The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
Posted by FixErrors on May 18th, 2009When Microsoft released Windows 3.1 in the early 1990s, they did so hoping to accomplish a couple of things: build up a substantial market share, and offer their customers a reliable, user-friendly operating system. As any Microsoft detractor would tell you, they achieved one of those goals.
Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world, and it has been the de-facto standard operating system for nearly 20 years. Windows 95 further broadened the gap between PC and MAC, with Windows XP creating a massive divide between the two types of computers.
What Every Version of Windows Has in Common
Aside from being developed by Microsoft, what does each version of Windows released so far have in common with each other? Having trouble figuring that one out? Here’s a hint: the blue screen of death (BSOD). The BSOD, aside from being the most common computer error and the most widely known, is also the most infuriating. Thanks to the way it is executed, all of your unsaved data is lost in the event of a BSOD.
The BSOD typically displays a STOP CODE (a STOP CODE looks very similar to 0×00000024). Unless you’re a computer technician the STOP CODE is going to be worthless to you, but make a note of the STOP CODE so you can Google a solution for it later.
Windows 98, during a press demo run by Mr. Bill Gates himself, experienced a BSOD when attempting to run a printer via plug & play. Even for the owner of the company that makes Windows, the elusive BSOD can come and go as it pleases.
What to Learn from a BSOD
It’s important to remember that a BSOD happens for a reason. Just like how the check engine light of your car comes on when something is wrong with your car, a BSOD/STOP CODE are only displayed when things aren’t working as planned.
Even though the BSOD is the most common computer error most people don’t know what to take away from it. A STOP CODE won’t be displayed for no reason, and during a BSOD a stop code is ALWAYS displayed. A little research about your error will almost always lead you to a resolution for the issue at hand.
Tags: blue screen, blue screen of death, bsod