10 reasons why PCs crash, that You MUST Know

10 Reasons Why PCs Crash (You Must Know)

“Fatal error: the system has become unstable or is busy…”
You’ve just been hit with the Blue Screen of Death. Anyone who’s used Windows knows the feeling.
What causes it—and how do you prevent it?

Below are the 10 most common reasons, formatted cleanly for MyBB:

1. Hardware Conflict
Windows crashes often come from devices fighting over the same IRQ (interrupt request).
To check for conflicts:

• []Start → Settings → Control Panel → System → Device Manager
  []Look for yellow “!” icons
  
• Highlight “Computer” → Properties → check IRQ list
  

If two devices share the same IRQ, remove/reinstall the problem device or move the card to a different slot.
Update drivers when possible.

2. Bad RAM
Faulty or mismatched RAM causes Fatal Exception Errors.
Fixes may include:

• []Rearranging RAM sticks
  []Removing questionable modules
  []Matching memory speeds (e.g., don’t mix 70ns with 60ns)
  []Adjusting RAM wait states in BIOS
  

Avoid mixing ECC and non-ECC RAM.

3. Incorrect BIOS Settings
Incorrect chipset or RAM timing (e.g., CAS latency) can destabilize your system.
Before changing anything in the BIOS, write down original values.
Enable “Plug and Play OS = Yes” to let Windows assign IRQs automatically.

4. Hard Disk Problems
Fragmentation, low storage, or HDD errors can freeze your system.

Recommended maintenance:

• []Run Disk Defragmenter
  []Free space in Temporary Internet Files
  []Empty Recycle Bin
  []Run ScanDisk weekly
  

5. Fatal OE & VXD Errors (Video Problems)
Video card conflicts or bad drivers commonly cause these errors.

Try:

• []Lowering screen resolution
  []Lowering color depth
  []Reducing Hardware Acceleration
  []Installing updated video drivers
  
• Checking Device Manager for conflicts
  

6. Viruses
Instability, missing boot sectors, or odd crashes may signal a virus.
Keep antivirus DAT files updated weekly.
Examples: McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus.

7. Printer Issues
Printers have small memory buffers that overflow easily.
If the printer freezes or behaves oddly:

• []Unplug it for 10 seconds
  []Cold boot the printer
  

8. Faulty or Badly-Installed Software
Poor installations or leftover registry entries can crash Windows.

Fixes:

• []Uninstall/reinstall software
  []Use tools like Norton Uninstall or RegCleaner
  
• Boot into Safe Mode if Windows won’t load normally (press F4 during startup)
  

9. Overheating
CPUs that overheat (especially overclocked ones) may trigger kernel errors.
Solutions include:

• []Replace the CPU fan
  []Install larger cooling solutions
  
• Disable CPU internal cache (temporary stability fix)
  

10. Power Supply Problems
Spikes, surges, or outages can crash your PC instantly.
A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) gives clean power and time for safe shutdown.

Final Tip
Regular maintenance—clean drivers, stable BIOS settings, healthy RAM, and good cooling—prevents the vast majority of system crashes.