Blue Screen Of Death

"STOP 0x0000008E error message", "Page fault" or else the "Blue Screen of Death". Usually followed by the words, "Ctrl-Alt-Del". This is Windows way of saying, "I just can't take it anymore" as it makes a lunge for the door. The system stops working and you lose everything you have been working on. Slamming your head against the wall you pray that that the next boot will resolve the issue.



There are many reasons that blues screens may occur. The most common are...

1. Hardware failure,
- usually an old motherboard. An indication of this would be over-sized, burnt or leaking capacitors (the small cylindrical vats sitting in clusters on the big circuit board inside your computer.) Don't be fooled though. A number of times I've seen rusted and melting boards while the cylinders have been intact!

- faulty memory, either video RAM, cache or system memory. A BSOD could follow after you have tried to run a program or game.

- a hard disk drive error. The thing in your computer with all your personal stuff and windows and pictures and music and downloads? Well thats about to go kaput, so BACK IT UP FAST!! Or at least take it to someone who you can trust that can do it for you.

2. Software problems,
- the most popular? Yup you've guessed it, Windows! Just check for any updates at microsoft.com. You'll be looking for the ones marked "Critical"!

- faulty or out of date drivers, or corrupt and unresponsive software. Try to download the latest updates for your computer, or check the version of the software you are using.

- and games. Games...? Yes, games! Bought or downloaded any pirate software? Well apart from being liable for prosecution, you may also have been infected with Malware. Short for 'Malicious Software', this includes all forms of virus which can disable RAM and corrupt windows.

In conclusion the Blue Screen of Death and other computer errors are not always fatal. You can nearly always repair the problem with just a little patience. Just make sure you know where to look for help.