Memory dump generation with quick reboot

A method for investigating a problem requiring a reboot of a computer, the method comprising:

• copying a first subset of a memory of the computer;
• rebooting the computer;
• limiting an operating system running on the computer to the first subset of the memory;
• and
• with respect to one or more units of the memory, for each unit:
• scanning the unit to determine a cause of the problem;
• and
• if the problem is a known issue, cancelling a completion of a memory dump to a storage device, and otherwise generating the memory dump with respect to the unit.

A system for writing data to a storage device, the system comprising:

• a physical main memory containing the data;
• a first subset of the physical main memory;
• an operating system configured to perform actions, including:
• copying the first subset of the physical main memory;
• causing a reboot;
• limiting memory usage following the reboot to the first subset of the physical main memory;
• and
• with respect to one or more units of the physical main memory other than the first subset, for each unit, writing data in the unit to the storage device and dynamically adding the unit for use by the operating system.

Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for writing data contained in a physical memory to a storage device, the instructions comprising:

• copying a first subset of the physical memory;
• rebooting the computer;
• limiting an operating system running on the computer to the first subset of the physical memory;
• and
• with respect to one or more units of the physical memory other than the first subset, for each unit, writing data in the unit to the storage device and dynamically adding the unit for use by the operating system.