'STOP' error message

[Guest]

I have a Dell Dimension 3000 running Windows XP Home Edition; Service Pack 2.
I'm not aware of the severity of this problem, though it is a recurring one.
Sometimes, when I'm performing basic computing tasks (e.g. Web browsing, word
processing), instantaneously, the computer's screen will blackout, rebooting
to a blue screen. I've learned that this screen is called a 'STOP error
message'. Why do these messages appear, and what can be done to resolve this
recurring problem? Is it a simple computer glitch or something more complex,
possibly an internal problem?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Hello Kevin,
The STOP message means that Windows has encountered a severe condition and
it cannot continue. (Technically there is no rebooting when this happens. It
simply displays the exception on a new screen with a blue background. It is
commonly referred to as a Blue screen of death or BSOD).

When this happens, you want to write down the complete STOP codes and the
text around & below it. The codes can be helpful for doing research & then
doing some analysis. Hopefully followed by a cure. You also want to keep a
track of which program(s) you were running on and what you were doing.

See Aumha.org page on "Troubleshooting Windows STOP MESSAGES"
http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

Without knowing your specific STOP code, one cannot speculate on where the
problem originates.