Error Messages: Are you an illegal operator?

Error Messages: Are You an Illegal Operator??
By: Scott Hendison � Published: September 1998

If you've been using Windows based computers for some time now, you've inevitably come across some problems that have made you wonder what's wrong with your computer.
I can't tell you how nice it is that I own a computer store and can have my trained technicians build me a top quality computer that works perfectly. I can't tell you how nice it is not to encounter those confusing error messages anymore. The reason I can't tell you those things is because they're not true!

Is there anyone out there who has never gotten an "Illegal Operation error" or an "Invalid Page Fault"? How about a "Fatal Exception" or a ".DLL error"?

Is there anyone out there who knows what they all mean? With the help of some internet literary theft, I will attempt to explain some of them. However, If there are any programmers reading this that can help, or that can improve on my information, please do so ASAP. Millions of us are sick of it!

Invalid Page fault, Illegal operation, and Fatal exception - These errors are usually caused by software. Two applications (or drivers) try to use the same part of your memory. However, if this is happening frequently, it can be caused by anything, including bad RAM, buggy drivers, and disk errors (run SCANDISK to correct). The best strategy is to try to figure out how to reproduce the problem, and then contact the manufacturer of the offending product (unless it's Microsoft; then you're out of luck). The best thing you can do is to write the message down, but keep in mind that all of those numbers (memory addresses) are absolutely useless to you; don't bother recording them unless a technician specifically asks you to do so.

.DLL errors - Many program share files, called DLL's (Dynamic Link Libraries). The problem arises when one errant application overwrites a newer version of a DLL with an older (or just different) version. It can also arise when an application is uninstalled incorrectly, or even correctly. The only reliable way to solve the problem without a lot of fuss is to first uninstall, and then to reinstall the offending software. There are lots of people who can dig in and check their versions of their .dll files but the only reason to do that would be if you don't have the disks to reinstall.

Don't be surprised if you come across very few shops or technicians who want to talk about these issues, or who can accurately pinpoint the cause of a problem. That doesn't really make them less qualified. If a window gets broken, you don't have to know how it broke to put in a new pane of glass.

It's my opinion that these crashes, or errors are all too common in today's world of computing. The sad reality is that Windows is always going to be a work in progress. With so much different software running on so many computers built with so many varying parts, it's a miracle that anything works at all. It's enough to make you want to pick up a pen and paper sometimes, instead of fighting with your computer just to write a newspaper article.

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note 2007:

Scott Hendison is the CEO of Search Commander. He is a former Portland computer store retailer that built a local on-site service business through Pay Per click and organic search engine optimization. In 2003, he started focusing exclusively on search marketing.

Today he is a search engine marketing consultant that serves clients in 5 countries, who find him on the front page of most search engines for "internet consultant" and related phrases.