Common PC Error Messages- PC Troubleshooting Help Tips

1.Fatal exception error

Fatal exception errors are codes that are returned by a program in the following cases:
• Access to an illegal instruction has been encountered
• Invalid data or code has been accessed
• The privilege level of an operation is invalid
When any of these cases occurs, the processor returns an exception to the operating system,
which in turn is handled as a fatal exception error. In many cases the exception is non-recoverable
and the system must either be restarted or shut down, depending upon the severity of the error.

2.Illegal operation error

An application has experienced instability due to some type of error. This could also be caused by some other application interacting with the error producing program.

3.Registry/configuration error Choose Command prompt only and run scan reg.

To restore the registry Windows 98:
1. Click Start and then click Shut Down.
2. Click Restart in MS-DOS mode, and then click Yes.
3. At the Ms-Dos prompt type scanreg/restore

4.Not enough memory to render page

This error appears when a document you sent to the printer is too big for the printer’s buffer memory.

5.Data Error Reading/Writing Drive C (or other drive)

The error messages given indicate hard drive failure or serious data corruption
This error can be caused by:
Hard drive not setup properly in CMOS.
Hard drive not connected.
Bad hard drive.

6.This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor

Some type of software tried to communicate with the computer’s CPU, which didn’t understand the request or the request was an invalid action.

7.There is not enough free memory to run this program. Quit one or more programs, and then try again

You do not have enough memory (RAM) to run all the programs you want to open

8.There was an internal error, and one of the windows you were using will be closed. It is recommended that you save your work, close all programs, and then restart your computer

You most often see this when you open several windows from the same application, such as many open browser,
windows or several text documents running in separate windows. When one of the open windows experiences errors and crashes, this message pops up

9.Invalid system disk Replace the disk, and then press any key

That message means that your hard drive is no longer bootable. Likely causes are a defective drive, corrupted files, or a virus.

10. Not enough memory to render page

The printer driver may have determined the amount of printer memory incorrectly. This behavior can also occur if the printer does not have enough memory to render the page.

11. Stop 0x0000000A or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

This behavior can occur if there is incompatible hardware or an incompatible device driver on your computer.Try and restore your configuration using the Last Known Good Configuration option from Safe Mode. Remove any newly installed hardware.

12. Invalid Page Fault

An unexpected event has occurred in Windows.
A program has requested data that is not currently in virtual memory, and Windows attempts to retrieve the data from a storage device and load it into RAM.
An invalid page fault error message can occur when Windows cannot locate the data.
The virtual memory system has become unstable because of a shortage of RAM or hard drive space.
A program is attempting to access data that is being modified by another program that is running.

13.Windows Protection Error

This behavior can occur when a when your computer loads or unloads a virtual device driver (VxD)

14.Non-system disk or disk error. Replace and press any key when ready

You may see this message if your start device/disk (floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, or CD-ROM drive) does not contain boot files

15. Fatal error: An error has been encountered that prevents setup from continuing. One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.

You may see this message if your hard disk is damaged or corrupted. You receive the error messages because the Setup program is trying to repair the problem on your hard disk.

16.System has recovered from a serious error

This problem occurs because after a Minidump file is written, the paging file continues to have a flag set that indicates that a Minidump file must be written.

17.The system is low on virtual memory. Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory paging file

This issue may occur if there is not sufficient memory on the computer, and when the current virtual memory settings are not set high enough.

18.This application requires the Windows Installer to run

The Windows Installer is missing or damaged.

19.Internet Explorer. A runtime error has occurred. Do you wish to debug

Internet Explorer is displaying this message because it has encountered this error when trying to run some JavaScript on the page.
This message may appear when the Visual InterDev PageNavbar control tries to open a Web page whose name contains an apostrophe (').

20.The margins of section X are set outside the printable area of the page. Do you want to continue?

Your margins are set closer to the edge of the paper than your printer is capable of printing

Thanks for sharing. I always get an error whenever I'm using the computer, but you didn't mention any solution to the problem.

It is a real good information helpful for all Srikumar. Thanks a lot for sharing this info with everyone here.

Troubleshooting Tips for New Monitors
# The picture does not appear

* Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.
* Check to see if the computer system's power is ON.
* Check that the Brightness Control is at the appropriate position, not at the minimum.

