on 1 of Windows 7 pc’s. As I have discovered, it seems that Microsoft is also aware of this Windows 7 error as they have a knowledge base article (KB: 979444) which was just release on February 8, 2010 (LINK: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979444 (http://support NULL.microsoft NULL.com/kb/979444)). The issue (based on the article) affects
According to the KB, Microsoft says
This issue occurs because Power Manager opens an Advanced local procedure call (ALPC) port. However, Power Manager closes another port instead of closing the ALPC port. Every time that a power request is made, a memory leak occurs. When the leaked memory usage accumulates to a certain level, the computer crashes
If you are suffering a periodic 0x0000000A Blue Screen error, you can request the Hot Fix for Free from Microsoft by going to the Hot Fix request page for KB: 979444 (LINK: http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=979444&kbln=en-us (http://support NULL.microsoft NULL.com/hotfix/KBHotfix NULL.aspx?kbnum=979444&kbln=en-us)) where you will be asked to provide you email. Once you will out the form, you will receive the actual download link, via the email address you provide. The Hot Fix is specific to this issue, so it will NOT be included during Windows Update.
As of the installation of this Hot Fix, no one has reported the blue screen again. Including yours truly.