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Errors, Failures, and Risks
Errors in computer systems:
Error is a software fault that causes the operating system to no lengthier work correctly.
System errors are normally serious and may require a hardware device to be repaired or
replaced.
Causes of computer errors:
Computers are complicated machines that comprise hardware from several companies, run
software having thousands of lines of code, and use dozens of different drivers. Truly, it's
astonishing that they are as stable as they are today. Most problems are related to a software
programming error that can be rigged by acquiring an updated version of the software code.
There are a number of things which can cause computer errors, and to cover them all would
take several thousand pages. However, here are some of the most common things that cause
computer errors, along with what you can do to restrain them from happening.
Viruses and malware: One of the most common causes of computer errors is viruses and
malware, each of which tries to hijack your computer for malicious purposes. Spyware,
keyloggers, and hijackers are some of the more risky examples that come to mind.
Malware comes in all shapes and sizes and should be immediately removed from your PC if
detected. Anti-Virus software helps you to get rid of malicious threats.
Noise: On the computer, noise can come in many forms. For example, noise/clutter in the
Windows registry can obstruct applications from running accurately. Or, if the hard drive is
filled with needless browser cookies and cache information, it could likewise be causing
errors. Fortunately, there are many cost-effective programs that will help you to eliminate
noise/clutter on your PC. Or, if you’d rather to eliminate clutter yourself, consider
uninstalling old, unused programs or deleting your browser’s cache information.
Poor internet browsing: The internet can be a frightening, dangerous place if your browser
isn’t configured appropriately. Put simply, an unsafe/leaky browser could be a direct cause of
errors on your PC. To stop this from happening in the future, use the internet optimization
features on a program like PC Cleaner, which will independently tackle any browser problem
you throw at it, radically improving your security in the future.
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Hardware failure: If an element of your PC steadily starts to fall into disrepair, it could be
causing errors across the rest of your computer. And if the heatsink of your CPU begins to
overheat, for example, then the resulting lag in performance will negatively impact
everything you do on your PC. Update your drivers regularly, and consider cleaning out the
inside of your PC case with a good air duster.
How to prevent errors: We will able to stop errors by following the below steps.
▪ Update software regularly
▪ Use anti-virus software to get rid of malicious threats
▪ Delete unnecessary files or browser cookies or cache information.
▪ Use the safe or configured browser.
▪ To prevent hardware failure update hard drive regularly.
▪ Use advanced registry detection
Types of computer errors:
1.Billing Error: Any mistake on a bill resulting from the seller's mistake. For example, a
company may add what is owed incorrectly or accidentally omit a credit it should have
included. The buyer does not have to pay billing errors, though the dispute may take some
time to resolve.
Example: A woman received a $6.3 million bill for electricity. The correct amount was $63.
The cause was an input error made by someone using a new computer system.
2. Inaccurate and misinterpreted data in databases: If there are inaccurate and
misinterpreted data exist in the databases then the error may occur. It is challenging to get
accurate and meaningful error rates for major databases with information
about millions of people.
Numerous causes contribute to the frequency and severity of the problems people suffer
because of errors in databases and misinterpretation of their contents:
▪ Large population where people may share names
▪ Automated processing may not be able to recognize special cases
▪ Errors in data entry
▪ Lack of accountability for errors
▪ Overconfidence in the accuracy of data
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▪ Poor database design
▪ Failure to update and correct data.
The first cause is unlikely to replace. It is the context in which we live. The second is
partly a side effect of the speed and processing ability of computer technology, but we can
reduce its negative impacts with better system specifications and training of users. The
remaining factors in the list above are all within our control as individuals, professionals,
and policy makers.
3. System errors: These are quite critical types of errors among those that can pop up on
your computer.System errors are caused by malfunctioning hardware components, corrupted
operating system modules, etc.
4. Runtime errors: This errors are caused by corrupted or malfunctioning system files or
software executables. Most runtime errors cause the application that caused it to shut down.
However, more serious runtime errors may cause the system to become unstable or
unresponsive, suggesting that you should restart your computer.
5. Stop errors: Stop errors are caused by corrupted hardware, especially malfunctioning
RAM modules and bad sectors on hard disks. Stop errors can be difficult to resolve at times.