# The Screen is not synchronized

* Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.
* Check that the output level matches the input level of your computer.
* Make sure the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

# The position of the screen is not in the center

* Adjust the H-Size, H-Phase or V-Size, V-Center controls.
* Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

# The screen is too bright or too dark

* Check if the Brightness or contrast control is at the appropriate position, not at the maximum or minimum.
* Check if the specified voltage is applied
* Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.
* Especially, check the horizontal frequency.

# The screen is shaking

* Move all objects that emit a magnetic field, such as a motor or transformer, away from the monitor.
* Check if the specified voltage is applied.
* Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

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My modem is a 56K, but I can connect to the Internet only at slower speed.
The current copper wired telephone lines are limited only to about 53K. If you are connected only to 33.6 or 28.8K, check the following first:

* Is your modem compatible with the modem used at your ISP?
* Is your modem set up to run at full speed?
* What's the maximum speed your ISP allows?
* How far away are you from your ISP?
* Some modems need special initiation strings to get full speed.
* Some conditions are out of your control, such as weather and conditions of the telephone lines in your community.
* Problems may occur when you are dialing through a phone system such as one in a hotel.

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Modem answers incoming calls and then returns to the on-hook condition, disconnecting the caller:

This occurs most often when connecting to a UNIX system. In most case, the host does not prefer to see any result or command echo codes. If this is the case, the codes can be disabled by adding E0 Q1 to the modem configuration string.

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The modem dials and appears to complete the connection, but the communications software does not enter the correct mode. (The screen remains blank)
This is normally caused by an I/O address or IRQ conflict. Verify that the COM port is not in use by any other serial device and if necessary use another COM port or I/O address settting. Refer to your computer manual on how to determine what serial ports are installed.

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The modem dials and appears to complete the connection, but the communications software does not enter the correct mode. (The screen remains blank)

* There may be an I/O conflict (see the solution for the previous problem).
* The Result Codes may have been disabled by the software configuration set up. Check if Q1 is in the configuration or initialization string. If so, change it to Q0.
* Your software may require numeric result codes rather than verbal result codes. Use either V0 for numeric result codes or V1 for verbal result codes in your initiazation or configuration string.
* Some software require full extended result codes (i.e., CONNECT 33600 instead of CONNECT). This can be controlled by the Xn command. X0 sends a summarized code (CONNECT) and X4 sends a full extended code (CONNECT 33600)

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The modem does not auto answer
The auto answer mode is determined by the S0 register. If S0 has been set to 0, the modem will not answer. Asign another value to S0 by entering the following command: S0=n, where n = the number of rings to occur before the call is answered (ATS0=2, the modem answers after two rings)

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The modem always answers the phone.
Set the S0 register to 0. ATS0=0.

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The communications software displays, "No Dialtone."
Make sure that your phone cable is working properly and that it is firmly seated to the phone socket at your phone jack and in the real panel of the modem.

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A high pitched squeal is emitted from the external speakers
This phenomenon is "feedback" and occurs when the microphone is pointed at the external speaker or is close enough to pick up the speaker output. This may be remedied by using a unidirectional microphone, making sure that it is pointed away and as far from the speaker as functionally possible. Another option is to use a headset with an attached microphone.

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Basic Troubleshooting Tips after Installing a New Hard Drive

Based on Seagate IDE hard drives.

If you have installed your drive and it does not function properly, perform the following basic checks:

Warning: Always turn off the computer before changing jumpers or unplugging cables and cards. Wear a ground strap or use other antistatic precautions while working on your computer or handling your drive.

* Verify compatibility. Verify that the host adapter and drive are appropriately matched to each other and to your computer. Refer to the relevant documentation for details.
* Check all cards. Verify that all cards are seated in their slots on the motherboard and secured with mounting screws.
* Check all connectors and cables. Make sure all ribbon and power cables are securely connected. Ribbon cables are easily damaged, especially at the connector. Try a new cable that you know is good. Make sure no connector pins are bent. Verify that pin 1 on the interface cable is aligned with pin 1 on the drive and host adapter (see Figure 2 on page 6).
* Verify jumper settings. Review the instructions in this guide and in your host adapter installation guide. Make sure all appropriate jumpers are installed or removed as necessary.
* Check your power-supply specifications. Each time you add a new device to your computer, make sure your cornputer's internal power supply can support the total power demand. If necessary, consult your dealer for a new power supply.
* Verify the drive-type settings in the system setup program. The drive-type settings in the system BIOS must not exceed the physical specifications of your drive. Also, the settings must not exceed the limitations set by the operating system and BIOS.
* Check for viruses. Before you use someone else's diskette in your system for the first time, scan the diskette for viruses.

