Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is caused by a failure of hardware of driver (software) issue. Depending on your Windows version,
the blue screen will look very different. On the Windows 10 version, it is much more user friendly as it gives details on what
has caused the blue screen. There are many kinds of blue screens, but the most common errors deal with the PC’s RAM or maybe
even driver errors. The best solution is to check the details of the blue screen and check on the cause of the blue screen.
Common Blue Screen Errors and the solutions
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE | Missing driver | Update or install driver |
| NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM | High CPU memory usage | Search for costly processes in the Task Manager; uninstall/reinstall programs in question if necessary; check hard drive on which Windows is installed for errors in Windows processes (Right-click, then “Properties”, “Tools”, and “Check”) |
| IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL | Incompatible or outdated device driver | Deactivate drivers for recently installed devices via the device manager (search and run “mmc devmgmt.msc” command in Start menu); then obtain the newest version of the driver from the device manufacturer and install |
| FAT_FILE_SYSTEM | Corrupt file system | Check hard drive function; search and run "chkdsk" in Start menu |
What Should You Do?
The first steps you should take when you encounter the blue screen:
- 1) Remember exactly what you were doing on your PC before the blue screen appeared. Are you playing games or just editing documentation?
Are you watching a video or are you in a video conference? The answer serves as a good clue as to the cause of the blue screen. Record the
last action as much as possible. Ideally, you should know exactly which programs are open.
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2) Check the temperature of your PC. If the heat is unusually high, it may not be ventilated properly. This may be because there is not
enough space for proper air distribution. For example, dust contamination can also damage equipment as it has a significant impact on the
temperature and performance of the system. In this case, a blue screen as a "precautionary measure" is not uncommon.
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3) Remove all unnecessary connected hardware such as external hard drives, headphones, cameras, and USB drives. In some cases, the blue
screen is triggered by a faulty device or the operator of the device.
- 4) If your computer does not restart automatically, wait a few minutes and then restart manually.
Prevention towards BSOD
There are no complete ways to protect from the BSOD, as internal errors can occur even through no fault of its own user. The BSOD can occur as a result of any faulty updates or even due to hardware failures. There are certain steps that can be done to prevent losing any important data and reduce a chance of BSOD.
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1) Make a backup of your data and documents. Blue screens often indicate hardware failures, including hard drives, so all important data needs
to be backed up externally. Back up your files to an external drive or to the cloud to minimize damage from potential system errors. The easiest
way to do this is to use the Windows backup tool. Go to “System Settings” under “System and Maintenance” and select “Create computer backup”
(Windows 10: Backup and Restore). You can then back up your recommended or custom files to a hard drive of your choice (such as an external drive).
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2) Update your device, system drivers and Windows to the latest version. Typically, these updates are processed automatically. Incorrect/Error
in updates rarely result in a blue screen. However, in general, we always recommend updating to avoid potential compatibility issues.
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3) Protect yourself from viruses and malware with the latest antivirus software with active scanners and firewalls. In some cases, this malware
can cause serious system crashes and cause Windows to react to blue screens. Malware can also simulate a blue screen to fool users.
- 4) Keep your computer clean. Make sure the fan runs smoothly to avoid damaging the device. Turn off your computer when not in use. Uninstall unnecessary software and monitor background processes. Do not click on suspicious links on the Internet, and if possible, only download files from trusted sources. Careful and accurate maintenance of your computer will extend its life and reduce the likelihood of system errors in the form of blue screens.
Do take note to consult an IT support when available after the general troubleshooting, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 6295 5962 or drop us an email: info@achievement.com.sg. We are ready to help if you encounter any IT issue.
