With every new operating system from Windows, hopes are high that previous error messages that dogged previous operating systems will permanently become a thing of the past. While the number of reported Win32 error messages from Windows Vista are significantly down from pervious versions, they are still a fact of life. If you are still one of the many hold outs using Windows XP, you are likely very familiar with Win32 error messages. Let’s take a look at what this error actually means, how you can avoid getting them and how you can fix them once and for all.
Help! I’m inundated with Win32 Errors
For as long as people have been running Windows, the Win32 error has been driving people crazy. Often times, the error message looks like this, “Generic Host Process for WIN32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.” What makes this error message so confusing to so many is that it can happen at any time. In some instances, it happens as soon as you turn your computer on when Windows tries to load. It can happen when you open a certain program in Windows or it can happen as you try to close a particular window. When this error message occurs, often times the result is catastrophic. Your computer will either freeze completely or it will immediately restart without giving you the chance to save material you were working on. Thankfully, today’s versions of Microsoft Office have the ability to regenerate lost documents, but if you are using XP or an even older version of Windows such as 2000 or 98, than you would be completely out of luck.
How do I fix it?
A quick browse of the Microsoft Knowledge Database reveals several cures for the Win32 error message. This can be perceived as both a good and bad thing. It is good because the people at Windows recognize the issue and are able to repair it in most cases, but there is a bad side there as well considering there are so many different reasons why such an error message occurs, you could spend hours trying to find the correct fix.
In general, win32 errors are caused either by leftover drivers that your computer no longer uses or by a wide variety of viruses. First, let’s take a look at the driver issue. While there are many different fixes for win32 errors on the Microsoft website, perhaps the most trusted fix is one that has to do with leftover HP drivers. If you used to have an old HP printer or HP scanner installed on your machine, you may be getting your win32 errors because the driver is playing havoc with your operating system. The fix here is to unplug or uninstall the printers and scanners you have and then go to the HP website and find the updated drivers that work better with your operating system.
The other possible cause is a virus. While many individuals believe a virus can simply commit crimes like identity theft, some exist only to create problems on your computer. Viruses that give you a win32 error fall into that category. The biggest challenge you may face trying to rid yourself of such a virus is keeping your machine up and running long enough for your virus scan to finish. You may have to start up your machine in Safe Mode to ensure that your virus protection has enough time to finish.
Prevention is Key
There are two key things you can do to help prevent the reoccurrence of win32 errors in the future. First, many recent versions of Windows have a utility located in the Control Panel that will search for updated drivers for all of the hardware on your machine. Try using it on a regular basis to keep buggy drivers at bay. If you have to update some manually, do so. Second, have an updated virus protection program installed on your machine at all times and remember to run it and update it as frequently as you can. If you haven’t already chosen virus software for your computer, it is essential that you do so immediately.
There are a number of different virus protection programs out there, but you must do your research carefully. With many rogue security programs posing as helpful antivirus solutions, simply downloading the first program that has a safe-sounding name could leave you in a far worse position. As a result, you may want to talk to people about what they use, read the reviews on a number of products, and log into technical forums to see which virus solutions are best. In addition to an antivirus program, though, choose a good spyware solution to help round out your security procedures. Ensuring your security software is updated regularly and is allowed to scan your computer weekly should help keep error problems at bay.
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