A computer crash is one of the last things you would want to experience in the middle of an important business you are doing on your PC. It also would ruin an otherwise enjoyable and relaxing web surfing or research experience. The hardest part, of course, is dealing with a computer crash problem, which is a very tedious task. It may also cost you a fortune.

The most common causes of a computer crash are (1) a damaged registry; (2) spyware programs; (3) an overcrowded hard disk; and (4) too much startup programs installed.

A computer’s registry contains important configuration information that supports all hardware and software operations. It is one of the most vulnerable components of your Windows operating system. The prolonged use of your PC system opens it up to malicious, incorrect, and harmful information carried by malicious spyware. These unwanted data fills up your PC memory, causing the whole system to slow down, read errors, and eventually, crash.

A slow registry slows the computer down because it would take longer to read requests sent by your software and hardware programs. A reliable registry cleaning tool is the best option you have to solve your problem. Such tools dispose of unwanted and malicious files in your registry. Use registry cleaner tools to defrag your registry and create registry backups. This way your registry could be restored in case it fails because of malware.

Registry problems do not develop overnight. However, one virus could send your computer crashing within a matter of minutes. It is the responsibility of computer owners to install anti-spyware and anti-virus on their computers. If you plan on buying a new PC, make sure such programs are already installed. Update your anti-virus programs regularly. New viruses and malware programs are developed every passing minute, ready to invade your system if you make the wrong move.

Choose tools that have a real-time protection system to be able to combat incoming malware and viruses as they make their first move. Anti-virus and anti-spyware tools can usually be set to hold full system scans at regular intervals. Take advantage of this function.

Once your disk space has been cleaned, it is advisable to activate your Disk Defragmenter, which compresses your files, optimize your disk, and speed up the whole system.

Another fact that you should be aware of is that your PC is exposed to internal and external activities even though you are not using it. Such background processes are necessary for your operating system to be working properly but some of them, especially those belonging to some applications, are not actually needed unless the certain applications are applied. These unnecessary processes cause your PC to crash because they load every time you start your PC. To address this, enable the System Configuration Utility and disable the non-utility programs or tools. You could also try deleting the shortcuts to these unused programs from the Start menu.

Finally, your hard disk needs a general cleaning. Apply the Disk Cleanup tool, available with Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. A disk cleanup will compress your files and allow more disk space. It also eliminates unnecessary program setup files, organize your temporary Internet files, and uninstall unwanted programs and tools.