Computer Error Troubleshooting
Solving Blue Screen Errors and Popup Error Messages
On windows-based computers there are 2 general types of computer errors. The first being pop up errors that occur when a program crashes or when a program executes a command that the computer cannot process. The second type of computer error is often nicknamed the blue screen of death because just before the computer reboots itself, a blue screen appears.
The blue screen of death is most often caused by something called a device driver conflict, meaning that one of the pieces of software that controls a printer, scanner, modem, or other device has made a request that compromised the stability of the computer's basic functions. Both types of computer error are difficult to troubleshoot, but this article will attempt to give some basic guidance.
Troubleshooting Computer Error Popups
Computer error pop-ups often occur as a result of a malfunctioning piece of software. Windows is designed to give each program a portion of the system's resources, and if a program oversteps these bounds the system will often terminate the program automatically to prevent it from destabilizing the entire system. When this occurs write down the computer error code and attempt a Google search using that error message as the search text.
Quite often the search will lead to a forum post or knowledge base entry that shows that others have had the same problem in the past. If this is the case by doing a more thorough search it is often possible to find the specific cause of the error and occasionally a solution to the problem.
Blue Screen Computer Errors
The most frustrating computer errors are the blue screen errors that typically occur with device driver conflicts. Although blue screen errors can be caused by many different things, one of the first things to consider when troubleshooting this type of error is to think about what has changed recently with the computer. Has a new peripheral been installed?
Has the computer recently installed a driver update for an existing printer or other device? If the computer was working fine and suddenly develops repeated blue screen of death style computer errors then something has changed that is causing the error. Remove the new device and see if the problem continues.
Like with pop-up errors, it may be tempting to write down the cryptic computer error message that flashes on the blue screen prior to the system rebooting. For the vast majority of fatal system errors this information will sadly not provide any real assistance toward solving the problem. In case of a fatal computer error the best troubleshooting course of action is to do as described in the previous paragraph, remove any new devices or drivers and if all else fails contact the computer's manufacturer.
