A critical Windows server running a financial application unexpectedly crashes, displaying a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) before rebooting. The system is configured to generate a complete memory dump file upon system failure. After the server is back online, a systems administrator needs to perform a root cause analysis. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step in the troubleshooting process?
Immediately reboot the server to restore application availability.
Reinstall the server's operating system from a known-good image.
Analyze the generated memory dump file with a debugging tool.
Replace the RAM modules and the power supply unit (PSU).
The correct answer is to analyze the memory.dmp file using a debugging tool. When a server crashes and generates a memory dump, the file contains a snapshot of the system's memory at the time of the failure. This file is crucial for post-mortem diagnostics. Using a tool like Windows Debugger (WinDbg) to analyze the dump file allows an administrator to examine the state of the system, including running processes, loaded drivers, and the specific error code, to pinpoint the root cause of the crash. This aligns with the troubleshooting methodology of first establishing a probable cause before taking corrective action. Rebooting the server only restores service temporarily without addressing the underlying issue. Replacing hardware like RAM or the PSU without evidence is a premature step and may not solve the problem. Reinstalling the OS is a drastic measure that should only be considered after other troubleshooting steps have failed, as it would erase valuable diagnostic data.