There are many reasons for the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) from virus attacks that corrupt a file needed by your Operating System to failing video cards. In many cases, it’s a problem with a device driver and you need to make sure you have the updates in place before you reload Windows.
So, when you see BSOD don’t panic. First, write down the error message you are seeing on the blue screen. Then, reboot your computer and recover your files to a working computer with Selkie Rescue over a network or to a thumb drive with Selkie Freedom. Then, you need to get to work fixing the problem that caused the error message.
The best way to start on the fix is to consult a few pages with ‘how to’ manuals. If I listed all the different codes here, it would just look confusing, so instead I’ve put some links below that should get you the info you need.
Once you’ve dealt with the error code, you can follow these steps (warning: it’s geek speak but just go step-by-step and you’ll be FINE!) to clean up your system:
After you use Selkie:
- Run a Check Disk for errors on your hard drive. A scan disk will remove bad sectors on the physical disk.
- Use your Windows CDs to boot your computer – there should be a repair option that comes up during the start up (boot). Follow the instructions.
- Windows can degrade over time, so a disk repair can start your operating system from scratch. Make sure you moved your data files first!
- After the repair process, run a system defrag to remove any dead zones or file fragments that can cause critical errors.
- Viruses cause all kinds of Windows errors. Run a scan to remove all viruses from your system.
- Once you know the viruses are gone, you will need to use a registry cleaner. There are many good options for registry cleaners online.
To prevent another BSOD try to keep your Windows OS updated by regularly logging out and installing the updates. If you can do this every night, even better.
Some useful articles
A clean computer is a happy computer!
:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/tp/stop_error_list_0×1_0×5f.htm
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Windows-XP-Blue-Screen-Death-STOP-Codes-t43519.html
http://www.prudentpressagency.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=12177
