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| Thread ID: 21677 | 2002-07-01 09:01:00 | FAQ 19: What is a BSOD, and how do I get one? | Elwin Way (229) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 58809 | 2002-07-01 09:01:00 | FAQ 19: What is a BSOD, and how do I get one? ______________________________________ BSOD stands for Blue Screen of Death . As the name implys, you don't really want one . BSOD is closely tied with Microsoft's operating systems . Due to large number of system bugs, a blue screen can appear freezing basic operations, an application's work, or even with no occasion, decreasing system's functionality, or permanently hanging it at . BSOD displays as an blue screen, filled with a more or less clear error message . Bugs are scattered quite liberally in most of Microsoft's operating systems, so the BSOD, an error reporting system as well as an end to all your current work is in fact a feature . What would it be, if we had no BSOD? It would only cause confusion and chaos, because Windows, without a Blue Screen just is not good old Windows . Your machine would just die with no explanation . A BSOD is like the rolling of the credits at the end of a movie, you know it's The End . If you're really hanging out to experince the BSOD, you can get one by mucking around with system files like user . dat (the registry), win . ini, system . ini etc . You can also try replacing all your hardware drivers with ones that are not made for your system . There are several types of BSOD, depending on the error message . If the message is "Error reading from CD-ROM drive . . . " it may be a dirty CD or it may be due to the fact that you have removed the CD a bit before the computer was done with it . Simply replace the CD that was in the CD-ROM drive and press any button . All should be well . All the other messages you may see generally mean "Whoops, your computer has made a bit of a stuff-up somewhere along the line . Since we do not know what it is, your best bet is to reboot . " And yes, your best bet is to reboot . If you are getting the same error message constantly, you may want to look into it - or have someone else (who you can blame later on if it doesn't go away) look into it . Possible causes are: *Corrupt operating system - reinstall Windows . *Bad memory - remove one module at a time to see if this helps, however if you have memory check enabled in your bios, you should see if you do have bad memory, on bootup . If you only have one module, try to replace it with a known good one . Alternatively, check that your memory is seated properly in the sockets . (see other FAQs on how to do this . ) *Cracked motherboard (mainboard) - I have actually had this . The board had a hairline crack in the circuitry . The computer worked fine for 10-15 mins, then crashed . The board was expanding as it warmed up, parting the crack at a certain temp . You need a good eye to pick this one out . *Loose pulgs - open up your case and check that all the pugs, cables, chips, everything is plugged in nice and firm . An intermittent connection may cause 'random' BSOD's . *Incorrect/faulty device drivers - right click on My Computer (Windows 9x & ME) and choose properties . Click the device manager tab and see if there is anything with an ! next to it . If so, you may need to either (re)install the right drivers, or remove the device from the list . *Hard drive failure - run scandisk (at least) to see if there is a problem with your hard drive . *Corrupt application - if you get a BSOD whenever you run a certain program, it usually means that the install is corrupt . However, some applications that have been poorly programmed may simply just not like your system . Also, be sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements of the application that you are trying to run . *Virus - unlikely as most viruses (virii?) are written to perform much simpler or sinister tasks . Either they will wipe your hard drive or just reset your home page . However, don't take my word for it - do a full scan anyway . There are a few free virus scanners available, but you might be better to pay for a good one . In most cases, reinstalling Windows will get rid of the feard BSOD . |
Elwin Way (229) | ||
| 58810 | 2002-07-01 09:24:00 | > In most cases, reinstalling Windows will get rid of the feard BSOD. I personally would be more inclined to say that reinstalling windows *should* lessen the likelihood of a BSOD appearing. |
-=JM=- (16) | ||
| 58811 | 2002-07-01 09:36:00 | Note that the sentance starts with "In most cases..." | Elwin Way (229) | ||
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