What are Run Time Errors & Debugging?

cattie

I've just got a nice spanking new computer running XP Home & seem to be getting a lot of Run Time error messages, especially when on the Internet. I'm asked if I want to debug & if I press yes I just generally eventually get a page of what looks like computer speak. This just seems to sit on the screen for ages & when eventually I go to close the page a box comes up to ask do I want to stop debugging & I always click yes as I'm not really too sure what's going on.

If I click no to the box asking me if I want to debug, the run time error box often keeps just popping back.

I have no technical knowledge & haven't a clue what run time errors or debugging are. All I know is it's driving me crazy the boxes keep popping up! After months of problems with my previous pc & Windows ME, I was looking forward to a trouble free experience with my shiny new computer.

Hoping someone can advise in language I can understand. :-/

Joe_Bloggs

A run time error is when a program is seen to make a mistake by the operating system. Debug information can sometimes help the software developer locate the source of the problem. These problems can occur when running 'beta' versions of software.

Sometimes an overclocked processor that is too hot or memory with incorrect timing settings can result in these errors. These errors can build up as the heat in the system builds up so tests performed when cold will often pass. Programs exist to monitor the temperature of numerous system components and to stress test them to prove reliability.
J_B.



J_B(Occasional overclocker)

cattie

Thanks for info Joe, does this mean there is possibly a problem with the computer & that I should contact the support line of the company I bought the computer from?

To be honest I'm not sure it's running quite as it should be, as I feel it's not or responding or running as quickly as my old computer did. I expected this one to be blisteringly quick. It has an Athlon XP3000 processor, compared to Athlon 1ghz on my old computer. I've only had it a few days so am anxious to ensure all is as it should be. ???

If it's more a software problem causing the runtime errors, could this be down to the AOL software, as they are my ISP. ???

Joe_Bloggs

I am an Athlon/AMD enthusiast. If it costs you nothing then try out your technical support line. Can you find out what motherboard you have ? A link to the PC you bought would help but it is not essential.
J_B.

cattie

Not sure how to do links, but it's a Compaq S4500UK. It was sold by HP as remanufactured stock, but comes with full warranty & I believe their customer support to be very good. I'll try to give them a call tomorrow to see what they say concerning my doubts about it's efficiency.

Chippy_Minton

Are the errors occurring only when you visit certain web sites? And do you use Internet Explorer?

If so, they might be caused by errors in the scripts used by those sites, and which Internet Explorer has been configured to display. To turn off these errors:

Start Internet Explorer.
On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Browsing section:
Make sure 'Disable Script Debugging' is TICKED (click the box if not).
Make sure 'Display a notification about every script error' is NOT TICKED (click the box if not).
Click OK.

cattie

Thanks Chippy, followed the advice you gave & no more errors have popped up so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I've seen the last of them!

I spoke to someone at HP about my feelings the pc may not be responding as it should be & the advice was to defrag, (in spite of only having had the computer a few days, which surprised me) & they will call me back sometime tomorrow to see if it's made any difference. It does seem better, but that may be psychological! ::)