We all hate that dreaded "Error" message that pops up on the computer screen! The screen freezes, the mouse stops working! Desperate clicks and hitting the "Enter" button repeatedly don't lead anywhere, the screen goes black! Yes, we all know the drill. Wait and wait till the computer restarts. And in the mean time, God help if you have missed your precious data.

Computer errors cannot be avoided. That is the fact. However what we can do is try and understand why they happen at the first place and how do deal with such errors so that these are not repeated. So what are the main reasons why you may get an error message on your computer?

When you use software that is not compatible with your operating system, you will get an error message. Thus if the software specification specifies that you need to have Windows Vista for this software to run, then if your operating system is Windows XP, then either while attempting to upload the software it will show error or the software may get uploaded but while attempting to run it will show errors.

Every software program requires a certain amount of hard disc space and memory to run. Again all these requirements are specified on the software box. If there is a mismatch of the software specifications and your hardware availability, then on loading the program it will either not run or it will show errors.

Many software use the concept of shared files. So when you download a new software, it may actually need a certain file that is already available in your computer to run. However if the version of the already available file does not match the newly downloaded software version, then an error message will pop up.

Often certain software require specific drivers to run. So if your system has incorrect versions of drivers then there will be a conflict in commands when such a software is loaded in your computer. Updating your drivers and your software versions on a regular basis is of great importance when it comes to have an error-free computer experience.

To avoid sudden shutting down of the computers, losing data, these are the few steps that you can follow:

Always use licensed products.

Always match the version compatibility.

Avoid running multiple programs at the same time unless it is necessary.

Do not give commands all at the same time thereby taking CPU usage to 100%.

Always stay up-to-date. Update your licenses, virus protection and software.

Scan any external drive or CD that you play in computer for viruses before running those.

It is beyond the scope of this article to discuss each and every computer error that you may come across in your time in front of the computer. But knowing the most common causes and some preliminary precautions will definitely help you in avoiding some of the errors that are most common and help you keep enjoying your computer without worrying about error messages.