Q. What are common Windows Error Codes?

A. Windows can be chock full of error codes and it can be difficult to decipher them all. However, there are a few common ones that most of us will run into at one time or another. We’ll address these four common errors here in a minute, but before you worry about an error code, it’s a good idea to simply close out the programs you are working on and restart your computer. At times, an error message may only be a little glitch and it’s easier to check first to see if you’re really dealing with a serious issue or it’s only a one-time occurrence. However, if you are getting frequent error messages, this is a sign that there is something wrong with your computer.

Q. What causes these problems?

A. The four most common error codes you’ll get are dll, stop, runtime or Win32 errors. They can be caused by a variety of different problems on your computer. At times, they may simply be the result of a computer or program error and they are not too serious. At other times, they may be the result of a spyware program that has taken over parts of your hard drive, or the software you are using may have become corrupted.

Q. How do I fix it?

A. First, let’s look at stop errors. This type of error will usually have the word Stop and then a series of different numbers. If you have this error message, here’s what you need to do: download the latest service pack for your operating system from Windows. You can find this at Microsoft’s website. Install the new pack and restart your computer. That should solve the issue.

Dll errors commonly occur when a driver malfunctions. Pay attention to the type of software or hardware that you are using when this happens. Download a new copy of the driver and install it on your computer. This will overwrite the old, corrupted copy and the problem should be fixed.

Win32 errors are usually the result of a virus. To fix this, shut down your computer and then restart it in safe mode. This is done to protect your files and your computer while you attempt to remove the virus. Start up your virus software and then have it quarantine or fix any problems that it finds. Restart your computer in normal mode and the problem should be fixed.

Lastly, runtime errors are usually related to Java technology. Keep in mind that if you do have this error occur while you are visiting a website, it’s most likely not your computer that has the problem. It’s a good idea to close your browser, reopen it and then go to a different site. You can also download the latest update for Java from the Sun Microsystems page if you are continually experiencing this issue.

In order to protect your computer from these errors, it’s a good idea to always use an antivirus program and to back up your computer on a regular basis.

Q. What is a Win32 error?

A. If you are getting this very common error, it is a sign that you may have spyware or a virus on your computer. It’s a pretty serious error so it is a good idea to get it fixed right away. Luckily, most antivirus software programs are well equipped to handle the virus that causes these errors so you shouldn’t have much trouble getting your system back to normal. In some cases, malfunctioning hardware may also be to blame.

Q. What causes Win32 errors?

A. As mentioned above, in rare cases, this can be the result of a hardware component that is either corrupted or simply malfunctioning. However, the most common reason is spyware and viruses. It’s always best to assume that this is the case before you attempt to remove any hardware or replace it. Start with the assumption you’re dealing with a virus and if the problem keeps happening after you’ve scanned for a virus, then move on to dealing with your hardware.

Q. How do I fix a Win32 error?

A. First, you will need to load your anti-virus software. If you don’t already have a copy, you’ll need to download one or you can even use the free online scans that are available from TrendMicro or Kapersky. Run the scan and see if any viruses are present on your computer. You can then check to see whether you want them to simply delete the files or quarantine them. It may be safer for your computer to quarantine them, especially if you have not backed up your system lately or created a restore point. Make sure your software has been updated with the latest virus definitions before you start.

If this doesn’t work, you can assume it is a hardware problem. Open up your device manager. If you see any yellow exclamation points next to a device, that’s a sign that something is going wrong with that device. Try uninstalling it using the utilities provided in this window and restart your computer. If everything is fine with the hardware, it will recognize it and reinstall it for you.

In some cases however, the hardware itself may be malfunctioning. First, reinstall the drivers for that hardware. If this does not help, you will need to get the hardware replaced. You can do this on your own if you are capable, or you can take your computer in to a shop to have it done for you.

Q. How do I stop this from happening again?

A. First and foremost, always use antivirus and anti spyware software on your computer. It’s simply too easy to get infected any more and the only way to completely protect yourself is by having this software installed and updated with the latest virus definitions.

You can also try upgrading any of your old hardware that you are worried about. It’s also a good idea to download drivers for all of your devices and store them on a USB drive in case you need them in an emergency.

Q. What are some of the most common problems with Internet Explorer?

A. Internet Explorer has a reputation of being a bit “buggy” that is to say that it has a tendency to produce quite a few errors or problems. The most common ones are Kernel32, secure sites that won’t display, having your homepage replaced with a new one or having your favorites disappear.

Q. What commonly causes these issues?

A. The biggest problem for Internet Explorer users is spyware. This corrupts the browser and makes changes to it without your knowledge. Other issues can be caused due to an outdated copy of IE or a failure to download a recent patch to fix a problem. In some cases, the error is simply fleeting and not really anything to worry about.

