Do Not Be Bugged! Human Infallibility and Computer Bugs

You can't wish away troubles and pesky things from almost anything under the Sun. Take for example the computers with all that bugs, viruses and kernel panic albeit inevitability we need them. Computer bugs probably were born even before the first operating system was used by any one human being and has now led to a plethora of software bugs what with the recent spurt of recent internet. Hey! Don't forget the internet explorer bugs which joined them of late.

What Is Operating System Instability?

Microsoft has carefully taken the position as regards to this operating system instability that surprise removal of hardware causes operating systems to pop up error messages of instability. This was found in all the versions of Windows starting from Windows 3.0. When the operating system detects and fails to overcome some systemic error by itself, it cautions the user through error messages. When the operating system detects and fails to overcome some systemic error by itself, it cautions the user through error messages. These are similar to the service text messages or alert messages you might receive on your O2 instructing you with the potential defect prompting for further investigation.

However, the reasons are not limited to these above ones. Take for example the IBM's case. W22N51.SYS or syntp.sys can trigger the Stop Error Message or Windows (both 2000 and XP) stops responding with an error message on a blue screen. PC World, a respected industry magazine, recommends a set of solutions. If the problem arises because of failing memory, get your vendor to isolate the particular memory module.

IBM, suggests the following solutions to tackle system instability. Updating the Intel PRO 2200BG Mini PCI adapter wireless software for Windows 2000, XP to version 8.1.0.28 or later and UltraNav driver for Windows 2000/XP to Version 7.2.3.10 or later respectively. On the other hand, for problems arising out of Intel Trinitron Mother Boards, you have to set all PIO IDE settings to mode II.

Mainly there are two types of operating system errors namely blue screen of death and kernel panic.

Blue Screen of Death

Many of you who are using Windows environment must be familiar with this type of error message. Although it has been contained to a large extent in XP it used to be almost a frequent incase of earlier versions. It is known as blue screen of death because the display becomes a blue screen and the system is frozen or hung. It requires you to restart it invariably.

Kernel Panic

Error messages across different operating systems when they encounter and fail to execute invalid or not permitted memory addresses are kernel panics. When operating systems detect internal system errors they display cryptic debugging messages which may not be easily understandable by ordinary users. The usual reasons for this are accidental failures or misplacing of directory files by utilities like Disk Doctor and Speed Disk etc. Norton Anti-Virus is not known to have been the cause of kernel panic anywhere. So, basically it is triggered when the system's drivers either get corrupted or go missing.

Error messages across different operating systems when they encounter and fail to execute invalid or not permitted memory addresses are kernel panics. When operating systems detect internal system errors they display cryptic debugging messages which may not be easily understandable by ordinary users. The usual reasons for this are accidental failures or misplacing of directory files by utilities like Disk Doctor and Speed Disk etc. Norton Anti-Virus is not known to have been the cause of kernel panic anywhere. So, basically it is triggered when the system's drivers either get corrupted or go missing.

What Is Application Instability

Application instability, though not very frequent, is reported by users of all platforms. Common application instabilities are:

• Access violation - occurs when a process tries to access the memory area which is not permitted for it or is assigned to other application.
• No response form the system (commonly known as system hang)
• Automatic restart. Overheating of the system for reasons such as network gaming etc.

Some other reasons are multiple applets running within a browser and trying to vie for the single Java Virtual Machine.

If you thought this application instability is internal to specific platforms, here is the latest. Of late there have been complaints about applications working alright in a platform hanging the system when used on other. For example, a Java swing application, erroneous and triggering system hangs on Mac was found to be working perfectly on Linux as well as Windows.

Continue to : A Discussion on Unverified Antivirus Software Bugs