The first thing to do when an Error Message pops up is to stay calm and read it. You can gain a lot of information from simply reading the message. It might be something as simple as entering a password. It could also be rather cryptic so let's deal with four of the most common messages right now.

1. Invalid Page Fault:
   This occurs when the operating system (Windows) fails to actually access information (data) that was requested by one of your programs. It's as if the butler simply went to sleep on the job.

   Remedy:
   Close the offending application that caused the error.

2. Fatal Exception Error:
   This happens when a program or the system itself tries to work with sickly data, such as a corrupt file. Files get corrupted if all the ducks aren't lined up just so. Everything has to be precise, or wham, Fatal Exception.

   Remedy:
   Close the offending application. Sometimes it's Windows.

3. General Protection Fault (GPF):
   Your computer has to have enough resources to support everything going on inside. If it runs low, or resources leak into space, you may see a GPF. This may also happen if two applications try to use the same memory location, like two cars attempting the same parking stall ... Fault.

   Remedy:
   Again close the offending application.

4. Runtime Error.
   These occur while applications are running.

   Remedy:
   The only way to cure them is to restart the application.

Those were the most common types of error message you'll encounter. Now here are a few more error messages you may see, along with what they mean. If you encounter a message you really want to figure out (like with many Windows problems), you might have to consult the Microsoft Knowledge Base for solutions.

1. The device has been disabled in the hardware.
   In order to use this device, you must re-enable the hardware. See your hardware documentation for details. The documentation will only tell you how the device should be set up. It won't help you any with the error message.

   This Windows error message is caused by hardware components that malfunction or may be configured incorrectly. Check all connections, try reinstalling the device, or try it in another computer. If it still gives the same message, it's probably broken.

2. Error starting program:
   There is not enough memory. Quit some programs and try again. There are three possible answers:
   • Your hard drive is too full and can't accommodate more data. Since Windows uses space on your hard drive as virtual memory (in addition to RAM) this could be the cause. Be sure you have at least 10% of your drive free. On a 10 gigabyte hard drive, that would be 1 Gigabyte minimum (that's easy arithmetic but with today's problems in the teaching of mathematics, especially here in my country, one never knows).

   • The Recycle Bin may have too much space reserved. Try decreasing this amount to a lower percentage. The default is 10%.

   • You may need to upgrade your RAM. Many current computers work just fine with 64/128 megabytes to run Windows, but will benefit if you double that amount.

3. Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application. Here you might have to grab the phone and call for help, because this is dial-up networking problem. Reinstall dial-up networking. How? Use the Add/Remove programs utility in the Control Panel. Add the dial-up networking program. It's not as easy as sounds, so I advise you to try and find a techie-type who can help you out if this is your problem.

Remember that Error Messages are there to guide you into the light. After passing through the valley of the shadow of possible doom, you'll enter a new land of understanding. Certain events trigger error messages - like starting your computer, or trying to run two applications that fight each other for memory locations (known as conflicting applications).

You may never operate without an error message, but at least you'll start learning to decipher them, and may discover they aren't so bad after all. This is true especially if you're able to fix the cause. So next time an Error Message invades your space treat it as a warning that your computer may need some tender loving care ... and NOT a kick in the you-know-where.

Well, any errors or suggestions? ... ... what? everything's working?

This way is back to ... Tips 'n Tricks Menu ... next line for exit.
Here we'll return to ... Navigator ... that's bon voyage.

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