6. Device Manager Errors: These are usually caused by corrupted driver files or
malfunctioning hardware components. In case of the former cause, the problem is often
solved by reinstalling or updating the drivers. However, the latter cause can often be solved
only by replacing hardware components.
7. POST code errors: POST code errors are caused by malfunctioning hardware
components, and are characterized by short beep sounds from the tiny internal speaker of
your motherboard. POST code errors occur when you press the power button to turn on your
PC or computer.
8. No Video Output: When you open your PC or computer, nothing shows up in your
monitor and the LED indicator of your monitor is flashing in yellow color.
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9. Never Ending Loading of Operating system: The computer opens up then boots but
when the operating system loads it, doesn't continue and it will take a longtime if you're
going to wait for it to load.
10. Application causes system to restart: Just like the mouse problem, when you open a
program that will take the whole screen like for example a game and/or a program
application, when you close it, it will cause your system to restart.
Failures in computer systems:
The inability of a system or component to perform its required functions within specified
performance requirements. A system failure can occur because of a hardware failure or a
severe software issue, causing the system to freeze, reboot, or stop functioning altogether. A
system failure may or may not result in an error being displayed on the screen. The computer
may shut off without warning and without any error message. If an error message is
displayed, it often is displayed as a Blue Screen of Death error.
Computer systems fail general reasons:
▪ The task they are intended for is inherently difficult
-Errors and ambiguity in program specifications
▪ The job is done poorly
- Not considering how the system interacts with real users or real world problems
- Dishonest reliability or safety estimates to cover up flaws and avoiding expenses
▪ System failures may result from a hard drive with bad sectors, causing the operating
system to not be able to read data from the hard drive. A failing motherboard can
cause a system failure because the computer is not able to process requests or operate
in general.
▪ A bad processor can and usually causes a system failure because the computer cannot
operate if the processor is not working properly or at all.
▪ A bad RAM chip can also cause system failures because the operating system is not
able to access data stored on the RAM chip.
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▪ System failures due to software issues can occur if the issue in the software, such as a
bad line of code, is severe enough. The system failure and subsequent computer shut
down occurs as an attempt to prevent damage to other software or the operating
system.
▪ Computer software often comes with various bugs or vulnerabilities. These are simply
programming mistakes, but they can make the software susceptible to viruses and
glitches. When an error is discovered, the software designer sends out a “patch” that
requires downloading and rebooting. Failing to upgrade the software by running the
patch can lead to the corruption of data.
▪ There are several malware protection packages available for computer rooms or data
centers. Once installed, the subscription must be maintained. One telltale sign of a
malware-infected computer is slow data processing.
▪ Overheating can cause severe damage to your system
▪ Checking the performance of the CPU is another way to identify why your computer
is failing.
How to prevent failures: We will able to stop failures by following the below steps.
1. Know that your computer is going to fail: Although this may not happen to you,
especially if you follow the steps in this article, you need to treat your computer as if
it were a doomed failure. Your failure to do so could possibly result in your computer
failing you sooner. Always assume that failure is imminent.
2. Learn to recognize the signs of imminent failure: Failure is not simply an error – it
is a fatal error that results in data loss, damage to your computer and/or its ability to
function, hardware failure, or other serious issues. Signs of imminent failure might
include regular poor performance, frequent errors and/or popups, unknown programs
being installed, frequent power loss, frequent crashes, or certain parts not working.
3. Dust issues: Preventing failure means making sure your computer is clean, physically
and in its operations. Make sure that there isn't too much dust inside, especially on the
fans. Dust can reduce performance and cause overheating. Also, make sure that there
are no unnecessary programs or files on your computer, and that the registry is well
maintained. Be sure to run frequent virus scans.
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4. RAM issues: Know your computer's specifications and the limits of those
specifications. Remember that running idly, your computer takes up at least some of
your computer's RAM, as well as its processing power, for the operating system is
running, as well as background programs (e.g.: antivirus software). So, that means
that if a program requires at least 256 megabytes of RAM, and you only have 256
megabytes of RAM on your computer, you won't have success running the program.