Q. How do I fix these problems?

A. First, let’s deal with Kernel32 errors. Close down the browser and then reopen it. If it occurs again, you may need to download either a security patch or you may need to update the software entirely. If you are still running IE 6 it’s a good idea to upgrade it to IE 7, the latest version. You can download this for free at Microsoft’s website, and you can also get patches there as well.

The other problems are usually related to spyware that has taken over your computer. If your home page has been replaced with a new one, try changing it back and then restart your browser. If it happens again, you’ll need to run a spyware and virus scan. The same is true with your favorites.

If you don’t have a spyware removal program on your computer, there are many free applications that are quite powerful. You can get spyware free applications at download.com and they also have reviews of spyware removal applications to help you pick the best one. Install this software and run a scan. Have it fix or quarantine any problems and then restart your computer. Then, restart your browser. The issue should now be fixed.

It’s really not recommended to uninstall IE on your computer, but you can overwrite it with a new version. Uninstalling the software may cause problems with other programs since the browser is so integrated into the Windows operating system.

Q. How do I avoid having this happen in the future?

A. Always make sure that you are using the latest version of IE and download any security patches that Microsoft releases. It’s a good idea to take advantage of the automatic update feature in IE so that you don’t miss any patches or updates that need to be installed.

It’s also vital to use an antivirus and spyware blocker. These programs can really help keep your computer free of nasty viruses that wreak havoc on your system. In addition, it’s always a good idea to make a back up copy of your favorites so that if you do lose them, you can simply put them back in after you run a virus scan.

Q. What is an EXE file?

A. Whenever you download an application for Windows, it will commonly have an extension of exe. This refers to the fact that the program is capable of self executing itself. In other words, when you double click on the icon, the program launches itself. This is great when you are installing software that you want and not so great when you are dealing with spyware. The exe file is the most common file type that you will run into when you are using Windows.

Q. What are some common problems that happen with exe files?

A. The most common problem by far is the exe file that is corrupt and incapable of launching. When you double click the icon, it may try to start but you end up with an error message and it won’t load or install.

Q. How do I fix this problem?

A. First, let’s deal with software you actually do want to use. If you have downloaded an exe file and it won’t open, your first step should be to delete this file and then re-download it again. If it still will not work, this means that the file itself is corrupt and there really isn’t much you can do. You can try downloading it from another site, but if the problem remains, all you really can do is let the software manufacturer know about the problem and wait for them to fix it.

If you have already used the software in the past and are suddenly getting an exe error, this may mean that the software has a glitch or has become corrupted. Try starting it again and if that won’t work, uninstall it and replace it with a new version of the same program. That should solve the issue.

Now, let’s move on to handling spyware. This exe error will usually occur after you double clicked the software icon and it installed itself. Your computer is now infected with spyware. The best way to handle this is to download a spyware removal tool and run it. Have it quarantine the infected files and then restart your computer. If it is particularly insidious software though you may need to reformat your hard drive. This means that you will lose all of your data, so proceed with caution.

Q. How do I keep this from happening again?

A. In the case of a corrupted file, there really isn’t much that you can do. Try to download software from only trusted sites such as Download.com where they check the files to make sure that they work. This can cut down on a lot of frustration.

For spyware exe issues, never download a file from a site you cannot trust. You may also get these exe files in email. Unless you are expecting the file, never save it to your computer and do not open it. Delete the message right away from your computer to avoid getting infected.

Q. What are the most common problems with Outlook Express?

A. Users of Outlook Express are probably quite used to various error messages that occur from time to time. These can make little sense, but are actually quite common. One of the most frequently seen error message looks like this:

Outlook Express could not be started because Msoe.dll could not be initialized

There are a few others, but they are pretty much variations on a theme.

Q. Why do these errors commonly occur?

A. At times, there may simply be a glitch that causes OE to malfunction temporarily. In other cases, the software may be corrupted. This is common after a bad shutdown or if your computer crashes while OE is open. However, there are a few easy fixes that you can try.

Q. How do I fix this problem?

A. First, close OE and then shut down your computer. Do not use the Restart function, but do a complete shut down. Let it sit for a few minutes and turn it back on. Restart OE. If the problem occurs again, you may have a corrupted file. If not, it was merely a fleeting error and nothing to be worried about.

If the problem does keep occurring, here’s what you can do. First, close OE and then reopen it and select work offline. You don’t want any new mail messages coming in during this process. Go to File/Folders/Compact and run the compacting tool. This will usually solve minor problems and allow OE to rebuild it’s file structure. Once again, close OE and restart it.

Now, if the problem keeps occurring, chances are that your main DBX file is corrupt. Save any important email addresses and close OE. Now, go to your hard drive/program files/outlook express/Store folder. Look for all the DBX files in this folder. Create a new folder and put all of these files into it. Now, reopen OE and let it rebuild its own structure. It may take a few minutes to complete.

