Help - Desktop (Linux, Mac and Windows)

[DragonMetal]

I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the latest updates but I've noticed in the past month or so Spotify, and Spotify only, has been crashing my computer though sometimes Spotify itself will crash and my computer is fine. I usually get that "blue screen of death" though and then my computer restarts itself.

The crash happens everyday (though not everytime) I run the program. Anyone else experiencing this problem? I had added a lot of local files to the program but surely this cannot be the cause..?

[jtarlton]

Same (or similar) problem here. No clue why it happens, thought it was my PC overheating, but it only happens with Spotify, not with any other software.

[David]

Hello,

Have you guys tried a clean installation of Spotify on your device? That might help here.

[tkrokowski]

I am noticing the same issue here as well. The only time I get the BSOD is when I'm running spotify. I received an update about a week ago (I think) and have not had the time to see if this release has the same fatal issue.

[jtarlton]

Just tried uninstalling and reinstalling, will post here again if the problem persists.

[overfloater]

Weird.

This is the kind of thing that's nigh upon impossible for a third-party (like me) to troubleshoot from a distance, but a good start would be to post up machine and OS specs: Windows version, CPU, video card, audio card/onboard audio, etc. The problem with troubleshooting Windows machines is always that there are about a billion different hardware and software variables.

Though I'll be honest and say that -- especially if you're having this problem on Win7 (which is pretty darn solid) -- my absolute first reaction to a BSOD would be to check for flaky RAM, even if it's only one particular app that's causing the crash. It's not always the most demanding applications that cause problems like this, so you could be playing CoD4 just fine while Spotify makes it throw a fit; it just depends whether the app happens to hit the sensitive area of memory sufficiently hard.

So if a reinstall of Spotify doesn't solve it, Memtest86+ and Windows Memory Diagnostic are two good options for testing the RAM. (Bear in mind these will require bootable CDs/floppies, as you don't want to test RAM from within an OS.) Beyond that, the basic "first step" hardware solutions to try would be: blowing out the dust (isn't that always the first recommendation?!), checking for heat issues, and removing/reseating the RAM modules.

While I'm not diverting blame from the Spotify client, I will say that it's become increasingly rare (with later versions of Windows) for me to run into crashes/hangs/random reboot issues -- and particularly something as severe as BSODs -- that didn't eventually turn out to have a root cause in failing hardware. There's also an outside chance it's a problem with the audio driver, in which case checking for updates there may not be a terrible idea.

[Valerian]

I also have the same bugs since a few days, on Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate edition (genuine)

sound card : Creative X-Fi Titanium

CPU : AMD Phenom II x4 955

I used this computer intensively for 2 years, this is the first time i have a bsod.

I had no bsod while using other softwares, but spotify gives me a bsod eventually every time i use it long enough (1 to 20 mn usually).

It seems to be often during the first few seconds of a song : everything hangs (mouse, keyboard, screen, etc ...) and the sound is looping on what seems to be a quarter second buffer, then i get a bsod after a few seconds.

Usually just after this bsod windows will do another bsod during boot. then automatically reboot on a system backup.

Of course i tried to reinstall Spotify, and also check my RAM : nothing wrong there.

I just bought a new gold grade 500W power block (i had a 300W before, a bit low) but it does not solve it either. 

Like you said, win 7 is usually robust, i never had any problems with it, and never had to do any restore/repair on windows, and this install has been made 2 years ago.

I will be happy to help you debug it on my system if you want (remote desktop etc ...).

[neo-x Producer]

Have you checked the application logs from Event Viewer or installed Windows Diagnostic tools to review the memory dump Windows creates after it crashes? All the diagnostic information might give some insight on whats causing it to crash. Sometimes Chipset drivers along with Creative Labs drivers cause mysterious crashes.

[neo-x Producer]

I've seen quite a few messages that Spotify is causing computers to crash.

Could people who are having these problems post their rigs technical specifications listed with dashes (-) so it could help pinpoint anything that is common with the problem machines.

I've been running Spotify on different rig setups and never had any problems with it.

Windows XP Professional - SP3
Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit) - SP2
Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) - SP1

1)

When the crash occures and computer reboots / needs to reboot be sure to check the event logs for oddness or errors timed at the time of the crash / spotify startup.

Start -> Search -> eventvwr

2)

Check if windows creates a memory dump at the time of crash

Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced Settings -> Settings ->
Kernel Memory Dump

You could also try to remove the automatic restart to see what is the error codes or reasons provided in the BSOD

3)

Check http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35246 for more details on how to check what the memory dumps have inside. Debug what is the cause of the problems.

NOTE: To do stuff correctly without without damaging the system - BE CAREFUL! If you don't know what your actually doing - Don't do it.

(This is what I'd try to figure out).

[davidmf]

Hi!

Received a Spotify update yesterday I believe. Today, it won't load, straight after I try to login I get the BSOD!

I will try uninstalling spotify then re-installing it.

Some feedback and any help would be very appreciated!

I am running Windows Vista. Here is the problem report I keep receiving:

Product

Windows

Problem

Shut down unexpectedly

Date

08/05/2012 00:26

Status

Report Sent

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: BlueScreen

OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3

Locale ID: 2057

Files that help describe the problem (some files may no longer be available)

Mini050812-01.dmp

sysdata.xml

Version.txt

Extra information about the problem

BCCode: 124

BCP1: 00000000

BCP2: 8415D3F0

BCP3: 00000000

BCP4: 00000000

OS Version: 6_0_6001

Service Pack: 1_0

Product: 768_1

Server information: f0bfeb3f-638d-4a1f-ab2e-16a68db1b094