Help with blue screen when starting computer

madrhino

Hello

I'm asking for a bit of advice from the computer savvy people on this board.

Just now, when I started up my desktop PC it took me through to a blue screen that was saying something about installation and the text at the bottom was say something about a crash dump and numbers were counting up, and then my PC switched off. Sorry for being a bit vague about this but the screen was only up for a few seconds and I didn't know which information was important on the screen.

I then re started my computer and it took me to the black screen with options on how to start windows. I started it normally.

Then after Windows had started I got a box that said Windows had recovered from an unexpected shutdown, and the option to search for solution online. I cancelled as I don't know what to look for.

This also happened about a week ago but the blue screen was up for a shorter amount of time then.

I just want advice on what to do. Install programmes, clean computer etc. as I don't know what it means but from previous experience I know that problems like that can get a lot worse, so I want to try and sort it before my PC dies.

I have an Acer PC, Windows Vista, PC is 2 years old.

Thanks in advance

DCFC79

When the screen went blue was there some numbers along the bottom,

aw78

You have the BSOD, blue screen of death.

possible hardware problem here however, after turning your pc on keep tapping "F8", you will get a hidden menu, on that menu is "last known good config" .Select that, fingers crossed

closed

backup with disk imaging software while it's still working

madrhino

DCFC79 wrote: »

When the screen went blue was there some numbers along the bottom,

I think there were numbers.

madrhino

I will back up. Why does it only happen very occasionally? It didn't happen just now when I switched it on.

I will try the last known configuration.

Where can I get disk imaging software? Can I get it online? and any recommendations?

closed

It depends what model of hard disk you have internally or externally (usb drive), which can usually be found in device manager.

This should work on anything

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

If you have either seagate/maxtor (maxblast) or western digital drives (acronis trueimage WD edition), they have free software on their website.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=MaxBlast_5&vgnextoid=7add8b9c4a8ff010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119&type=download&wdc_lang=en