Old HP Compaq

[IcSilk]

Actually the dump will provide information on the faulting module that isn't otherwise available as well as a stack trace back. That in itself makes it easy to diagnose a bad driver versus a hardware error. The trace back also shows what code was in memory and executed recently. It is much more specific than simply recalling that text was being edited, an email client and a browser was also running.

I've never used a .dmp before nor a traceback. right now (on the HP) I have searched and found the most recent .dmp (6-1-2011) and amazingly I got it to connect - a tiresome process not for the impatient). Im looking for a way to open the .dmp now.

This is taking a really long time and I hope its not for nothing (its taken me the better part of an hour just to get the system specs, find the .dmp and get this thing connected).
Im not wasting my time here am I. I don't mind spending the time to do this Id just hate to find out I spent so much time on nothing lol.

Since I have no data on my HP that I will miss, could I reformat the hard drive or something to return it to its original state? Since Im not trying to save any date, would this be a wise first step?