What causes the blue screen of death?

[A.J. Nitro]

Google hasn't really given me a definite answer, so I'll trust you guys. I'm only asking because I have never been a victim to blue screens until earlier this year.

[Roxas358]

Well, my moms computer was having that problem and it seems to be fixed after reseating the ram. Maybe if you take out the ram sticks and put them back in the problem will go away.

[puggsoy]

Google hasn't really given me a definite answer, so I'll trust you guys.

As far as I know TBSOD can be caused many different ways, both hardware and software related, so that's probably why you're not getting a single answer. The screen itself should give you some sort of indication as to the problem, but you'll most likely have no time to read it before the screen crashes, and/or you won't be able to understand what it means.
I myself haven't really fallen victim to many, and most were when I was real young and non-computer-savvy, so I didn't really deal with them (even now I don't own my own PC so I don't take care of them completely). However as Roxas said you should probably see if some of your hardware is loose or dusty if it happens.

Basically, the most you can do to prevent them is just take care of your PC as much as possible. Keep it clean, run virus/registry scans, defragment occasionally, etc. Hope that helps!

[Vipershark]

It could be literally anything.

Next time you get one, copy down the error codes and stuff that come up.

Your hardware could be acting up, or it might just be time for a Windows reinstall.

[Raz]

You may have to disable automatic reboot on BSOD, it's easy enough; Right click on Computer/My Computer. Click Properties, on windows 7 at the side you click "Advanced System settings", click on the settings button in the "Startup and Recovery" section, uncheck "Automatically restart"

This'll give you enough time to copy down the exact error code and google it.