5. Don't do anything unusual: If a popup shows up asking you to do something that
you don't feel comfortable with, don't click on it. Use the task manager to kill it, or
reboot your computer. Don't install programs you don't fully trust. When installing
freeware or shareware, read everything, and uncheck any additional "new product
notifier" programs, toolbars, or other things you don't want.
6. Deal with hardware issues: When something isn't working properly, either diagnose
the problem yourself and fix it, or contact a professional and have them look at it for
you. Take advantage of warranties on parts if they fail.
7. Malware issues: Make sure that your anti-virus software is updated to be able to scan
necessary files. Don’t install an unknown program.
Types of System Failures: There are various types of failures in the computer system.
1. Voting system:
▪ Technical failures: The voting machines are not well designed. So, there is a
high risk.
▪ Programmers or hackers rigging software to produce inaccurate results: A
hacker could reprogram an electronic voting machine directly, if it’s left
unguarded, or remotely if it’s connected to the internet and can produce an
inaccurate result. They can change the voting result by editing databases.
▪ Vulnerability to viruses: voting machines are not secure enough to guarantee a
trustworthy election, and an attacker with access to a single machine could
disrupt or change the outcome of an election using viruses.
▪ Many of the failures that occurred result from causes we will see over and
over: Lack of sufficient planning and thought about security issues,
insufficient testing, and insufficient training.
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2. Stalled airport:
▪ Real-world problems: Some scanners got dirty or knocked out of alignment
and could not detect carts going by. Faulty latches on the carts caused luggage
to fall onto the tracks between stops.
▪ Problems in other systems: The airport’s electrical system could not handle the
power surges associated with the baggage system. The first full-scale test blew
so many circuits that the test had to be halted.
▪ Software errors: A software error caused the routing of carts to waiting for
pens when they were actually needed.
3. Abandoned system:
▪ Some flaws in systems are so extreme that the systems are discarded after
wasting millions, or even billions, of dollars.
▪ Example:
➢ Ford Motor purchasing system
➢ Hotel and rental car businesses
➢ IRS tax modernization plan
4. Legacy system: A legacy system is a computer system, programming language,
software application, process or other technology that is outdated or that can no longer
receive support and maintenance but is essential for organizations or companies and
cannot be replaced or updated easily for different reasons:
▪ Legacy systems are reliable but inflexible.
▪ Expensive to replace
▪ Little or no documentation
▪ There is rarely, if ever, a complete specification of the legacy systems which
makes it impossible to specify a new one that is functionally identical.
▪ The operational risk of some updates may be too high, especially if key data
can be lost or corrupted.
▪ The software may contain some important business rules not mentioned or
noted in any other document.
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Risk in computer system:
A computer risk is really anything on a computer that may damage or steal your data or allow
someone else to access a computer, without your knowledge or consent. There are a lot of
different things that can create a computer risk, including malware, a general term used to
describe many types of bad software. We commonly think of computer viruses, but, there are
several types of bad software that can create a computer security risk, including viruses,
worms, ransomware, spyware, and Trojan horses.
Types of risk:
▪ Physical risks: resulting from physical access or damage to IT resources such as the
servers. These could include theft, damage from fire or flood, or unauthorized access
to confidential data by an employee or outsider.
▪ Electronic risks - aiming to compromise your business information - eg a hacker
could get access to your website, your IT system could become infected by a
computer virus, or you could fall victim to a fraudulent email or website. These are
commonly of a criminal nature.
▪ Technical failures - such as software bugs, a computer crash or the complete failure
of a computer component. A technical failure can be catastrophic if, for example, you
cannot retrieve data on a failed hard drive and no backup copy is available.
▪ Infrastructure failures - such as the loss of your internet connection can interrupt
your business - eg you could miss an important purchase order.
▪ Human error - is a major threat - eg someone might accidentally delete important
data, or fail to follow security procedures properly.
How to manage risks:
Managing various types of risks begins with identifying exactly-
▪ the type of threats/risks affecting your business or computer systems
▪ the assets that may be at risks
▪ the ways of securing your IT/computer systems
▪ Control Recommendations
