Methods and systems for utilizing and recording, writing, or logging data regarding system events occurring within a computer are provided. These systems and methods define a unique erased value, such as the hexadecimal value 0FFh, that identifies unused memory records in an event log. When the computer system receives notification that an event has occurred, it searches for the next memory record containing the erased value in a memory record field designated as a search byte field. Once the unused record is found, the event data concerning the event that occurred is stored in the identified memory record, without updating a pointer to the next unused record. A power event method is provided to update the pointer. A utility application is also provides functions for reading, displaying, erasing, and compiling and displaying statistics concerning the event data in the event log independent of a next unused memory record pointer.