Meaning of Event ID 18 from WHEA-Logger in Win7?...

Applies to:

Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7

Details
Product: Windows Operating System
Event ID: 18
Source: Microsoft-Windows-WHEA-Logger
Version: 6.1
Symbolic Name: Boot Performance Monitoring
Message: A fatal hardware error has occurred.

Reported by component: Processor Core
Error Source: Machine Check Exception
Error Type: Unknown Error
Processor ID: 1

The details view of this entry contains further information.


Explanation

This error indicates that there is a hardware problem. A machine check exception indicates a computer hardware error that occurs when a computer's central processing unit detects a hardware problem.

Note: WHEA stands for Windows Hardware Error Architecture.

Some of the main hardware problems which cause machine check exceptions include:

System bus errors (error communicating between the processor and the motherboard)
Memory errors that may include parity and error correction code (ECC) problems. Error checking ensures that data is stored correctly in the RAM; if information is corrupted, then random errors occur.
Cache errors in the processor; the cache stores important data and code. If this is corrupted, errors often occur.
Poor voltage regulation (i.e. power supply problem, voltage regulator malfunction, capacitor degradation)
Damage due to power spikes
Static damage to the motherboard
Incorrect processor voltage setting in the BIOS (too low or too high)
Overclocking
Permanent motherboard or power supply damage caused by prior overclocking
Excessive temperature caused by insufficient airflow (possibly caused by fan failure or blockage of air inlet/outlet)
Improper BIOS initialization (the BIOS configuring the motherboard or CPU incorrectly)
Installation of a processor that is too much for your motherboard to handle (excessive power requirement, incompatibility)
Defective hardware that may be drawing excessive power or otherwise disrupting proper voltage regulation


User Action
Update the BIOS and the drivers for the motherboard chipset.
Update all the hardware drivers, if updates are available from your manufacturer.
Check the temperature inside the computer to make sure your processor and related peripherals are not overheating.
Check the fan on your CPU to make sure it is properly attached to the CPU.
If you have overclocked your CPU, reset your settings to the default settings.
Make sure you power supply fan is working correctly

Try reseting the BIOS to default values. You may well have to reset some options after doing this, but reset to default, save and power down. Unplug from the wall and let it sit for a minute. Then power back up and go back into the BIOS and set your boot order, save again and see if that changes anything. Might take a few days to see if no new entries are added to the event logs.