Many people have encountered the ‘Blue Screen of Death’ (BSOD) while operating their computers. This occurs when there is an error on your computer while running Windows, causing it to lock up and display a blue background with white text. The computer then needs to be rebooted. There are various reasons as to why this might happen, but chances are that the computer was simply not powerful enough to run the amount of programs it had opened at the time. If you are unfamiliar with computers, the only way to fix this is to call IT support.
One reason that the BSOD can appear is from using your computer for long periods of time. When it overheats, the BSOD acts as a prevention measure to avoid any damage to the CPU. A simple solution would be to take breaks from your computer every so often or to get a cooling fan to keep it from getting too hot. This simple prevention method can save you hundreds of dollars and many hours of time.
Sometimes, though, the problem can be more complicated. With older machines, the amount of RAM it has is less than the amount necessary to run newer applications. If this is the case, it won’t matter how much you prevent it from overheating, as the computer itself simply isn’t powerful enough to run the program you’re trying to use. This does not necessarily mean you need a new computer. Upgrading the RAM is not very expensive, and it will make your computer run much more smoothly. Another possible cause for the BSOD is a bad memory stick that needs to be replaced. Testin the memory is a good approach if possible. If that is not possible, replacing the memory could be a good first step.
Before taking anything apart, make sure you check how much RAM your computer has first. This can be done by opening the control program in Windows and checking your system information. Also, check to see what the minimum requirements are for the program you were trying to use when the BSOD occurred. Chances are the amount of RAM you have installed is less than the minimum required. Again, if you’re not familiar with any of this, the best solution is to call IT support to avoid any further damage to your computer.
After you’ve taken care of the problem, be sure to keep your computer up to date with the necessary minimum requirements for any future versions of programs you attempt to use. The BSOD is not only limited to old computers. This doesn’t mean you will need to fully upgrade every month, but simply checking the technical specifications on a program before trying to install it can prevent the chances of you ever seeing the BSOD again.
Finally, if the memory troubleshooting did not prevent the event from reoccuring, a thorough review by IT consulting professionals who are proficient in computer troubleshooting of the minidump generated by the Blue Screen will help to pin-point the cause of the failure.
Finally, if the memory troubleshooting did not prevent the event from reoccuring, a thorough review by IT consulting professionals who are proficient in computer troubleshooting of the minidump generated by the Blue Screen will help to pin-point the cause of the failure.