A buffer underrun error occurs when a buffer is empty and one device or process must stop while the other tries to push more data into it. This can cause minor or severe consequences, but it can be resolved by changing the size or speed of the buffer or ensuring adequate resources. Defragging the hard drive, closing programs, or restarting the computer can also help. Weak hardware may require purchasing better hardware.
A buffer underrun error, also known as a buffer underflow, is a type of error that occurs in the buffer system communicating between two processes or devices. With a buffer underrun, the buffer is empty and one device or process must stop while the other tries to push more data into the buffer. This error may not cause any problems other than slowing down your computer, or it may cause serious functional problems in processes such as burning compact discs (CDs). The underrun error is usually resolved by changing the size or speed of the buffer and ensuring that the computer has adequate resources.
In computers, a buffer acts as a chamber, or holding area, for memory. The buffer is usually found in random access memory (RAM) and allows the central processing unit (CPU) to manipulate the data before sending it to another device. One side of the buffer fills the camera while the other side gets data from the camera. This occurs most often in read and write processes, such as burning CDs.
The buffer underrun error occurs when the buffer becomes empty. This means that the device feeding the data has no data available to feed the buffer, and the device acquiring data cannot write any more data, because the buffer provides nothing to write. There are many reasons for this error, such as minor slowdowns that interrupt the flow of information, a fragmented hard drive, or using a computer with weak hardware or insufficient resources to run other processes.
The consequences of a buffer underrun can be minor or severe. With processes occurring inside the computer and without physical media, this usually just causes a slowdown that makes the user wait for the buffer to fill up. If you burn a disc, the disc may stop burning and lock up any data it has written to the disc before the underrun occurs. Poorly coded programs that can cause a buffer underflow can be exploited and hacked to ensure that your computer continually encounters the underflow error.
Fixing a buffer underrun is usually simple and can usually be done without buying anything new for your computer. Defragging your hard drive will reduce the chance of a buffer underflow, as will closing all programs to free up resources. Setting the buffer size higher or slowing down the write speed should fix this error. Restarting your computer should also be effective in freeing up resources and stopping this error. If the computer has weak hardware, such as low RAM, the user should purchase and install better hardware if other methods do not resolve the error.
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