Although this fix is very effective, it will remove your old mail in most cases. However, it is usually the best way to get OE back on track.

Q. How do I keep from having this happen again?

A. Although you really can’t make OE behave beautifully you can take steps to minimize the damage it causes if you do get an error. Go back to where you found your DBX files and save all of them to a USB drive. Now, if the error occurs again, you will be able to simply use these files to overwrite the ones that are corrupt. Try to backup these files once a week or more often if you have a heavy volume of email. That way you can reduce the amount of mail that you lose if a crash occurs. Always remember to shut down OE properly by using the File/Close feature. Never leave OE open when you shut down your computer, since this is the number one cause for DBX file failures.

Q. What are driver errors?

A. In order for your devices and your software on your computer to function, they require files that are known as drivers. These drivers help route commands and are responsible for having the device or software work properly. At times however, these drivers may become corrupted and cease functioning properly. This results in a driver error.

Q. What are the most common driver errors?

A. By far, the most prevalent issue with drivers is spyware. These malicious files often corrupt drivers and make them unusable. In some cases, this is the number one way to tell if your system has been infected with spyware. In extreme cases, the entire computer may become unusable thanks to these driver errors.

The second most common error is a printer driver error. These can happen pretty frequently and there are two main causes. First, a simple malfunction that occurs once or every so often, and second, a completely corrupted driver file.

Q. How do I fix driver errors?

A. Let’s deal with spyware problems first. If you have noticed a dramatic increase in driver errors, assume that you have been infected with spyware. Download a spyware removal tool and run a complete scan. It may take awhile depending on how many files you have on your system. Quarantine and fix any files that are infected and restart your computer. At this point, you will most likely need to download new driver files and then replace the corrupted ones. This should solve the issue.

For a printer driver error, first turn off the device and turn it back on. Try to print again. If the error occurs once more, you may need to replace the printer’s driver. You can usually find a new copy at the printer manufacturer’s website. Download the appropriate driver for your system and then install it. This should remove the problem.

If it persists, you may need to completely uninstall your printer and then reinstall it. Open your device manager and uninstall your printer there. Unplug it and restart your computer. Now, turn your computer off, attach the printer again and restart. Your computer will recognize the new hardware and begin installing it. Once this is done the error should be fixed.

Q. How do I stop this from happening in the future?

A. It’s always a good idea to keep a copy of your device driver files in a safe place, such as a USB drive. That way when an error occurs, you’ll have a copy of the driver that is having problems all ready to go. Simply use your back up to overwrite the existing driver file.

It is also a very good idea to use a spyware detector that will alert you if your computer has been infected with spyware. The quicker you remove the problem, the less damage it will be able to cause. Try to periodically scan your computer for spyware and viruses every week and always make sure that your virus definitions are up to date.

Q. What is a PC crash?

A. A PC crash is usually slang for what happens when your computer just stops working. It may hang up while you’re trying to do something, or your computer may just suddenly stop for no apparent reason. They are actually quite common and can be caused by a variety of different issues.

Q. What causes a PC crash?

A. There are four main reasons that your PC will crash, and they include a power failure, virus, software malfunction or even overheating. It can be hard to tell what the cause is at times and in some cases, you may never actually know unless the problem keeps occurring.

Q. How do I fix this?

A. First, let’s deal with crashes caused by viruses. These commonly occur because a virus has corrupted necessary files or has affected your computer to the point where it becomes nearly impossible to keep using it. Try running a virus scan while your computer is in safe mode to see if there are any present on your system. Make sure that your virus definitions are up to date before you do this. If you find anything, quarantine the files and restart your computer.

In the case of power failures, it’s always a good idea to use a power strip and if necessary a BackUPS system. From time to time though, if you suddenly lose power, a crash can occur and there really isn’t much you can do about it if you aren’t using a secondary power source as a back up.

If your computer has software that is malfunctioning, you can try restarting your computer and then run the program again. If the error occurs, then you may need to uninstall and reinstall the application. If it doesn’t than it may have just been a glitch that occurred for no apparent reason.

Overheating is very serious for a computer and is quite common. The inside of your computer is actually quite hot and there are times when the built in fan simply cannot keep things cool enough. If you are operating your computer in a hot room, the risk is even higher for it to overheat.

Always put an exterior fan near your computer to keep the air around it cooler, especially during summer. This can really help your computer avoid overheating. If the problem has already occurred though, you will need to unplug the computer and then press the power button to discharge any remaining electricity. Open it up and see if anything has melted within or appears damaged. You may need to replace the components or take the computer to a shop to have this done for you.

Q. How do I keep this from happening again?

A. Always use antivirus software on your computer to protect it from outside influences. It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that your computer needs to be kept as cool as possible. If you are using a laptop, you may want to consider purchasing a special USB cooling pad to help it stay cool.