Kernel Power Critical Error, event id 41

Anonymous
2013-02-01T18:35:44+00:00

Good afternoon,

I have been having this problem for a little while now and it's incredibly frustrating.

At random intervals my system will restart without warning.  I have disabled the automatic restarting in the system protection settings and I have read through the Knowledge Base articale found here: ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028504 ).

I am not overclocking my system and I have run MemTest to check the system memory.  My Power Supply is a 500w unit and my usage is far below that as best I can tell (Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3, Intel i5 3450, Corsair 2x8GB RAM, WD 340 GB HD, HP DVD Writer, USB Mouse, Keyboard, Headphone, WebCam, and  5 cooling fans).  All my fans are running, operating correctly and free of dust (I blow them out regularly).

Windows is up to date and I have updated all of the drivers (I think) that I can.  I have also enabled the kernel dump feature in the system protection settings and, as of yet, no dump file has been created by any of these events (13 in the last 7 days

  • 5 today).

This error occurs at random intervals, even when the system is sitting idle in the middle of the night.  I have allowed my system to sit with a Linux Live CD loaded up and have not noticed it rebooting then, so I am guessing it's not a loss of power kind of thing; it very much appears to be some kind of problem with Windows and the software drivers or hardware that I have.  This is extremely frustrating and I just want my system to work and not feel like I have to fight with it to do so; dare I say it kind of makes want a Mac (*ducks*).

If anyone has any ideas, please help me out.  I'm debating whether to pull my own hair out or throw the computer out the window.

Thanks,

Michael

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2013-02-11T23:50:37+00:00

Your last sentence caused me to realise none of your recent unexpected restarts have resulted in the production of a dump file.

Most system failures result in a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) and a dumpfile report is created providing that the computer has been configured to create reports.  In a limited number of system failures no dumpfile is created. A report is generated when the computer is next booted and placed in the System Log in Event Viewer. The report is given an Event ID number 6008 and gives very little helpful information, save that the cause is unknown and that it occurred at the date and time specified. . A further report is placed in the Reliability Monitor with a red orb on the Miscellaneous Failures line and it is recorded as a Critical Failure. Unfortunately the Technical Details for this type of failure reveal no additional information.

The more common causes of this type of failure all relate to power failure.

These can be because:

  1. The user has pressed the Power On / Off button.
  2. A power failure or a loss of supply to home or office where the computer is located. If this has happened it will often be obvious because electric lights are other electrical appliances switch off.
  3. A faulty electrical appliance on the same electrical circuit as the computer or the computer trips the contact breaker or blows a fuse and switches off the supply for safety reasons.
  4. The power cable between the mains power socket and the computer becomes disconnected at either end.
  5. A power surge or lightning strike occurs. Your computer should connect to an uninterruptible power supply unit, which then connects to the mains supply. If an incident occurs you will have to reset the uninterruptible power supply unit. Without one of these units in place a lightning strike or power surge can damage the computer beyond repair.
  6. A faulty power supply unit. The best test here is to remove the existing power supply unit and replace with a known good power supply unit having the same capacity. Most home users do not keep a spare power supply unit to hand.
  7. A damaged or disconnected power cable or motherboard connector within the computer. You can check the cable is properly connected but a damaged motherboard is not easily checked.
  8. If the computer is a laptop check whether the battery can be fully charged, holds the charge and was or was not connected to a mains supply when the failure occurred.

A related Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028504

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-12T00:38:31+00:00

    Michael

    I rely on a computer repair professional to deal with my hardware problems. Few home users have spare power supply units lying around.  Your problem could be a failing motherboard. Can you test the electrics on a computer? I cannot.  The important thing is to choose someone you can trust. Too many users go to the Geek Squad where you end up replacing unnecessary items and a big bill. If the person you go to is a stranger just ask for an estimate for testing the system and his recommendations on how to fix the problem.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-02-12T00:24:07+00:00

    Gerry,

    I read that article again a couple of days ago and I'm stating to think there is *nothing* else it could possibly be; otherwise there would be something in the logs at some point in time, right?

    Going down the list ...

    #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 are absolutely not the case.  I have other things on the same circuits, powers strips and there has been no loss of power to the whole house.

    #7 and #8 have already been checked, rechecked, and checked and rechecked again.

    #6 is the only thing left.  I do not know how to check the PSU, except to swap it out for another one (and hope the new one is good) ...

    I am just not sure I see any other item that we haven't already looked at.

    Thoughts?

    Michael

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-02-11T21:59:09+00:00

    Gerry,

    And it happened again ... Sometime between 2:30PM and 4:15PM the computer rebooted.  I looked at the application logs and there is no errors at all.  There is also nothing in the system logs that would indicate a problem either.

    I did notice something called 'gupdate' that appears a LOT, but doesn't appear to do anything since the description ends up being "The description for Event ID 0 from source gupdate cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer."  That is disconcerting.

    I uploaded new logs files to my skydrive in case you would like to look.

    https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=62C91C18AE0BDB44&id=62C91C18AE0BDB44%21108

    Is it possible this is somehow hardware related?  I don't know, flaky power supply or something?

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-02-11T17:38:43+00:00

    Gerry,

    The SetPoint software was a fresh download from the logitech website.

    The last SetPoint application was reinstalled about 24 hours and the last error was logged on 2/9/2013 at 12:28:09 AM, about 36 hours ago.

    The last reboot occurred on 2/8/2013 at 6:35:09 PM, about 6 hours before the last SetPoint error.

    Do you think the two related?

    Thanks,

    Michael

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