There are several steps you can take to identify the hardware device that is causing your computer to crash.
1. Check for driver updates:
The first and most important step is to make sure all of your drivers, especially those related to the hardware device in question, are kept up-to-date. Outdated drivers can cause many issues, including system crashes. To check for driver updates, open your computer’s Device Manager, locate the hardware device, then right-click it and select “Update Driver Software.” If a more recent version is available, install it and reboot your system.
2. Perform a clean boot:
A clean boot helps isolate any conflicts between software and hardware, allowing you to troubleshoot the issue without being interfered with by any non-essential services or startup programs. To perform a clean boot, open the Run dialog box (press Windows+R) and type “msconfig,” then press Enter. Go to the Boot tab and check “Safe boot,” then click OK and restart your system. Log in using the Administrator account and check if the issue still persists.
3. Use System Restore:
If updating drivers or performing a clean boot does not help, you might have to resort to restoring your system to an earlier date. System Restore rolls back all the changes and applications installed after the restore point was taken, so it is a good way to identify if a certain program or application is causing the issue. To use System Restore, open the Control Panel, select “System and Security,” and then “System.” Under “System Protection,” click “System Restore” and follow the instructions to restore your system.
4. Perform stress tests:
If none of the above methods work, you can try running stress tests on the hardware device to determine if it is causing your computer to crash. Stress tests allow you to push the hardware to its limits and determine whether it can handle the load. They also allow you to identify various hardware problems and monitor the hardware’s temperature. You can use tools such as Prime95, IntelBurn Test and OCCT to perform stress tests on your hardware.
5. Use diagnostic tools:
Lastly, you can use diagnostic tools such as MemTest86, Hard Disk Sentinel and FurMark to check for any issues with your hardware. These tools provide detailed information about your hardware and can help you identify any potential issues.
These are the steps you can follow to identify the hardware device that is causing your computer to crash. If none of these methods help, it’s time to contact technical support or take your computer to a professional for diagnosis and repair.