Discussing Laptop Repair Techniques

Blue Screen Of Death: 4 Possible Causes And Solutions

by Eva Gilbert

Most computer users have encountered the phenomenon known as the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). The Blue Screen of Death, also known as a STOP Error, will appear when a computer system experiences a serious problem that it cannot handle, usually driver or hardware related. The BSoD generally causes the computer system to automatically reboot, but not before a blue screen appears indicating a problem. Learn the most common causes for the blue screen of death and how to fix them.

1. Memory Corruption

Computers use Random Access Memory (RAM) modules to temporarily store data that the system refers back to while operating. If the computer's memory becomes defective, this temporary data is lost. When the system tries to refer back to the data during operation, it can't find the information it needs, resulting in a Blue Screen error.

Fix: Before you can fix a memory corruption, you must first determine the cause of the problem.

  • Most minor memory problems can be fixed by simply rebooting the computer.
  • If you were trying to use software directly before the Blue Screen error, check to see that your computer meets the system requirements for the program.
  • If your system is using a management program, uninstall it to see if it stops the Blue Screen errors.
  • Check to see if your computer has enough free disk storage available. WinHelp.us recommends at least 10 GB of free space on a 100 GB system drive.

2. Trojan Virus

Trojan virus or Trojan horse is a type of malicious software that can affect computer systems in a variety of ways. In some instances, the virus will delete important documents and files. If you have a Trojan virus, your system may give you false threat alerts, pop-up notifications and install programs without your consent. Due to the loss of data, the Blue Screen of Death can appear.

Fix: If you suspect that you have a Trojan virus, run an anti-virus and anti-malware program to remove the infection. These programs can be found free of charge on the Internet or can be purchased. Most commercial software is also offered for trial periods.

3. Driver Problem

One of the most common causes of Blue Screen errors is driver problems. Drivers are used to bridge communications between the operating system and the devices in your computer. Drivers that become corrupt or out-of-date can cause issues. Installing the wrong driver can also lead to a Blue Screen error.

Fix: To fix a driver issue, you must try to determine which driver is causing the problem. Look at each item in your computer's Device Manager to look for signs of trouble. In Windows computers, a yellow question mark indicates an issue with a certain device. In many cases, it may be necessary to reinstall or upgrade the driver.

4. Hardware Failure

Hardware failures can cause computers to crash and display a Blue Screen error. Many times, the blue screen will display information about the specific problem or the type of error the system encountered. Aged or faulty hardware can cause the system to overload and shutdown.

Fix: You can tell the difference between a software and hardware problem by starting the computer in Safe Mode. If the computer is able to start properly in Safe Mode, the problem is most likely software-related. Hardware errors should be fixed by a qualified technician.

Blue Screen of Death errors can be frustrating to deal with. As there are many possible causes for Blue Screen errors, it may be necessary to hire an HP third party maintenance company to access and repair your system. In most cases, computer issues that cause blue screens can usually be fixed and the system restored back to its original state.

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