Today we open a new column dedicating a space to answer some questions that are asked by readers. Although I try to provide general guides to solving computer and internet problems with articles, more specific errors often occur.
It therefore seems appropriate to publish the most interesting questions that are asked to me using the contact form (top right) to try to offer a solution that can also be useful to others in the future.
In this first appointment we see the first 5 issues concerning the serious error of Windows that occurs on XP and previous versions with the blue screen and on Windows 7, more often, with a restart or a sudden shutdown of the computer .
In general, to understand what the blue screen error is, I recommend reading the Windows "blue screen" crash analysis guide and looking for the cause of the error .
1) Question : My computer suddenly shuts down a few seconds after turning on, what happens "> Changing the power supply is cheap and, if you are good at working with electronic parts, it can also be done at home without involving a technician.
If changing the power supply does not solve the problem, the motherboard may be damaged.
In this case, one cannot ignore expert technical assistance so that he can repair or change the PC motherboard.
If during the power on, no particular beeps or strange noises have been detected, a problem related to RAM or the graphics card can be excluded.
READ ALSO: If the PC turns itself off with a sudden shutdown, what to do
2) Q : I just got a BSOD (Blue Screen) in Windows 7 with BCCode 19 written, what does it mean?
A : BCCode means Bug Check Code and the list of Windows Bug Codes is available online at the Microsoft support page.
According to the guide, the Bug Check error 0x19 is described as: BAD_POOL_HEADER and is followed by some BCP parameters such as:
BCP1: 0000000000000020
BCP2: FFFFFA80043B6000
BCP3: FFFFFA80043B6410
BCP4: 0000000004410000
So understanding BCPs is very difficult so I wouldn't focus on those numbers to figure out where the problem lies.
It is certainly not an error related to any program or software.
Unfortunately, the problem is related to hardware and, most likely, the computer's physical memory has been damaged.
If the error occurs occasionally, the computer is trying to say that the RAM needs to be changed.
To ensure that the memory is really defective, you can run the MemTest program to be used by starting the computer via CD or USB (depending on the version of Memtest downloaded) after burning the MemTest ISO (to know how to start the computer from CD or USB or how to burn an ISO, use the search above).
If Memtest detects any error, it means that it is necessary to replace the RAM memory card without delay.
To change the RAM memory yourself you can follow the guide for DIY computer repair and RAM change.
3) Q : A blue screen (BSOD) appeared on my computer, what happened?
A : If it is the first time that the blue screen of the serious error appears, to answer I would need to understand two things:
- Has the operating system supplied with the computer been installed, or has a DIY installation of the Windows system been carried out?
In this case, if possible, I recommend that you restore your computer to factory settings using the supplied CD.
The manufacturer's installation disc certainly contains all the software and drivers to make Windows compatible with your computer which is not to be taken for granted if you proceed with a customized installation.
- By chance, the error occurred after connecting something to the PC via the USB ports?
Unplug it and see if it still occurs; probably the driver of that device is incompatible with other peripherals or with the system itself.
Check the date of the most updated drivers on the manufacturer's website and, after checking that they are recent, download and install them.
- Or after new drivers have been installed?
Then try to start the computer in safe mode (by pressing F8 just before the Windows boot starts) and uninstall the latest drivers.
If the answer to the three questions is negative, then all that remains is to try to reinstall the computer's operating system.
If that doesn't work either, some hardware on your computer is likely to be damaged and you will need to replace it.
The most common BSOD error is Stop 0x0000000A: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL of Windows XP
4) Q : BSOD error (blue screen) often occurs with BCCode 0x1000007E after performing a new installation and the computer restarts after about half an hour. How can I solve this problem?
A : This type of code may be due to bad communication between the motherboard memory controller and the RAM contacts.
If you want to try a DIY solution, open the computer, locate the RAM, remove it (see guide on how to update the RAM to know how to do it), clean it with a soft cloth using isopropyl alcohol (90%) and then dry it with a breath of compressed air (not with your mouth or with electrical appliances).
Since you open your computer, it wouldn't hurt to clean the motherboard connection contacts always with a little alcohol.
If this repair does not work, refer to question number 2 and run a MemTest to find out if you need to change the RAM.
5) Q : My laptop turns itself off, without showing a blue screen or anything, and there is no error warning; How can I solve this problem?
A : Finding the cause of this common problem is easy, but unfortunately the solution is difficult and can be expensive.
Always assuming that it is always a hardware problem (see question 3), if the laptop shuts down on its own it means that the CPU has overheated.
Overheating of the CPU or processor in a laptop is often caused by air vents clogged with dust or condensation that heat has created on the processor.
I am almost sure that if you turn on your PC under an air conditioning flow, it will not turn off.
Another cause of this, more rare but possible, may be the breakdown of the temperature sensors.
In this case the computer does not understand if there is too much heat and, for safety, shuts down.
Try to clean the laptop fans, try to check, very carefully if the inside is clean.
If it is not resolved, unfortunately, all that remains is to change the CPU and its cooling system, a rather expensive operation.
In this regard, I would also like to make a small public complaint: Some companies sell "expired" notebook models, that is, built so that they cannot last too many years.
However the problem of CPU overheating in laptops is very frequent due to the small size of the fans.
I always recommend using programs to keep the temperature and heat of your laptop under control to make it last 10 years.
In conclusion, remember that if the PC shuts down on its own, it is usually a problem of temperature, processor, power supply or cooling system; if the PC suddenly restarts it is a software error (driver or programs with bugs) or hardware (power supply); the blue screen on the other hand usually has to do with RAM.
READ ALSO: Stop the Windows 10 automatic recovery loop
