Recurring Error Messages

Recurring Errors

If your computer seems to be plagued with errors, then there's probably something very wrong. If the error in the last section occurred every time he used Excel (or even every second or third time), then it would merit some troubleshooting.

That's when you need to start recording information. Does it occur randomly, or just with that one program? Does it happen when running similar programs? For instance, does the error occur when running your Internet Browser, and your Online Banking Program, and your faxing application?

This goes for all types of errors. If they happen consistently, or if you can duplicate the error, or make it happen at will, then there is a problem. If your computer consistently locks up in Windows, try running it without any other programs running in the background. If the program still freezes or if it locks up before Windows starts, you need to go through a clean boot to try and find the problem.

I discussed the Clean Boot in last month's NewsLetter. If you missed it, click here for the HTML version.

If your computer has slowed down over the months, its not an uncommon occurance. New programs, TSRs or hardware means that your computer has more to do, or more devices and configuration to check at startup and when running. Perhaps the hard drive needs to be defragmented, or perhaps you need to clean out unused or improperly removed programs and files. Perhaps the new CD-RW you piggy-backed on your hard drive is affecting its performance. Some of your new programs may require more RAM, or a better video card to run more efficiently.

For some reason, pop-up error messages have always reminded me of an old Bill Cosby routine I heard many years ago...

It was about a football player. Because the game he was playing in was being televised, he had to sign a contract that he wouldn't touch himself in any inappropriate places. Of course, he got hit between the legs and couldn't get up. He went to grab himself, remembered the contract, and grabbed his head instead. When they got him back to the bench, just to make it look good, they bandaged his head!

That's exactly how error messages seem to work. Software programmers can't foresee every problem that may arise! There are lots of errors that can occur, that don't have corresponding messages. In some cases, another unrelated message may pop up, ...just to make it look good!

If you understand what causes them, and what they mean, they can be a great help in solving the problem. So let's take a look at some error messages.

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