There is a global systems outage that appears to affect Windows computers running CrowdStrike security software. Systems that have updated are crashing with a BSOD (Windows Blue Screen of Death). If this issue affects you, there is a quick fix.

How to fix the BSOD

• Boot into Safe Mode or into the Windows Recovery Environment
• Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike
• Find and delete C-00000291*.sys
• Reboot

How to boot into Safe Mode

1. Interrupt Normal Boot Process:
   • When your PC starts, wait for the Windows logo to appear.
   • As soon as it does, forcefully shut down your computer by holding down the power button.
   • Repeat this process two more times.
   • On the fourth boot, Windows will detect the interrupted startup and offer you advanced options.
   • Choose “Advanced options,” then “Startup Settings.”
   • Click “Restart.”
   • Now, press the corresponding number key (usually 4, 5, or 6) to select the desired Safe Mode option:
     • Press 4 or F4 for minimal Safe Mode.
     • Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking (useful if you need internet access).
     • Press 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

If you’re in West Cumbria and need help with this give us a call on 033 0001 1087 or email info@tulltech.co.uk and we can walk you through the process.

Update: Have you tried turning it off and on again? 15 times.

Microsoft are reporting that multiple reboots are fixing this issue for people running Virtual Machines!

As a small software development company, Covid-19 doesn’t have a great impact on us. Computer programmers have naturally been practising social distancing for years! It’s an occupation that requires intense concentration with hours spent staring at obscure looking computer code. A lot of the kinds of technology that people may be using for the first time to allow them to work remotely, programmers have been using for a long time. So if you need any advice on the technology side of things do get in touch.

We have had to temporarily put up shutters on some of our clients’ websites and we can only earnestly hope that they can make it through this crisis. These are strange times.

With a potential drop off in new work, it would be a good idea to look at some of the in house software projects that we have had sitting on the backburner and to take the opportunity to skill up our team.

Stay safe and remember to keep washing those hands!