On the Rag: Windows and Bit Rot

Because there's always something to rag about...

I hate Microsoft.

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I think it's worth repeating.

I hate Microsoft.

Why, you ask? Well there are many, many, many reasons to hate Microsoft, IMHO, but today I'm here to talk about Bit Rot. Bit Rot refers to “degradation of a software program over time.” (Wikipedia). Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), this problem occurs only in PCs—computers configured to run Windows operating systems (XP, Vista, Windows 7, etc.) and Windows based programs.  

Back in the '90s, many experts claimed Bit Rot was due to electrical problems. They claimed that if your computer was not plugged into it's own dedicated wall receptacle, it would start to deteriorate which would result in said Bit Rot. This seems completely illogical to me. Computers have built in transformers which convert 120 AC into low voltage DC. They're designed to deal with voltage fluctuations, and can easily handle anywhere from 110 to 130 volts—and still produce the correct output. If there's an electrical problem, it's going to burn out the transformer first, long before it effects the PC. Again, this is my personal opinion.

Recently, some experts owned up to the truth. Bit Rot is caused by three basic things: Microsoft's Window OS uninstalling software incorrectly, badly written software programs, and conflicting hardware drivers.  

When you install software onto your computer, not only is it written into the file system but also the computer's registry. If you're unfamiliar with the term, the registry “is essentially the catalog or reference source for your computer. When you attempt to open a program-for example, your word processor-your computer queries the registry to find where the program is stored.” (Registry Repair Learning Centre) The problem is, though most programs are good at installing themselves on your computer, they are terrible at uninstalling, and often leave not only bits of the program in the filing system, but also in the registry. Neither does Windows have the ability to clean up the registry. So while you think you've uninstalled a program, its left it's mark on your computer and added to the ever expanding size of your registry.

Unlike Apple, Microsoft does not make software developers meet certain criteria when writing Windows based programs. This means anyone can write a program for Windows, even someone who doesn't know, or care, what they are doing, which will result in conflicts between various programs. This most commonly occurs with Freeware & Shareware programs. Be sure to double check the source or developer of the program before downloading it into your computer, because once you do so, you may have a hell of a time removing it completely.

The third culprit of Bit Rot is drivers for hardware, such as printers, audio and graphic cards. In recent years, it seems manufactures have gotten “lazy” when it comes to uninstalling the old driver before updating your system with the new one. This can cause tremendous conflict and often leads to freezing up and even crashing your computer. It also leads to Bit Rot as it effects Windows as a whole.  

Now, some will try to claim this is Microsoft bashing or Windows “urban legend”, but I and my family have personally experienced this with five of our Windows based computers over the years. Most recently, was with my Toshiba Laptop, A40, one of the best computers I've ever owned. I wrote several romance novels on that keyboard and probably well over a million words. Needless to say, I wore out the lettering on the keyboard. But after four marvellous years, it too gave up the ghost. As I loved this laptop, I did tons of research and tried hard to “bring it back from the dead.” I even restored it back to the original factory settings using Toshiba's own software, but the blue screen kept appearing, which meant the laptop was no longer stable. It seems to me, Bit Rot may have corrupted the motherboard, and perhaps even the processing chip. And once Bit Rot starts eating away at your computer, there is no stopping it.  

How do you prevent Bit Rot? Well...according to the experts, there's not much you can do. Other than try to limit the software or types of software you install on your computer, but that's not always possible as you will never know which software is going to cause a conflict in your PC. Because most software released to the public is not properly beta tested, even programs from trusted developers can start the ball rolling with bit rot. And lets not forget all those drivers you'll be installing with each new printer, scanner, etc. Once you're computer starts slowing down, and especially when you receive your first “blue screen”, it's just a matter of time before it breathes its last...

To learn more about Bit Rot, check out this excellent article at ZDnet – Windows bit rot – fact or fiction?