I'm getting UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION blue-screens. Rebooting produces 3F0 "Boot device not found".

[BlakeSaraDad]

After the blue-screen, I reboot, and get the black screen msg saying the boot device can't be found.

But, if I power down and back up, the system loads just fine.  After several hours of operation, I get the blue screen again...

I've run chkdsk with repair. I've run Crystal Disk Info and NZXT Cam for diagnostics, and it appears that the disk drive is in good health still.

So, why is it reporting "no boot device" SOMETIMES when there clearly is one?  (I successfully boot after just powering down and back up.)

Why am I getting the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION, and how can I stop that?

Thank you to whoever helps me!

[BlakeSaraDad]

Addendum:

I ran SFC /SCANNOW, and it reported that it didn't find any integrity violations.

I *tried* to run chkdsk /F, and I restarted the laptop. This time, I *repeatedly* got the 3F0 error (meaning that I repeatedly turned the computer off and back on, only to get the 3FO again).  I waited a few minutes with the computer off, and tried again ---- successful bootup!  Chkdsk ran successfully, btw. Didn't report any errors.

I'm SURE the laptop is minutes away from another blue-screen / black-screen.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

It could be a faulty memory chip.

See the Microsoft tips below for how to troubleshoot the BSOD error:

Bug Check 0x154 UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION - Windows drivers | Microsoft Docs

You may also want to update the Intel RST driver to the latest version as well.

17.11.0.1000

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp135501-136000/sp135963.exe 

[BlakeSaraDad]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the driver suggestion.  I tried the link, got the file, and after the requisite HP "ok's", got an error message telling me: "You are trying to install this software on an unsupported platform. Contact your platform manufacturer for the proper software for your platform."   (From the Intel RST installation screen that said "The setup program ended prematurely.")

I followed the link for the exception. It says, "the kernel memory store component caught an unexpected exception". After running the UEFI system diagnostics (deep/long), nothing reported any problems with RAM, the SSD, etc.  However, after I get the blue-screen, I get the 03F0 "no boot disk found" error.  Can I assume that there's really no problem with the SSD or bootloader, and the error is just something spurious b/c of system instability after the blue-screen's exception?  I wouldn't think so, b/c if  I immediately power down and back up, I'll get a repeat of the 03F0 error -- SOMETIMES. Most of the time, the computer boots just fine after the BSD.  Since this a.m., my notebook has been running fine, btw.

I looked at the event viewer, filtering for errors. I found entries that said "unexpected shut down", but none of the the preceding or subsequent entries hinted at anything obvious TO ME. However, there is a recurring error that says "TPM firmware needs update".  I updated it last summer, when Win 11 became available and req'd it...

Another recurring error says that IntelAudioService.exe terminated due to an unhandled exception.  Could that bubble up and cause a BSD? Wouldn't think so.

The remaining step I haven't (can't/won't)  taken in your troubleshooting tips (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/bug-check-0x154--unexpected-store... ) is debugging - setting breakpoints and stepping through code!  Ugh.

Looking forward to your suggestions now!

Thanks,

Mark

[BlakeSaraDad]

While I'm at it.....I have an even more insidious problem I contend with...

After the notebook has been running say 24 hours since the last boot, the mouse gets jiggy.... It just relocates itself to the far left edge of my primary monitor, and does its own "click" event.

I could be typing in text field on a secondary monitor, and suddenly my keystrokes are being sent to whatever app might have opened inadvertently (it clicks on my desktop, generally). Strangely though, if the mouse moves, and I realize this, I can left-click with my mouse exactly wherever the mouse pointer was LAST (before the move -- restated, I don't have to physically move the mouse), and the mouse will return to its original location.

Searching Google just shows the usual solutions, like update your mouse driver, turn off the auto-move-to-the-window that has focus, etc.  But, I don't have a mouse that wanders across the screen. It teleports to the exact same spot, AND clicks!  Luckily, a reboot resolves the problem temporarily.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Mark.

Sorry that IRST driver didn't work for you.

I don't know why it didn't because it was supposed to be compatible on notebooks with the Intel 8th gen core processors.

Looking at your screenshot, I am inclined to agree with you that the problem may be with the drive.

There was a warning for the optimized DST, and you shouldn't be getting any warnings or failures.

I think if you keep getting the blue screen and boot device not found errors, you may want to consider replacing the drive.

The mouse problem...unfortunately, I would have no idea what's causing that to happen.

If you decide to replace the drive, check the battery to make sure it is not starting to swell.

If a battery starts swelling that can affect the mouse and touchpad operations because it is putting pressure on the components.

Battery swelling can occur if you leave the notebook plugged into the charger all or most of the time, leaving the battery in a high state of charge constantly.

You can refer to this discussion for more information.

Re: Battery swelling on Spectre - HP Support Community - 8459647

Below is the link to the service manual...

HP Spectre x360 Convertible PC Maintenance and Service GuideIMPORTANT! This document is intended for...

Here are some service videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X28lXIPL174

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq18BcznNRQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiCz2y3cTr8 

[BlakeSaraDad]

I think the swelling battery was the culprit. But now, I have a different problem --- perhaps easier!

I had to detach the ribbon cable that was on TOP of my SSD, and I saw a different connector than what's shown in the video you recommended. (In that video, the connector has a flip-up bar that holds/releases the ribbon cable. I'm now confused as to whether the cable is the audio cable or the power cable --- maybe both?)

My connector doesn't seem to have a bar that lifts to release and lowers to clamp. 

1) How do I release/clamp properly?

2) Can I assume that the laptop isn't powering up b/c the POWER CABLE is detached???  (I thought it was just the audio cable, but if it's the power cable, then this makes sense!)

Thank you!

Mark

(pictures will follow)

[BlakeSaraDad]

 I think I know what happened.

I think there was a white plastic piece that fractured. I thought it was part of the ribbon cable, but I now realize that it was part of the connector itself.

Any suggestions on how I can fix this?

Oh my gosh....

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with problems such as those (where ribbon cables go and broken pieces), and I suggest you start a new discussion.

Hopefully someone will be able to help you.