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# After you install your new drive, your computer will not boot, and no error message appears on the screen.

Check your computer manual or BIOS manufacturer to determine whether your BIOS supports drives that have more than 4,092 cylinders. If your system has this limitation, use the following procedure to configure your computer:

1. Turn off your computer, open the case, and remove your new drive.

CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge damage to your computer or hard drive, make sure you are well grounded before touching the drive, cable, connector or jumpers.

2. Move the jumper on the alternate-capacity jumper, as shown in Figure 6. This causes the drive to appear to your BIOS as having a 2.1-Gbyte capacity (4,092 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors per track). You may need third-party partitioning software, such as Disk Manager, to achieve full capacity of the drive.
3. Remount your drive in the computer and replace the computer cover.
4. Insert a bootable system diskette into drive A and turn on the computer. It should boot from drive A and automatically detect the new drive as a 2.1 -Gbyte drive.
5. Insert your DiscWizard diskette into drive A and type A:XDM. Then press ENTER. This runs the Disk Manager program.
6. Follow the Disk Manager instructions to install the dynamic drive overlay and to partition and format your new drive to its full capacity.
7. After Disk Manager is done, reboot your system. You should see the Disk Manager banner and be able to access the full capacity of your new drive.

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The screen remains blank when you power up the system.
If the steps listed above do not remedy this problem, try the following:

* Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
* Check all cards.
* Make sure the video card is seated in its slot and secured with mounting screws.
* Turn off the computer and remove the drive host adapter. If the screen turns on after you reboot, the host adapter may be incompatible or defective. If so, see your dealer

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The system does not recognize the drive.
* Check all cables.
* Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
* Reboot the computer and listen to make sure the drive motor starts up. If the drive is very quiet, it may be difficult to hear its discs reach operating speed. If the drive motor does not start up, recheck all drive cables.
* Verify that for each drive, a drive-type is listed in the system setup program.
* Try rebooting your computer by pressing the CTRL, ALT and DELETE keys simultaneously. If the drive is recognized after you reboot the system, the computer BIOS test may be completing before the drive is ready.
One solution is to slow the processor speed during startup. If your computer has a turbo switch, set it to slow speed before turning the computer on. If there is no turbo switch, you may be able to use keyboard commands; see your computer manual for details. After the computer is up and running, return the processor to the fast speed.
Another solution is to warm-boot your computer after every power-on.
* Check for I/O address conflicts. To isolate the conflict, verify that the drive and host adapter are compatible with your computer. Turn off the computer and remove all the peripheral adapter cards except for the video card and host adapter. If the computer recognizes the drive when you reboot the computer, turn off the computer. Reinstall the other peripheral cards, one at a time, until the conflict reoccurs. After you have isolated the source of the address conflict, you can resolve the conflict by changing the 1/0 address of the peripheral that appears to cause the conflict.
* If Disk Manager has installed the DDO on your hard drive and you have booted directly from a diskette, the information in the boot record for the drive may not have been loaded. Make sure there is no diskette in drive A and reboot. If you want to boot from the diskette, follow the "Booting with a Diskette" instructions under "Advanced Disk Manager Options" on page 20.

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The dealer partitioned and formatted the drive for you in the store, but the drive does not respond when you install it.
* Reboot the computer and make sure the drive spins up.
* Check all cables.
* Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
* Make sure the DOS or Windows version the dealer used to partition and format the drive is the same version you have installed in your computer. If it isn't, see your dealer.
* Verify the drive-type values in the system setup program. You must install the drive using the same drive-type values your dealer used to partition the drive.
* Check for 1/0 address conflicts between peripheral cards.
* Check for viruses.

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The system hangs in FDISK or fails to create or save the partition record
* Check all cables.
* Your setup system diskette may be corrupted. Try using a backup diskette.
* Make the partitions smaller.
* Change the interrupt jumper setting on the host adapter.
* Some BIOS have a Track 0 protection feature that protects Track 0 from viruses. This may cause FDISK to hang the system. You must disable this feature in the system setup program before you can use FDISK. See your computer reference guide for assistance. Be sure to re-enable this important feature when FDISK is done.

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The system error message, "Drive not Ready," appears.
* Check all cable connections. Make sure pin 1 of the drive is connected to pin 1 of the hard-disc controller or host adapter.
* Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
* Reboot the computer and make sure the drive spins up.

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