As computer repair specialists in Harrisonburg, VA, we deal with our fair share of blue screens, or as they’re commonly called, the “Blue Screen of Death”. According to Microsoft, a blue screen is actually a stop error which can,
“occur if a problem causes your PC to shut down or restart unexpectedly. When you experience this type of error, you won’t be able to see things like the Start menu or the taskbar on the screen when your PC is turned on. Instead you might see a blue screen with a message that your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.”
When it happens to you, it can be hard to figure out if it’s a big problem or something much smaller. With that in mind, here are 5 steps to try next time you have a blue screen.
1. Ask Yourself What You Did
This may seem basic, but in terms of computer repair, it’s a very important step. Think to yourself:
- Did you install something new?
- Was a driver updated?
- Is it a Windows Update?
If you did any of those, undo it and test again for the STOP error. Depending on the change, you can do one of the following:
- Start up again using “Last Known Good Configuration”
- Use “System Restore” to undo system changes
- Roll back the device driver
2. Check Your Amount of Free Space
It’s a good idea to check to see if there’s enough free space left on the drive Windows is installed on. Blue Screens of death and other issues like data corruption can happen if there’s not enough free space.
3. Do a Virus Scan
Some viruses can cause a Blue Screen like this, especially ones that infect the master boot record or boot sector. It’s also important to make sure your virus scanning software is up to date and configured to scan the MBR and boot sector.
4. Apply Window Service Packs
Microsoft releases patches and service packs regularly for their operating systems that may contain fixes for your Blue Screen. It’s always a great idea to stay up to date with these.
5. Get Help If You Need It
One blue screen of death every once in a while is fine, but if it’s happening all the time, it may be time to see some computer repair professionals in Harrisonburg, VA and surrounding areas. If you have this problem, don’t hesitate to seek the help of Roz Hi-Tech. Whether you’re having issues with your Windows or even apple products, we are proud to support your system. From providing factory restoration and the installation of the OS you need to replacing damaged fans and the LCD screens, to selling replacement chargers and keyboards— we can keep your computer going. No matter the system, our dedicated staff is ready to find solutions to all your problems. Contact us today to get started.