When Windows encounters a serious error,the default action is to automatically restart your PC, presumably to get you back up and running quickly.
The problem with this default behavior is that it gives you less than a second to read the error message on the screen. It's nearly possible to see what caused the error in that amount of time.
The automatic restart on system failure can be disabled, which gives you time to read and write down the error so you can begin troubleshooting.
After you disable automatic restart on system failure, Windows will hang on the error screen indefinitely, meaning that you'll need to restart your computer manually to escape the message.
The problem with this default behavior is that it gives you less than a second to read the error message on the screen. It's nearly possible to see what caused the error in that amount of time.
The automatic restart on system failure can be disabled, which gives you time to read and write down the error so you can begin troubleshooting.
After you disable automatic restart on system failure, Windows will hang on the error screen indefinitely, meaning that you'll need to restart your computer manually to escape the message.
Disabling Automatic Restart in Windows XP
- Left-click on Start, select Settings, and choose Control Panel.
- Click System in the Control Panel. (If you don't see the System icon, click Switch to Classic View on the left side of the Control Panel.)
- Select the Advanced tab in the System Properties window.
- In the Startup and Recovery area, click on Settings.
- In the Startup and Recovery window, uncheck the checkbox next to Automatically restart.
- Click OK in the Startup and Recovery window.
- Click OK in the System Properties window.
