Definition: crash in Windows

When an application in Windows causes the computer to crash, called a "General Protection Fault" or "Application Error," different messages and options have appeared depending on the version of Windows. Following are the messages that may occur. Note that the option for obtaining technical details is only useful if the programmer who wrote the program is in your employ, and often, that information is not of any value.

Windows 7
[Name of Application] has stopped working.
Clicking CLOSE THE PROGRAM is the only option. Windows will notify the user if a known patch becomes available.

Windows Vista
[Name of Application] has stopped working.
Clicking CLOSE THE PROGRAM is generally the only option. Clicking CHECK ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND CLOSE THE PROGRAM may occasionally provide additional help. To get details for your programmer, click "View problem details" at the bottom of the dialog box.

Windows XP
[Name of Application] has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Clicking DON'T SEND is generally the only option. Clicking SEND ERROR REPORT sends information to Microsoft, which is only valuable if you are involved in a tech support case with the company. To get details for your programmer, click "Click Here" at the end of the sentence: "To see what data this error report contains, click here." Then click "Click Here" at the end of the sentence: "To view technical information about the error report, click here."

Windows 98
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
Clicking CLOSE is the only option. Clicking DETAILS displays the name of the offending module and register settings.


Windows NT 4.0 and 2000
[Name of Application and .exe] - Application Error
Click OK to terminate the program. Clicking CANCEL will cause the debugger in your computer (if a compiler is installed) to display the offending line of code for your programmer.