Ok, what is a Blue Screen of Death, anyway? Technically, it is called a Stop Error. It happens when Windows notices a problem that cant be dealt with normally, so Windows puts on the brakes and everything comes to a screeching halt.
Thats why it's called a "stop" error, because there is an error so big everything has to stop.
Where do they come from? Typically, Blue Screens happen because of software corruption. Sometimes a display driver malfunctions, or there is file corruption because of a virus.
Blue Screens have variations in what say they and in the severity of the problem, although they are usually only visible to an experienced eye.
There are typically three variations:
- The Blue Screen that says "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer..." etc.
- The one that says that but includes a "STOP: OxOOOOOOca" or something similar.
- The last one has words in ALL CAPS with underlines between the words. These messages say something like "DRIVER_IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL"
With the first type, you can restart the computer by pushing the power switch on the case, counting to 10 and pushing the power switch again and hope.
If that doesnt work, restart again, and try Safe Mode. During intial power up, when you see the logo of the machines manufacturer (HP, Dell, etc.) repeatedly tap the F8 key and click on Safe Mode in the menu that appears.
Then restart normally.
With the second type, also try restarting and Safe Mode. Otherwise call a repairman.
With the third type, write down what the all caps words say and call a repairman. Also withy the third type, try to remember when your last backup of the data you feel you cant lose was.
Hope that it was recently.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section and I will answer them.
Hi Peter,
ReplyDeleteWhat is safe mode and how do you do it?
Diane
Hi Diane,
ReplyDeleteWhen you turn on, or re-start, your computer, you want to press, repeatedly, the F8 button at the top row of your keyboard.
You will know that you are successful when you see a menu of options labeled "Advanced start-up options menu."
If you get to the Windows loading screen, you didnt tap the F8 key soon enough or often enough.
Thanks Peter
ReplyDeleteI've seen blue screens also occur due to hardware issues usually mostly related to excessive heat in the box. I also remember that back in my geek days I would get blue screens from overclocking the cpu a tad too far. I would then pull back until the blue screens stopped happening. What was once a geeky and somewhat "forbidding" activity has now gone mainstream, I notice AMD sells cpu's which they market on the basis of how well you can overclock them.
ReplyDelete