Windows XP is by default configured to restart your PC automatically in the event of a very serious system error. Your standard application fault or error message won't do this. I'm talking about major errors like the ones that generate the infamous blue screen of death.
If Windows XP is setup to restart automatically when the error appears, you only have about 1/2 to 1 second to view the error message. Considering that blue screen of death messages are typically long and contain strings of code, this certainly isn't enough time to write the problem down for further troubleshooting.
Unfortunately, in many cases, this isn't something you can wait around to change until after the message starts appearing. You need to be proactive. Right now (assuming you have a few minutes), disable the automatic restart option in Windows XP and you won't have to worry about this in the future.
If Windows XP is setup to restart automatically when the error appears, you only have about 1/2 to 1 second to view the error message. Considering that blue screen of death messages are typically long and contain strings of code, this certainly isn't enough time to write the problem down for further troubleshooting.
Unfortunately, in many cases, this isn't something you can wait around to change until after the message starts appearing. You need to be proactive. Right now (assuming you have a few minutes), disable the automatic restart option in Windows XP and you won't have to worry about this in the future.
Useless if the computer already have the problem cause you can’t boot it normally
@Alfonso Fernandez: You’re absolutely right, which is why I suggested that you be proactive. Microsoft wised up beginning in Windows Vista and gave an option to disable automatic restart from the Advanced Boot Options menu (the Safe Mode menu).