# Dealing with Windows illegal operations
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 25, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317 "2003-05-25T00:37:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Susma\_Rio\_Sep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susma_Rio_Sep)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317/1 "2003-05-25T00:37:34Z")
Windows announcement of illegal operation with the closing of the program in actual use is a very effective way of training Windows users in the virtue of patience and equanimity. I am using an Intel MMX 166 Processor and Windows ’95 edition ’97.
Nonetheless, being an intelligent user – pardon the self-adulation – I would like to inquire from more knowledgeable and experienced people here, whether they might have any references to any free programs in the Internet, which can foresee already the illegal operation that is going to happen (like the god atop a tall building seeing two vehicles approaching the same blind corner and going to crash into each other, which he is supposed to be able to do something to prevent the smash up).
Otherwise I just have to restart the program all over again, having lost data which had been brought up or worked up earlier – to the waste of precious time and trouble.
Help, please, anyone here.
Thanks a lot for your notice and assistance.
Susma Rio Sep
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### Author:  [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317/2 "2003-05-25T01:03:39Z")
There are programs out there that do exactly that job. ‘crashguard’ rings a bell.
I think DrWatson (you should already have that if you have windows I think) can do it too.
Someone will post with actuall links and better information soon. And his name will probably be **Q.E.D**
Oh and someone is going to knock at your door… NOW.
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### Author:  [@Severian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Severian)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317/3 "2003-05-25T01:09:13Z")
Is it always the same program that’s crashing? Can you give us the dirty details of the illegal operation message?
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### Author:  [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317/4 "2003-05-25T01:13:58Z")
Programs that claim to do that always cause more trouble than they solve. And with a P166 you really don’t want to add to the load. Isn’t it time to upgrade both hardware and software? Even just WIN98 will crash less than Win95. Your eally should consider upgrading.
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [May 25, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317/5 "2003-05-25T01:23:06Z")
Actually, bomb Shelter, shich was part of M[sup]c[/sup]Afee’s Nuts & Bolts package was excellent. In addition to reducing the number of illegal operation errors and BSODs, it modified Windows’ error dialog to allow you to attempt to recover from errrors. Check places that sell used software, such as [www.recycledsoftware.com](http://www.recycledsoftware.com) and look for Nuts & Bolts 98 (it _should_ run on 95). Also, I do strongly second **sailor** ’s suggestion to upgrade to Win 98 or 98 SE (with your system forget about going higher).
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### Author:  [@Susma\_Rio\_Sep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susma_Rio_Sep)
#### Post date: [May 27, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-windows-illegal-operations/177317/6 "2003-05-27T03:21:33Z")
It’s amazing, I get all these useful tips from such wonderfully kind fellow dopers.
God bless you all.
Susma Rio Sep