| Windows is Your Friend!This is actually a feature built | | | | system unit and looking at scary wires and stuff, so |
| in to all versions of Windows, a free gift from | | | | for some people just living with the problem may be |
| Microsoft. The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is there | | | | a workable option.More likely, you have a software |
| to help you. Sometimes people work too hard, and | | | | problem. Some programs just don't get along... they |
| they need a break from the computer. Windows | | | | trample on each other's memory spaces and |
| automatically senses this (although sometimes it is | | | | confusion (or the BSOD) results. And it seems that |
| fooled by excessive cursing and/or pounding on the | | | | Windows just gets old and cranky the longer you |
| keyboard), and forces you to take a break by | | | | have it installed. You may solve the problem by |
| displaying the BSOD.Most people find that if they | | | | re-installing the Windows operating system and/or |
| shut down the computer, consume a mind-altering | | | | your software packages. If the problem seems to be |
| substance, and then resume working, things work | | | | limited to one particular program, try re-installing just |
| pretty much better for the rest of the day. | | | | that one first.Time For a New Computer?And |
| However, if you find that the BSOD is popping up | | | | sometimes, bad things just happen to good |
| even when you're NOT over-worked or | | | | computers. If your computer is more than three |
| over-stressed, there may be a hardware and/or | | | | years old, it may be functionally obsolete. Read How |
| software issue involved.What Causes the Blue Screen | | | | to Buy a Computer article for help in determining if a |
| of Death?Sometimes bad or flaky memory (RAM | | | | new PC is the right solution for you.BOB RANKIN... is |
| memory, not your hard drive) can cause seemingly | | | | a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys |
| random system crashes. If you have just the right | | | | exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his |
| combination of programs open and system memory | | | | experience with others. His work has appeared in |
| in use, and your computer tries to access a "bad | | | | ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is |
| spot" on a RAM chip, the results can be unpredictable. | | | | publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, |
| Or they can be the Blue Screen of Death. You can | | | | author of several computer books, and creator of |
| try replacing your RAM sticks one at a time to see if | | | | the website. |
| the problem goes away. This involves opening up the | | | | |