How to force an ASR

[John Dear]

Is there a utility that I can execute on a test server to force an ASR to occur? I need to test ASR traps. Thanks.

[Jesse Zellmer]

You could try setting the registry value "CrashOnCtrlScroll". What this does is create a memory dump, then after 10 minutes, the ASR should kick in and reboot the system. Has worked for me in the past when troubleshooting an issue with Microsoft.

Instructions (from Microsoft):

- Configure the system to dump memory:
1) Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2) Locate the following key in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt\Parameters
3) On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:
Value Name: CrashOnCtrlScroll
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1
4) Quit Registry Editor....
5) Then reboot the machine.

=========================================
Do the following keystrokes to generate a memory dump:
Hold down the RIGHT CTRL key, and press the RIGHT SCROLL LOCK key twice.
=========================================

Hope this helps!
Jesse

[John Dear]

Jesse,
Thanks for the response. We followed the instructions and caused the server to reboot. However, it rebooted immediately and not the 10 min as indicated. Is this a Microsoft reboot or Compaq/HP agent caused reboot? I did not see ASR trap sent to my trap receiver, and was hoping for this. How do I cause ASR?
Thanks!
John

[Jesse Zellmer · Accepted solution]

The ASR default is to wait 10 minutes, then reboot, so it must have been a MS reboot. My other thought would be to check if Automatically Restart is checked.

In My Computer --> Properties --> Advanced --> Startup and Recovery --> Settings --> try unchecking "Automatically restart", then do another memory dump.

** We had to do this when troubleshooting a BSOD issue with Microsoft. After the server would blue screen, 10 minutes later the ASR would reboot the system and increment the counter by 1 (viewable in the System Management Homepage on the server).