One of the most dreaded sites a Windows user will see is the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.” At one time or another seeing a blue screen error is just part of using Windows, however, repeated errors are a sign of some underlying trouble.

Blue Screens, What are they?

Screenshot of blue screen error on Windows XP.

Bluescreen errors are also known as Windows stop errors. In simple terms, it means that Windows encountered an error or situation that it could not recover from. The operating system halts and displays the eye-catching blue screen error. This is also commonly known as a computer crash. Sometimes simply rebooting your PC will allow you to keep working … but again, frequent Windows errors should be viewed as an indication of deeper issues.

Why do BSoDs Occur?

Many things may cause a Windows stop error, but here are some of the most common causes:

• Software errors – software or device drivers may become corrupted and cause a stop error.
• Hardware errors – if a piece of hardware has failed, is malfunctioning or is removed during Windows operation, a stop error may be generated.
• Startup errors – or errors during Windows startup may be caused by corrupted system files and drivers and also by hardware problems.
• Random or intermittent errors – usually caused by failing system memory and/or problems in the Windows registry.

Now that we’ve identified the main culprits, let’s talk about what you should do after a PC crash.

Troubleshooting PC Crashes

Many times after a computer crash, you’re PC will boot into “safe mode” which is a troubleshooting version of Windows (only the most essential drivers and software are loaded). While in safe mode, run both a virus and spyware scan. Sometimes problems are revealed while in safe mode that can otherwise avoid detection. This is because during normal operation certain files are in use and cannot be properly scanned. If anything is found and removed – this may be cause of your system crashes.

Next run a Windows Update, this will look for any known software updates that your PC requires.

If the stop errors are occurring during Windows startup, this may indicate problems with your hard drive. Run the check disk utility that comes with Windows. This will scan and attempt to repair any problems on your hard disk.

To check your system’s memory, download and run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. This will scan and report on the condition of your system’s memory.

An Overlooked Cause of Blue Screen of Death Errors

If the PC crashes continue, try running a registry cleaning utility like Regcure (direct download link). Since Windows and every program on your computer uses the Windows registry, problems here can manifest themselves through PC freezes and crashes and overall slowness. A good registry cleaner will scan your registry looking for things like data corruption, broken references and unneeded entries that slow your overall PC’s performance.

We only touched on the main causes of PC crashes, there are certainly others. Hopefully you found this information helpful.