Initial Problem:

One of the most frustrating things about troubleshooting random blue screen errors is that the computer reboots before you have a chance to write down the error messages so you can google them later. I remember watching one of my friends trying to time it so he could snap a picture with his camera before it rebooted…

Instead of dealing with all that, we’ll just turn off the automatic reboot option and force the blue screen to stay there.

Solution:

Right-click on the Computer icon and choose Properties. Windows Vista users will be taken to the system properties screen, so click on Advanced system setting

The Advanced tab should already be selected, so you’ll want to click the Settings button under “Startup and Recovery”.

Here we go… just uncheck the option for Automatically restart under the System failure section.

Next time you get a BSOD you’ll be able to see it and able to write down the error message. You’ll have to manually reboot the computer if this happens, of course.