A Few Ordinary Computer Errors, What They Mean, and How to Locate Online PC Support

PC glitches may crop up when least expected, they can cause the entire PC to abruptly shut down, or they can unfortunately mess up your data to the extent where it cannot be understood - one reason you should have offsite backups. Although they can't always be avoided, it's crucial to remember that computer error messages may usually be corrected. The answer is to find out what personal computer error messages are, learn what they mean when they appear, and understand how to minimize their popping up at all. Advice is available via online PC support.

Essentially, computer errors are the result of various things which might or may not be related to the way the personal computer is utilized. They are generated whenever there is a conflict between commands. You should know that personal computers basically run by a series of instructions, and it is usually a smooth routine. However, in case one instruction clashes with another command - or when one command asks for a process or information that isn't available, the personal computer spits out results which are not usable: that's a glitch. The most feared error message is the fatal Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) which appears on your screen whenever something has caused your system to crash.

A common instance of this type of glitch is when novices attempt to run software that is not suitable for their PC. Nearly all programs include a list of system requirements which specifies what a computer needs to have  for the application to run properly. To minimize glitches of this type, you must verify that your computer has the needed parts. A project management software package that you are interested in may require a certain operating system, like Windows 7 for example. And even though this software package may install OK on a Windows XP system, it will cause a string of error messages once it's started.

Insufficient memory will cause error messages also. For this reason programs usually specify minimum RAM needs. A program that needs 14 megabytes of memory will cause errors on a personal computer that only possesses 4 megabytes of memory available - if it will start at all. The same goes for hard disk space, display color range and resolution. In such cases, issues crop up the moment that a program tries to connect to the items (hardware, RAM, hard disk space, monitor resolution, etc.) which it cannot locate.

Because some software packages share common dynamic link library files, error messages could also occur when these common DLLs aren't updated. For example, let's say that Program A is already installed on a personal computer and it's running just fine. Then consider that the PC user downloads and installs Program B. Program B uses a DLL that Program A installed much earlier, but when Program B is run, error messages appear. Those glitches are caused by Program B attempting to access an obsolete common DLL that was included with Program A. So that he can remedy that issue, the user must find on the Internet a newer version of the shared dynamic link library file (which speaking mildly - isn't an easy thing to find or install).

At times, errors appear when a computer does not have the right drivers or if the drivers which are installed in the computer are the incorrect version. Both glitches in these cases may be resolved by checking for updates to the system on a frequent basis. Microsoft provides a section on its servers which can automatically install updates to a personal computer online, and that company does this free of charge in order to to reduce glitches like this. Always try to keep your personal computer updated in order that in case a program shares a DLL, it will share the same dynamic link library file that has been updated on millions of computers like yours.

This essay doesn't even begin to address the entire gamut of personal computer error messages - but more information concerning methods to locate assistance with a computer problem (including computer glitches) may be read in my article on "Computer Help" regardless of what the problem is. You may also look up online PC support to help resolve these error messages.

Best regards,

Bob Hosken
"Dr. Bob the CompuNerd"