Stop error screen facts for kids
A Stop error screen is what your computer or device shows when something goes very wrong. It means the device has found a problem it cannot fix on its own. Because of this, the device has to stop working.
These screens are often called "screens of death." This is because the device cannot get better from the error. The computer's main program, called the operating system, has to shut down.
These error screens often have different colors. For example, a Windows computer might show a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). An Xbox might show a green screen of death when it has problems.
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What Causes Stop Errors?
Stop error screens usually happen because of problems with device drivers. These are special programs that help your computer talk to its hardware. They can also be caused by issues with the computer's parts. This includes bad RAM or power supplies.
Sometimes, a computer can get too hot inside. This can also lead to a stop error. Another cause is when hardware is made to run faster than it should. This is called overclocking.
When a stop error happens, the computer might save some data. This is called a "core dump." This saved data can help experts figure out what went wrong later.
History of Stop Error Screens
Stop error screens have been around for a long time. They have appeared in all Windows operating systems since Windows 3.1.
Early Windows (1.0 and 2.0)
The very first Blue Screens of Death appeared in Windows 1.0 and Windows 2.0. These screens showed random jumbled data. They were blue, which is how they got their name.
Windows 3.x, 95, 98, and ME
The first BSoD that looked like a clear error message was in Windows 3.1. Similar blue screens showed up in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME. These screens showed an error message on a completely blue background.
These errors could happen when the computer started up. They also appeared if there was a problem with a hardware driver file.
A famous BSoD happened when Bill Gates was showing Windows 98. His assistant, Chris Capossela, plugged in a scanner. This was to show that Windows 98 could use Plug and Play. But the computer crashed and showed a BSoD! Bill Gates famously said, "That must be... er... that must be why we're not shipping Windows 98 yet!"
Windows NT Family (2000, XP, Vista, 7)
Starting with Windows 2000, the BSoD stayed blue. But it began to show more technical details. It also gave users a few steps to try and fix the problem. The same kind of screen was used in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
Windows 8 and 8.1
Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 used a lighter blue color for the BSoD. The message became much easier to read. They even added a sad face emoticon! The technical details were replaced with a simple line of text. This line showed the name of the error. Users could then look up this error name on the Internet.
Other Related Pages
Images for kids
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Windows CE 5.0
See also
In Spanish: Pantalla azul de la muerte para niños
