Does anybody else get the "Blue screen of Death" ?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Does anybody else get the "Blue screen of Death" ?

Posted: 6/26/2001 5:51:30 PM EDT

OK, for you computer guys: I am constantly getting fatal exception errors (Blue Screen of death)only when I play computer games. It usually happens when I initially boot the game, or when I exit the game. The errors center around the VXM and VMM files. I am running Windows '98 , but was thinking of switching to Windows 2000. Think It might help? Any suggestions? Thanks.

Posted: 6/26/2001 5:55:46 PM EDT

[#1]

Sounds like the video card may have problems while switching resolutions.

Update your video and sound card drivers. Install the newest version of DirectX 8.0.
Make sure Win98 is updated too.

Posted: 6/26/2001 5:55:49 PM EDT

[#2]

Whenever I start getting the BSOD too much I just backup my data, format the hard drive and do a fresh install. Most of the errors come from Windows being a crappy OS, but when you install program after program you are bound to get some incompatabilites. Good luck with your problem.

Aggie1

Posted: 6/26/2001 5:56:30 PM EDT

[#3]

Most of the time when people start seeing lots of blue screens in the VMM and VXM modules, they have a bad piece of hardware somewhere. I had this happen to me in Win 95 a few years ago and it turned out my motherboard was bad and after I replaced it everything was fine.

Posted: 6/26/2001 5:56:34 PM EDT

[#4]

Never had THAT problem. Illegal operation, yes. Waiting for Bill Gates goon squad to kick in the door.

Posted: 6/26/2001 5:57:17 PM EDT

[#5]

When I leave my computer running, unattended for a long time (over 6 hours) then come back, I sometimes bet a Blue Screen of Death.

Posted: 6/26/2001 5:57:21 PM EDT

[#6]

Your computer wouldn't happen to be a POS Compaq, would it?

If so, they are known for that sort of problem...

[img]http://a1964.g.akamai.net/7/1964/1392/1dcf6501c8f9fa/images.ucomics.com/comics/mb/2001/mb010626.gif[/img]

Posted: 6/26/2001 6:00:02 PM EDT

[#7]

i used to get ALL the time, its notbeen too bad for a while. i dont know why, but perehaps its the lamb i sacrifaced over it

Posted: 6/26/2001 6:05:45 PM EDT

[#8]

My old PC used to give me the blue screen of death, eventually to the point where I had enough. I took it out and shot the crap out of it!! Not only was it fun, but now I have an all new set of problems with my new PC. Win 98 Sucks!

Posted: 6/26/2001 6:06:44 PM EDT

[#9]

I am using Windows 98 Second Edition and I get the "blue screen" a few times a week. It happened once earlier this evening. I have to use the "3-fingered salute" to get out of it. It is quite frustrating.

Posted: 6/26/2001 6:10:34 PM EDT

[#10]

Switch to Windows 2000 Professional. It is 100000 times better than windoze 98se

Posted: 6/26/2001 6:16:52 PM EDT

[#11]

all micro$hit products suck exept for maybe like uh DOS! ive gotten the blue screen of death with every damn windows ive tried one of these days im gonna just break down and run linux

Posted: 6/26/2001 6:19:59 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
OK, for you computer guys: I am constantly getting fatal exception errors (Blue Screen of death)only when I play computer games. It usually happens when I initially boot the game, or when I exit the game. The errors center around the VXM and VMM files. I am running Windows '98 , but was thinking of switching to Windows 2000. Think It might help? Any suggestions? Thanks.

View Quote

Actually, the BSOD is an NT term, for a core dump. Just a technicality.

Fatal Exceptions are usually caused, in Windows98, by two things:

1. Crappy/Defective hardware. This can be from adding way too much third party cards, with poorly written driver sets, to dying/poorly made RAM, CPU overheats, bad cache, etc..etc..

2. Too much software. Meaning, there is too much third party crap installed on a system, bogging it down, causing leaks, and not cooperating with other third party software. It is amazing at how stable Windows is when you only run things that come with Windows and nothing else! Usually means, realod the OS clean. Some OEMs, install so much CRAP into their "base load" of the OS, that you are screwed from the get-go.

In either scenario, barring something defective, yes, Windows 2000 will help. It is the most stable OS they have ever made. I can barely remember Win98, and I sure can't tell you the last time it crashed, or I had to reboot. I leave my system on for weeks without a reboot, and Win2k is great. Of course, WindowsNT4 wasnt bad either.

Now, you should first check ALL your third party hardware, printers, USB devices, etc.. first that they have drivers, etc... and then check all your games you "must play" and see if they are compatible.

I have yet to find anything that I wanted that did'nt work fine on Win2k.

Oh, and make sure you have a fast enough machine. I seem to like the 400mhz+, and 128 RAM+ as a minimum.

Posted: 6/26/2001 6:20:53 PM EDT

[#13]

Thanks, for the input. My computer, (MicroExpress)has done this from day one, which leads me to think it is probably a hardware problem. Other people have told me that it might be a motherboard issue. Oh well, it is still under warranty, but God only knows when I will get it back. Think I will try to update my drivers and/or do a fresh install. Nothing to lose. Thanks again.

Posted: 6/26/2001 7:57:44 PM EDT

[#14]

A lot of these problems are BLAMED on Microsoft, but are much more likely to be caused by poorly-written device drivers. If you install the OS fresh, using only Microsoft-approved drivers, you probably won't have that problem. As soon as you start installing manufacturer-written drivers, though, watch out. The fact is that PC products are shipped as soon as the hardware is finalized, regardless of the state of the software device drivers. The idea is that the drivers will be updated sometime down the road. In reality, this may or may not ever happen.

This is an unfortunate consequence of the speed of technology. PC-related hardware continues to change at a blistering rate, and prices fall amazingly fast. In that environment, stability takes a back seat.

-Troy