Kernel-mode dump files
When a kernel-mode error occurs, Microsoft Windows displays the blue screen with bug check data by default. However, you can choose from several alternative behaviors:
A kernel debugger, such as WinDbg or KD, can be contacted.
The system can automatically reboot.
A memory dump file can be written.
A memory dump file can be written, and the system can automatically reboot afterwards.
Create and analyze kernel-mode memory dump files.
There are three different varieties of kernel-mode dump files. However, no dump file can ever be as useful and versatile as a live kernel debugger attached to the system that has failed.