crash what to do?

[2leon]

1) Recently I experienced a system crash with a blue screen saying that the system was shutting down to protect the computer. The screen disappeared before i could read the rest (perhaps something about a driver or a device) and a black screen appeared prompting to restart. I used start normally and worked fine and had no more problems since then (2 days ago), The whole thing left me wondering if something serious is going to happen any time soon. My system is 64 bit and uses Norton as antivirus. What to do?
2) A couple of weeks ago I had a system freeze after automatic installation of updates that required a hard reboot. No problems other than 1) above.
I have computers running Vista and XP that are much older an never had issues like these

 

[richc46]

You have what is called the BSOD, or the blue screen of death. Follow these instructions and we will bring it back from the dead
http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

 

[2leon]

Not clear why it is called BSOD. Is it a warning or something terrible is going to happen again? Thanks for your help

 

[richc46]

No, forget the name. Follow my instructions and your computer will be as good as new.

 

[2leon]

It seems to be a complicated procedure. Does it lend to a screw up that will make things worse? What are the consequences of sitting tight and doing nothing If not screen of "death" what is it? Thanks for following the tread.

 

[richc46]

In simple lanuage. Your computer tried to do something that is could not do. A driver may be corrupted or your memory may be bad. What will happen if you do not fix it, is that you will keep getting the BSOD. You may be playing a game and at the best part BSOD. We do not know if it will cause damage, if the BSOD is because of overheating yes it will cause damage. We cannot give you an definite answerr unless you give us the reports.