PCs Crash. Here's Why:

(For a more complete explanation, click here: Crash-Proof Computing)
(For a Technical Discussion, click here: The Anatomy of a Lockup)

1. They were "born to be bad" - Trade offs between price and reliability in the design and manufacture of hardware and software have left users between the Service Desk and the Blue Screen of Death. 

2. By accident or sabotage - Loose, missing or damaged parts and cords. 

3. Operating system failures - Due to modern threading and memory management these occur less frequently in each new release of Windows. 

4. Application programming errors - Bad Code = Bugs. 

5. Resource Limitations - Not enough RAM or Old and Slow Hardware. 

6. The Operating Environment - Includes everything that individuates a single machine from monitor to mouse, screen saver to password settings and yes, New software is capable of killing Old software...

7. After 49.7 days of continuous operation, no matter what, Windows "Hangs." Microsoft has published the fix here. Since most machines crash well before 49.7 days have elapsed, the upgrade is of questionable value and has been implemented in Win98SE. 

In other words, taking into account operator and programming error: PCs Crash because it is their nature!

The long term solution lies in the eventual upgrade to better equipment and better software. Until then we have to rely on optimizing configurations, preventive maintenance, the "Save" button and good Technical Support.