BSOD preventing any windows updated on ALL PCs in office

Troubleshooting Recurring Blue Screen Errors on Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Devices: A Case Study

Introduction

Maintaining a stable and secure IT environment is crucial for any business. However, encountering persistent system errors can disrupt operations and cause significant frustration. This article explores a real-world scenario involving recurring Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors across multiple Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q desktops running Windows 10, and provides guidance on potential troubleshooting steps.

Overview of the Issue

In this case, a small business experienced ongoing BSODs on several identical workstations. The primary error message displayed was “System Thread Exception Not Handled,” a common Windows error indicating driver or hardware conflicts. The problem was consistent—occurring with each attempt to install Windows updates.

Key Observations

• Hardware Configuration: Multiple Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q desktops
• Operating System: Windows 10, 32-bit edition
• Symptoms: Weekly BSODs during update attempts
• Error Message: “System Thread Exception Not Handled”
• Event Viewer Insights: Error indicating “The device driver for the TPM encountered a nonrecoverable error”
• Pending Updates: Windows 22H2 feature update and Intel System 2013.14.0.1529

Initial Troubleshooting Considerations

1. Event Log Analysis: The event viewer pointed to a potential issue with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) driver. TPM-related errors can sometimes cause system stability problems, especially during hardware or firmware updates.

2. Update Status: The device was pending two major updates. Pending updates can sometimes cause conflicts if previous updates or drivers are incompatible or corrupt.

3. Dump Files: Although mini dump collection was enabled, no dump files were generated during BSOD events, limiting some diagnostic possibilities.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

1. Verify Firmware and TPM Firmware: Ensuring that the BIOS and TPM firmware are updated to the latest versions can resolve compatibility issues. Manufacturers frequently release firmware updates tailored to fix hardware-level bugs.

2. Clear or Reset TPM: If the TPM is causing persistent errors, consider clearing the TPM in the BIOS settings. Warning: This action may lead to data loss related to the TPM, such as stored keys or encrypted data.

3. Update Device Drivers: Focus on updating drivers related to chipset, storage, and particularly the TPM driver. Use the manufacturer’s support tools or device manager to verify driver versions.

4. Manually Install Pending Updates: Instead of allowing