Runtime error 203 is both hardware and software related problem that doesn’t allow a software to run appropriately. It might make you lose data within the file you are operating on, thereby corrupting the file in a way that you won’t be able to work on it again, or even denying you access to some features. This error doesn’t cause a program to stop running, unlike other Windows errors that will cause the blue screen of death and reboot the PC.
So far, computer programmers have been able to discover possible causes of error 203. One of the major cause is running two incompatible software programs. This error may also be due to corrupt or missing registry keys, obsolete device drivers, an unfinished installation, memory problems or even Windows registry that have been damaged by a virus. To prevent further system damages, it is highly recommended and advisable to fix this kind of error the moment you notice it.
Common Symptoms
Sound, video or printer problem
Windows application programs no longer load or operate correctly
Inability to install new software
Windows startup issues
Slow laptop performance
Freezing
Crashing
How to Fix Errors 203 on Windows 7
Ensure you install the latest updates for both the Windows 7 Operating System
Though updating the program might be probably marked as optional on the windows update page, pay no regard to it. You can update by clicking the “START” button icon on the Windows taskbar. In the search box, type “windows update” and some search result will pop up. Among the result, click on “windows update”.
Check Action Center for suggested solution to the program causing this error.
If you turn on “Windows Error Reporting” option and a program stop running, an error report or log is usually generated and dispatched to Microsoft for further analysis and evaluation. If a fix is available or there are certain steps that you can take to reduce future possibilities of runtime, they shall all be displayed in the Action Center. You can open Action Center by clicking the “START” button on the Windows taskbar. Click the “Control Panel” and below the “System and Security” menu, click on “Review your computer’s status” option.
Update and run your antivirus software program.
Antivirus software is not included in the Window 7 Package, but it is the responsibility of the Action Center to frequently monitor the antivirus software that you or your computer manufacturer have installed. You can open Action Center by clicking the “START” button on the Windows taskbar. Click the “Control Panel” and below the “System and Security” menu, click on “Review your computer’s status” option.
Check for excess memory.
Always ensure that your computer has enough random access memory (RAM) to run the program causing this error. Research about these program requirements on the internet or take a look at the packaging Information if possible.
Update the particular program causing this error to the latest version in order to fix bugs.
General Fix for Errors 203
Press “Ctrl+Alt+Del” to open the “Task Manager” on your PC in order to view the list of programs you are running. Press the “Processes” tab and sort the list by ‘username’.
Runtime errors are caused most of the time by running programs conflicting together with one another and you can fix the error immediately by ending the program causing this conflict. End running programs one by one to troubleshoot and discover the incompatible program. You can even end the programs running under your username by highlighting them and clicking the ‘End Process’ tab.
Check for reoccurrence of the error message after ending every program. Continue this procedure until you discover that the error message has disappeared after ending a particular program.
Update the identified program causing the conflict directly from the software developer’s homepage and check if the error has disappeared.
If the error still persists, uninstall and reinstall the program by downloading the latest version from the software official website.
Error 203 within running programs itself can also be a cause. Always check for bug fixes or patches that are released for your computer programs. And, don’t forget to update your program every time to fix bugs.
Errors 203 can also be caused by add-ons, plug-ins or some additional software that comes with an affected program. Eliminate the plug-ins and add-ons one by one to identify which one is causing the error.
Some malicious viruses and software can tamper with the computer memory and system settings. Such viruses may also trigger a runtime error. Install a recommended antivirus program and always run a scan on the system to remove this kind of malicious software from your computer.
Make sure that the antivirus program is up to date.
Always install windows update anytime they are released. You can also fix the registry on your own but it is not always advisable especially for an average user to carry out this kind of procedure as a small mistake could cost you a lot and your computer may not boot up as a result. Many computer experts even run away from using this method. If you do insist on using this method, here are the steps to follow:
Go to “Start Accessories” and click on “System Tools”.
Run “Disk Defragmenter”. Analyze and defragment the hard drive until it has finished.
Click on the “START” button and type in REGEDIT
You may want to look for the affected registry key right there and edit it.
The issue with manipulating the registry on your own is that you need to identify exactly which registry entry to modify and a way to modify it. This is a difficult process to take as it requires advanced computer skills and knowledge
In case you’ve attempted all of the above procedures and runtime error 203 still persists, it can be the computer itself or memory issue. In such situation, you must get in touch with the affected software developer for solutions.
If it’s a problem of the memory, try rebooting your computer for a temporary fix. Rebooting might create more memory space. However, if the random access memory (RAM) on your computer does not possess minimum space required to run the affected program, a runtime error may occur.
Sometimes, your hard drive needs to have at least 1GB to 2GB of free space to prevent any memory issue. To check the free space on your hard drive, Go to “My Computer” and right-click on “C” Drive. Choose “Properties” from the menu to check detailed information about the hard drive space. You can also use the disk cleanup option if the free space is low by pressing the ‘Disk Cleanup’ button and following the subsequent instructions.
“For many years, even as users became more sophisticated, personal computers took too much effort to use without problem-solving, keeping alive the yearning for greater simplicity. Microsoft’s dominant Windows platform, in particular, was a home for all manner of bugs and problmes that required IT people to strighten out”. – Walt Mossberg
Using cleaner Softwares
Just by installing a proactive registry cleaner and clicking a few buttons, you can easily fix error 203 in no time. You may have seen many websites that offer repairs and also claimed to be able to discover and correct any error that proves difficult to fix. Research has shown that these kinds of cleaners do this automatically by scanning through the registry of the system and fixing all of its faults thereby exposing the PC to some kind of risk and attack unless you find a reputable cleaner. Therefore, it is highly advisable that only those with in-depth expertise of how computers operate should be the ones making changes inside the Windows registry. Irrespective of which registry cleaner you are using, always ensure you do a full backup of the registry before you commence on any scanning. In case something goes wrong while fixing the registry, you can be able to restore your PC back to a point before the damage.
Conclusion
If you are handling runtime errors 203, you ought to realize that your system has simply encountered a memory related problem. There are a couple of reasons behind this problem, but the most important problem you need to solve is the lack of memory. The program causing the runtime error cannot be treated if your PC is having insufficient memory. Fixing runtime error 203 is easy to do with a registry cleaner. You just have to scan your computer by clicking on some buttons and wait for it to locate some issues in your registry. After that, you can see a button either below or by the side of the program interface asking you to click on them in order to fix the detected registry issues. These kind of cleaners are compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10 operating system.
If you have any feedback regarding this error message and you like to share some experiences with our numerous readers, please leave us a message inside the comment box below!
Ryan is a computer enthusiast who has a knack for fixing difficult and technical software problems. Whether you’re having issues with Windows, Safari, Chrome or even an HP printer, Ryan helps out by figuring out easy solutions to common error codes.
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