My first bluescreen:).

[Exavier]

Thought we fixed the issue... or did you break something else?

 

[The Condor]

Thought we fixed the issue... or did you break something else?

We did. I just wanted to get back on track and see if anyone else has a guess or suggestion to keep it from happening in the future.

 

[oldStatesman]

Then that (no offense calyth) sounds stupid. Also, I have two two year old ragdoll cats that are quite inquisitive and I would hate to see them lose part of their nose or a nail to the fan so I think I am going to stick (so far) with Sorceresss' tips.

The fans are totally enclosed...and it is a really good idea to use one for a laptop...they can be bought at Computer shows or online for under $50...and will dramatically increase the life of any laptop...all tend to run hot because of their compact size...and heat degrades electronic components...

If you don't like the fan idea, you can buy laptop stands that are passive coolers in the fact they hold your laptop up in the air, allowing better air circulation.

Either choice is a good one, and both are 'cat friendly'

BTW, next time you get a blue screen write down the info on it...especially the error name and stop code...the code will be in this format...0x000000XX ... the last two numbers can help to trouble shoot it...also write down what module it occured in and it's address if it is given...and post them online...they can be used to give a good idea where the issue lies and what can be done to prevent it.

 

[oldStatesman]

I didn't say the BSOD was a big deal. I just wanted to make sure it would not hurt my computer because my father is a semi-retired defense attorney and has some incredibly important files on my computer that I would not like to see hurt so I posted on this site since I know someone here has to know what to do to fix the problem I described.

BSOD's can be a big deal...they can lead to total loss of data ...don't take a BSOD lightly...even one can hose your pc....always have a backup available if the data is critical...burn the critical data to a cd or something...you may want to re-consider using such a machine for gaming....but that is your choice.

 

[The Condor]

The fans are totally enclosed...and it is a really good idea to use one for a laptop...they can be bought at Computer shows or online for under $50...and will dramatically increase the life of any laptop...all tend to run hot because of their compact size...and heat degrades electronic components...

If you don't like the fan idea, you can buy laptop stands that are passive coolers in the fact they hold your laptop up in the air, allowing better air circulation.

Either choice is a good one, and both are 'cat friendly'

BTW, next time you get a blue screen write down the info on it...especially the error name and stop code...the code will be in this format...0x000000XX ... the last two numbers can help to trouble shoot it...also write down what module it occured in and it's address if it is given...and post them online...they can be used to give a good idea where the issue lies and what can be done to prevent it.

Oh, then I guess that sounds really cool. Thanks. The battery part really intrigued me because for some odd reason the battery life of my laptop is only like 1 hour and a half. At least it performs as well as a normal computer though. Unfortunately, I could not write down the error code because: 1: It was my first one so I was not preparing for it so instead of writing down the number I had a heart-attack. 2. I would of hit print scan but I was afraid I would screw my computer up even more. 3. I only caught attention of it when my computer made a chirping noise so I wouldn't have had enough time anyway (I was watching tv). Also thanks for thinking but money is no option so I can get an expensive one but the "cat friendly" remark also intrigued me so all in all thanks.

 

[The Condor]

BSOD's can be a big deal...they can lead to total loss of data ...don't take a BSOD lightly...even one can hose your pc....always have a backup available if the data is critical...burn the critical data to a cd or something...you may want to re-consider using such a machine for gaming....but that is your choice.

I forgot to explain but my dad does have all of his important info he keeps on my computer backed up on some disks he keeps in a safe which is what he also does on another laptop we own (but currently has some viruses which is why he put it on my computer in the first place) and all of it once more in our old computer but it is kind of getting old and it has some issues so why the information is so critical is that my computer is the only way he has immediate access to it in case of an emergency since the disks are in a safe in a bank somewhere far away and the other computers are old and decrepit or buggy so that is why I started a thread on what to do when you get a bluescreen like that and how to prevent (if any) effects of it. Also, unfortunately we keep our family photos which aren't backed up on any disks on this computer which also I want to make sure stays. Lastly, I was just saying it was no big deal because Vbraun had the desire to overexaggerate my state on my problem which kinda ticked me off.

 

[oldStatesman]

I forgot to explain but my dad does have all of his important info he keeps on my computer backed up on some disks he keeps in a safe which is what he also does on another laptop we own (but currently has some viruses which is why he put it on my computer in the first place) and all of it once more in our old computer but it is kind of getting old and it has some issues so why the information is so critical is that my computer is the only way he has immediate access to it in case of an emergency since the disks are in a safe in a bank somewhere far away and the other computers are old and decrepit or buggy so that is why I started a thread on what to do when you get a bluescreen like that and how to prevent (if any) effects of it. Also, unfortunately we keep our family photos which aren't backed up on any disks on this computer which also I want to make sure stays. Lastly, I was just saying it was no big deal because Vbraun had the desire to overexaggerate my state on my problem which kinda ticked me off.

