PC Troubleshooting Tips Why is My PC
Crashing?
Nothing can put a damper on productivity quite like a
computer that crashes on a regular basis. Sometimes, a crash is preceded by the
dreaded “blue screen of death” or another warning; other times, a computer
simply shuts off without any warning at all. In either case, the end result is
a whole lot of frustration, aggravation and lost work. If your computer has
been crashing frequently, you’d probably like to put an end to it.
Unfortunately, getting to the bottom of things if often easier said than done. The
following tips about improving your computer’s performance, though, are
excellent places to begin.
Possibility #1:
Corrupted System Registry Files
Every Windows-based PC has something called a Windows
registry. The registry contains several files that are integral to the
performance and operation of your computer. Over time, some of those files can
become corrupted, be misplaced or get lost altogether. When that happens, the
system registry becomes compromised – and frequent crashes are all-too-common symptoms.
The best way to rule this possibility in or out is by running a Windows
registry cleaning program. Such programs scan your Windows registry for
problems then automatically make repairs. If you run a registry cleaner and the
crashes persist, they are probably being caused by a different issue.
Possibility #2:
Disorganized Files
Windows operating systems handle file organization in a way
that isn’t very intuitive. Basically, they break files up and fit them into
gaps in the computer’s memory. As time goes by, these disorganized files can
prompt frequent crashes. Luckily, a great optimization solution is built right
into Windows-based PCs: the disk defragmentation utility. Although its location
on a computer varies, you can generally locate it within the System and
Security section inside the Control Panel. By running a defrag once every few
months, you may be able to keep those pesky computer crashes at bay.
Possibility #3:
Malicious Software
Malicious software can take many different forms. Sometimes,
it’s a virus that is accidentally unleashed after opening a strange email;
other times, its adware that tags along with other information that is
automatically downloaded from a website. Whatever type it is, there’s no
question that malicious software can wreak havoc on a computer’s performance.
Happily, there are many topnotch programs out there that regularly scan your
computer for the presence of such problems – and that help guard against them,
too. Buy one, install it and use it regularly; your crash issues may come to an
end.
Possibility #4: Too
Little Available Memory
When you buy a new computer, it feels like there’s no end to
the amount of memory that it has. Of course, this isn’t true at all. As
never-ending as the available memory on your PC may initially seem, the fact is
that it can be depleted with incredible speed. You can find out for sure by
checking the information within “My Computer.” If it appears that your
available memory is low, you can use a PC cleanup program to remove unnecessary
files; such programs remove things like temporary Internet files and other file
debris that can suck away much-needed memory.
Possibility #5:
Overheating
If you’ve run through all of the preceding possibilities and
continue experiencing frequent crashes, a hardware issue could be to blame. An
easy one to rule out is overheating. A computer’s CPU, or central processing
unit, includes a fan that is designed to keep it running cool. Sometimes, the
fan wears down and doesn’t work as efficiently; other times, it’s just not able
to handle the work that your computer has to do. In either case, buying a
bigger, better fan isn’t very expensive. If it puts an end to your PC crashing
problem, it will have been more than worth it.
Don’t Put Up with
Frequent Crashes!
As discussed, frequent computer crashes can be triggered by
a wide variety of issues. Luckily, many of these issues are relatively easy to
remedy. Work your way through the preceding list; chances are, you’ll be able
to pinpoint the problem and put an effective cure to work. Nine times out of
ten, a computer simply needs a little bit of routine maintenance to get it back
on track again. In the future, keep these points in mind. Any time you buy a
new computer, keep up with its basic maintenance right from the get-go. By
doing that, you could avoid “blue screen of death” and crashing problems
altogether – and that’s something that you’re bound to appreciate!
