Error Messages

Note:  One of the best strategies to use when trying to eliminate recurring error messages is to keep a thorough log of the exact error message, when it occurs and what was happening at the time. Keep a log of when these errors occur and what the "details" of the failure are. This will greatly aid Network Support staff assigned to the issue in the event you are not able to resolve the issue on your own.

Illegal Operations

This general error message is given for a number of different reasons; the most likely of which being a problem with the way a program used memory. By using the "details" button located on the lower right corner of the error dialog box you can find details of what caused the error. You will see something to the effect of "explorer caused an invalid page fault in module ...". In many cases the problem can be resolved by reinstalling the application listed.

"General Protection Fault" "Illegal Operation" "Invalid Page Fault"

Extreme error messages, such as those listed above, can be very difficult to troubleshoot. These messages can be caused by a wide variety of variables. Sometimes these messages are caused by different programs or even different versions of the same program "bumping heads". Many programs share components with one another. If a vendor makes a component that does not work well with one of the other programs that may use this component, the program is likely to crash.

Caution:  In almost every case, unsaved data within a program performing an "illegal operation" will be lost.  Frequent saves on pc's known to have these problems is a must.

Operating System Lockup

Some errors are not quite as allowing for a recovery as illegal operations.   When a program goes as far as to 'crash' the operating system, many times only restarting the computer will recover the issue. These operating system freezes can be the result of hardware issues (drivers), network problems, application/OS interaction or other major circumstances.

Note:   A complete freeze is when the machine is rendered unresponsive to any input whatsoever.

Keeping track of what exactly was going on when the crash occurred can be the best tactic to taking on this error. By studying the circumstances the computer was in each time the freeze occurred you will eventually be able to narrow down which application is responsible. If the problem is hardware, you should be able to recognize a pattern with which requests to certain hardware items are being made.

Program Lockup

Programs often lockup without interfering with any other program including the operating system. Often, when this happens, the program locking up with make cause everything to stop responding. It will appear as if the operating system has frozen as well.

Note: Always attempt the Ctrl + Alt + Del before restarting the computer.

To attempt to salvage the environment without closing any other programs or rebooting you can try stopping the program causing the problem.

1. On the keyboard press the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys simultaneously.
2. Select the program believed to be the cause of the problem by clicking on it once
3. Click "end task".
4. Frequently, at this stage, a second box will pop up and say that the program has stopped responding or might be waiting for a response from you ... You will be given three choices; choose to "end task"

This will stop that program and allow you to continue working. However, if you are working on anything very important you may consider rebooting the PC or simply not using that particular program until you are done or have arrived at a solution for the cause of the lockup because it is likely to occur again.

Blue Screen Errors

Blue screen errors are characterized by the entire screen going blue, resembling that of a DOS program, and an error message is displayed. These errors can be as simple as a floppy disk or CD being removed from the drive while being read from or as complex as a read error on the hard drive. In many cases, the error is caused by a read error. This means that the operating system is attempting to write or read to/from a media device it was once able to.

If, at the blue screen, you see "Fatal Exception Error" This usually points to duplicate or incompatible DLL files being called into memory. Hit ENTER and try to get back to the Desktop. Save your work under a different file name and reboot. In the future, try to notice patterns, particular combinations of programs that cause the error. Look for software patches at the vendor's web sites.

System Dump

This error message is a subcategory of the Blue Screen error message.  Shut off the computer for at least 20 seconds and power on.  If this doesn't solve the problem, call Network Support.

You are using a program and suddenly its stops working

You hit CTRL-ALT-DEL to bring up the task list, and it says the program is NOT RESPONDING.
In this case, you have a few choices.

1. You can click "Cancel" and wait. In some cases, programs are temporarily halted in order to wait for hard disk activity to stop. This activity is often caused by the use of the swap file. This can happen often if you are running many programs and have less than, say, 32 MB or RAM.
2. Second choice is to hit "END TASK". This option will force the program to halt and close. You will lose any unsaved work.
3. Last Option is to shut down the system.

Internet Error Messages

• Proxy Error
  This error is common with proxy servers. The proxy is either down, busy, or cannot interpret the command that was sent to it. You may want to wait 30 seconds or more before trying to view the web page again. If the problem persists, contact the network administrator of that proxy.
• File Not Found (or 404 Not Found)
  The URL for the page you are attempting to load is not correct, or has changed. IF you you've typed the URL, doublecheck spelling, case sensitivity, colons, and slashes. If this is a link that once worked but does no longer, you will have to eliminate the file path at the end of the URL to get the server's home page and relocate the page from there.
  
• 401 Unauthorized
  The URL for the page you are attempting to load is correct, but you are not authorized to view that file. File permissions drive this error message.
  
• 403 Forbidden
  The URL you are attempting to load is correct, but it performs a system process you are not authorized to do.
  
• 500 Server Error
  This catch-all error code which indicates that something has gone wrong in the server and the problem has stopped the request from being completed.
  
• 501 Not Implemented
  The URL calls on the server to perform a system feature that has not been implemented.
  
• Connection Refused
  The URL for the page you are attempting to load is correct, but there were too many users already on the server.
  
• Unable to Locate Host
  The URL for the server you are attempting to reach is not correct, or has changed. If you've typed in this URL, doublecheck spelling, case sensitivity, colons, and slashes. If this is a link from a page on the Library site, Digital Library, or Information Resources, that once worked but does no longer, please notify us.
  
• Unable to Contact Host
  The URL for the server you are attempting to reach is correct, but the server is not responding. Try again another time.

For more information on error messages, check out PC Guide at www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/operr.htm

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