The 0x000000CD Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), labeled as "PAGE_FAULT_BEYOND_END_OF_ALLOCATION", indicates a critical memory error caused when the system attempts to access memory beyond the bounds of a driver's allocated pool. This is a severe violation that forces Windows to crash to prevent further system corruption.
In essence, a faulty or misbehaving driver has overstepped its memory boundaries, either due to a bug, corruption, or a conflict with the operating system. This kind of error can point to deeply embedded issues with third-party drivers or poorly developed hardware/software integrations.
When a driver allocates memory from the pool (a reserved section for drivers and kernel operations), it must only use the range it has been given. If it tries to read or write past that range, it results in a page fault—a memory access violation.
This is often a programming mistake or a sign of a bad driver, malicious code, or memory corruption.
Here are the most typical reasons this BSOD occurs:
Most commonly caused by a device driver that over-allocates or mishandles memory.
System files responsible for handling memory and driver operations can become corrupt, leading to bad memory accesses.
If your RAM is failing, the OS might believe it’s accessing valid memory even when it’s not.
Overclocking memory or CPU beyond safe limits can cause unexpected memory access errors.
Some malicious software attempts to manipulate drivers or kernel memory, causing illegal access to memory.
Multiple drivers accessing the same resource pool without proper synchronization.
Follow these steps carefully to isolate and fix the issue:
To prevent further crashes while troubleshooting:
The built-in Driver Verifier tool checks for illegal driver operations.
Your system may crash again, but this time it will generate logs pointing to the exact faulty driver.
To disable Driver Verifier if stuck in a boot loop, boot to Safe Mode and run:
verifier /reset
Once you've identified the faulty driver:
Run a deep scan using trusted antivirus or anti-malware software. Rogue software may hook into drivers.
Corrupt memory can cause boundary violations.
Corrupted system files can result in driver misbehavior.
sfc /scannow
Then run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates, especially if you're using newer hardware on older firmware.
If all else fails:
The 0x000000CD PAGE_FAULT_BEYOND_END_OF_ALLOCATION BSOD is a clear sign that something is seriously wrong with a driver’s memory handling. While it can be caused by faulty RAM or malware, it usually traces back to poorly coded or incompatible drivers. By carefully following the diagnostics and repair steps above, you can not only fix the error—but also strengthen your system’s resilience for the future.
If you’re still having trouble, consider reaching out to Support.Com for a personalized solution to all technical support issues.