Method 1: Memory (RAM) Test for Corruption
Sometimes hardware-related SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M blue screen errors can be because of memory (RAM) corruption. If you are experiencing random computer reboots, receiving “beep” codes on start-up, or various other computer crashes (in addition to 0x1000007E BSOD errors), it is likely that your memory could be corrupt. In fact, almost 10% of application crashes in Windows are due to memory corruption.
If you have just added new memory to the computer, we recommend temporarily removing it to make sure it is not the reason for your SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M error. If this action fixes your BSOD, this will certainly be the source of your problem, and therefore your new memory is either incompatible or bad. If that is the case, you will then need to replace your new memory modules.
If you haven’t added any kind of new memory, the next action is to execute a diagnostic test on your computer’s existing memory. A memory test will scan for hard memory failures and recurring errors, either of which could be triggering your 0x1000007E blue screen of death.
Although later versions of Windows include the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool, I highly recommend using Memtest86 instead. Memtest86 is a BIOS-based memory testing software, unlike other testing programs that must run within Windows. The advantage is that it enables you to test ALL of your memory for SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M errors, while various other programs can not test the section of memory occupied by the software itself, the os, and other running programs.
How to run Memtest86 to scan for memory corruption causing 0x1000007E STOP errors:
1. Grab an unused USB flash drive and connect it to your PC.
2. Download the Windows MemTest86 USB image.
3. Right click on the image file, and select the “Extract to Here” option. Extract the file folder anywhere you can get to easily (eg. your Desktop).
4. Inside the extracted folder, run the included imageUSB tool, and choose your plugged in USB drive to turn into a bootable drive. CAUTION: this action will erase all data on the USB drive.
5. Memtest86 will now be installed on your USB and you are ready to test for the possible source of SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M errors.
6. Restart your PC with the USB drive installed.
7. Memtest86 will begin testing for memory corruption.
Follow the on-screen commands.
If all of the above steps were unsuccessful, and Memtest86 finds memory corruption, it highly likely that your SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M blue screen error is due to bad memory. If this is the case, you will need to replace the bad memory to resolve your 0x1000007E BSODs.
Method 2: Install all available updates
There are always improvements being carried out by Microsoft through updates which work on Windows system files that could be associated with SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M. Sometimes resolving your Blue Screen Errors problems may be as simple as updating Windows with the latest Service Pack or other patch that Microsoft releases on an ongoing basis.
To check for Windows Updates (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
1. Click the Start button.
2. Type “update” into the search box and hit ENTER.
3. The Windows Update dialog box will appear.
4. If updates are available, click the Install Updates button.
Method 3: Check if your hard drive is corrupted
While most storage-related, 0x1000007E blue screen errors are caused by problems with your hard disk drivers or storage controllers, in some cases these BSODs can be attributed to hard drive corruption.
With time, your COMPUTER could develop errors on the disk drive due to repeated, unintentional misuse. Improper shut downs, “hard closing” programs, corrupt or incomplete installation of software (eg. Windows Os), Microsoft Corporation hardware failure, and power failures can corrupt your file system and stored data. Therefore, you may experience blue screen errors related to SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M.
Microsoft has included a convenient utility called “chkdsk” (“Check Disk”) to scan and repair hard disk corruption. If the previous troubleshooting steps did not resolve your 0x1000007E STOP error, running “chkdsk” may uncover and repair the cause of your BSOD.
How to run “chkdsk” (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
1. Click the Start button.
2. Type “command” in the search box… DO NOT hit ENTER yet!
3. While holding CTRL-Shift on your keyboard, hit ENTER.
4. You will be prompted with a permission dialog box.
5. Click Yes.
A black box will open with a blinking cursor.
6. Type “chkdsk /f” and hit ENTER.
7. “chkdsk” will begin scanning for hard disk corruption that could be causing 0x1000007E STOP errors.
Follow the on-screen commands.
Method 4: Run sfc / scannow
1. Search “Command Prompt” in the search box, right click on it to Run as Admin.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. The system will perform the repair automatically.
4. Reboot the system after the automatic repair is done.
Method 5: Try a Clean Installation of Windows
If the methods mentioned above didn’t help you much, consider this step as a final option to fix your SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M error. Reinstalling Windows will erase everything from your hard drive, allowing you to start again with a fresh system. Furthermore, a clean install of Windows will also quickly clean out any and all “junk” that has accumulated over the normal usage of your computer.