So you've had error or crash occur, and now the application won't work, there are number of questions you need to ask yourself with the aim of gathering the clues.

Was there an error message? There usually is. If it's not displayed, it may be in the Event Logs (Windows 2000, XP ...Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer).

What is the exact error message? This is the vital one, all subsequent messages, as mentioned on the previous page are a result of the first. Make a note of the exact error messages word for word, clearly noting which was first, and the subsequent error message perhaps. Does the message reference a hardware component or software component?

Is the processor usage on 100% continually? Is there high processor usage? Newer operating systems all have a system of monitoring how busy the processor is. Newer versions of Windows have Task Manager. If the processor is on 100% continually, you either have an application in memory taking up all the processor time, or a virus.

What is loading on Startup? Most dodgy applications, viruses, malware, adware etc etc have to run from somewhere when the computer starts. In Windows, you can view the 'System Information' tool which is supplied with all versions of Windows [Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information]. For start up information, [System Summary > Software Environment > Startup Programs]). Remember, this include all applications which run on startup, good and bad.

Determine the type of problem. Hardware Error, are the visual errors referencing hardware components? Is the hard disk making a noise or having difficulty reading data? User Error, does the application just not work as expected? is that web site address correct, or is their email server correctly entered for example? Code Error, is the problem reproducible on other PCs every time? File Error, is the error unique to this PC? did it work before the last time someone used it?

What was the last software installed? As mentioned prior, these things don't happen by themselves. Usually something was installed, a driver updated, a patch applied, or an application run. The usual problem these days is something has been downloaded from the internet, and run out of curiosity. Maybe a virus, or maybe something else.

What version of Operating System is it? However every trivial or serious the error, it may be operating system specific. For example, a new software package may not work on an old version of the operating system, but will on the latest.

Operating System Event Logs for the time of the error or crash? Take a note of the first crash time, then look in the logs for error messages around that time and prior. Often if a problem is occurring, you will see a reoccurring patter in the errors in the logs, and probably trace it back to a particular day when the problem was caused. All event log entries have a Source, Category and Event ID which can be researched.

Does the application have it's own logs? If so, these might be more informative and show the error and events leading up to it.

What was running at the time of the crash? Make a note of everything running at the time of the crash.

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