No problem...good to hear your files are backed up...I just wanted to point out that a BSOD can be a real problem since you had said you are not too computer savvy....(and for others lke that who may be reading)...not usually, but it has the potential...(actually it is not the BSOD, but the failure that casued the BSOD that can be destructive... )

Sorry if I seem a little preachy on this...but I suffered a BSOD chain of events after a Civ4 Crash this week that did hose my system drive...I had to do a re-install from ASR backup...luckily I keep my data on different partitions so no data loss..only the loss of time involved in re-loading XP and the apps...Civ didn't hose the files, but when it crashed my machine the file system got corrupted...and this caused my system files to get corrupted...not just one or two but the whole system32 path... ouch.

 

[calyth]

Condor: Well that's why I said hopefully with my suggestion. Exavier is right with the description of what I'm talking about. It's a tray with fans that draws power from the USB. And hopefully the airflow of the tray should match the airflow of the bottom intakes. My old Sony has bottom intakes, so the cooling tray should blow more air into it.
Plenty of laptops have heating problems. I know that some Dells and some eMachine laptops have said problems, and one of them choose to get those cooling fans.
It's up to you really to judge whether they're ridiculous, or worth the money, but I don't have any good solution other than to tell you to get a different computer if you don't want overheat crashes.

 

[The Condor]

No problem...good to hear your files are backed up...I just wanted to point out that a BSOD can be a real problem since you had said you are not too computer savvy....(and for others lke that who may be reading)...not usually, but it has the potential...(actually it is not the BSOD, but the failure that casued the BSOD that can be destructive... )

Sorry if I seem a little preachy on this...but I suffered a BSOD chain of events after a Civ4 Crash this week that did hose my system drive...I had to do a re-install from ASR backup...luckily I keep my data on different partitions so no data loss..only the loss of time involved in re-loading XP and the apps...Civ didn't hose the files, but when it crashed my machine the file system got corrupted...and this caused my system files to get corrupted...not just one or two but the whole system32 path... ouch.

Sadly, I have no data backed up . It is all my dad's. He believes his documents are more important than my games which I completely agree with him over except that some of those games are really important to me and it would suck to lose them and also I have no clue how to burn anything except music on iTunes for my little sister. Also, you are not sounding preachy. I am perfectly fine with it.

 

[The Condor]

Condor: Well that's why I said hopefully with my suggestion. Exavier is right with the description of what I'm talking about. It's a tray with fans that draws power from the USB. And hopefully the airflow of the tray should match the airflow of the bottom intakes. My old Sony has bottom intakes, so the cooling tray should blow more air into it.
Plenty of laptops have heating problems. I know that some Dells and some eMachine laptops have said problems, and one of them choose to get those cooling fans.
It's up to you really to judge whether they're ridiculous, or worth the money, but I don't have any good solution other than to tell you to get a different computer if you don't want overheat crashes.

You are probably right and I now regret calling them ridiculous. It was just I had no clue what they were (actually thought you would dump it in dry ice or something) so I used an assumption which turned out to be wrong. Sorry if I offended you.

Edit: Stupid spelling error.

 

[Exavier]

Sadly, I have no data backed up . It is all my dad's. He believes his documents are more important than my games which I completely agree with him over except that some of those games are really important to me and it would suck to lose them and also I have no clue how to burn anything except music on iTunes for my little sister. Also, you are not sounding preachy. I am perfectly fine with it.

Burning is actually quite easy... I back up things regularly... mainly because I have about 20GB of data that if I loose it would cripple me (I would probobly jump off the nearest cliff). Some of the files on those backups are a good 10 years old (and considering I am 22 those are some old files for me).

Just get yourself a burning program. While you could proboboly find freeware but I recommend getting a copy of Nero... Its one of my favorite and it defaults as a wizard mode so basicly you just follow the steps to make CDs or DVDs

 

[The Condor]

Wow. This thread lasted till the morning? Cool. Where would I find this Nero you speak of. Is it like something you download or do you buy it in a store?

 

[The Condor]

Bump, Bump, Bump it up. Is there anything else besides Nero? Also, does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Exavier]

Wow. This thread lasted till the morning? Cool. Where would I find this Nero you speak of. Is it like something you download or do you buy it in a store?

www.nero.com
You can buy it and download it from them or you can go to a store and buy it...

I know there are many programs out there but i haven't used anything other then nero in a long time so i couldn't tell you if any work better.

 

[The Condor]

Cool, that sounds worthwhile. I might try all of these things when we move to a better internet. Since it seems many of you have provided very good strategies on how to deal with bluescreens would anyone like to share any memorable or terrifying BSODs they have had in the past?