Fatal Error Darlink
Computers are pretty much part of our lives now but I remember the horror of the first Win 95 window pop up and seeing FATAL ERROR.
...I totally freaked and was ready to take the computer back to the department store for a refund…before a friend gently and laughingly explained what was going on…....but I never got over that “in your face” feeling of Fatal Error and Fatal Exception.
..I mean why Fatal ….., that’s so fatal, why not some cute character like me popping up saying, “Don’t Stress Darlink, but we have to close for a bit”
And what about “Illegal Operation”...I swear the first time it happened I thought the stormtroopers were going to break down the front door!
I really think Bill and his team could have put a little more thought into the trauma windows 95 could cause before inflicting it on the public.

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Image copyright © 2008 Shanina Conway.
Copying and displaying or redistribution of this image without permission from the artist is strictly prohibited
Fatal Error Darlink belongs to the following groups:
Parallel Dimensions and The Art of 3D Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

David Meacham
Yes the three phrases could have been replaced by:-
1 Have a drink while I shake myself for a bit
2 Programming cock up – our fault
3 You can’t do that because it didn’t occur to us during the planning stages
Shanina Conway replied
Glad you feel the same way Meach..I like the have a drink..why couldn’t they have done that..maybe cause for a lawsuit for all the trauma we suffered lol!
coppertrees
You are such a kick. I laughted at this for some time and related to it all the way. This is wonderfully delightful. Love your humor.
Shanina Conway replied
lol! I’m still laughing at her and glad you got a kick out of her;)
, she was going to be a witch but the more I worked on the face the more she started taking on this character, especially after I added the glasses;)
David Roman
Damn your sure your not from another planet Ms S!!
You should be illegal !
Shanina Conway replied
Hope she made you smile David;)
midzing
brilliant
Philosophy Lee
My smile thanks you :)
Shanina Conway replied
Thank you, that’s a lovely compliment;)
AARDVARK
Throw out your Windoze box and get an Apple!
Nice photo.
David Roman
Oh nervously my friend with great wonder of what’s on the floor with her!LOL
Shanina Conway replied
lol!...;)
Tom Godfrey
Clever gal -really cool
Antanas
Great idea, perfectly done
claudiu
Uaaau, this is scary! Great idea!
RhondaR
Made me laugh. You are so creative.
Shanina Conway replied
Glad you like it darlink;)
Nala
Wow how good . . . i like it and how real it feels that someone is reaching out very very good
Helene Kippert
Thanks for the laugh shanina – she’s a real character :o)
Shanina Conway replied
Hey Helene, thanks and I’ve fallen in love with her..hope I can replicate her;)
Karin Taylor
that’s very true Shanina!! i know the feeling of dread when confronted with ‘illegal error… or fatal something or other’......terrifying ….. this is great, what a concept hey…to have someone friendly pop in to let us know that it’’s okay, and it’ll all be sorted…just need to shut down for a while :)
coool image Shanina…great thoughts!
Shanina Conway replied
lol! Glad I’m not the only one Karin to get parnoid with the illegal operation and fatals;)
Mel Brackstone
Good grief, I’d almost totally forgotten about fatal errors! Thanks for the memories, Shanina, and to do it with such class!!!!!
Shanina Conway replied
I was thinking it’s over 10 years since my first computer and how XP Pro is so stable compared with Win95…darlink is so classy, why didn’t Bill think of that;)
Dawnsky2
hehe,, cool image,,
i am so glad my hubby knows what he is doing when it comes to computers!!
I dont have a clue how they run…
Shanina Conway replied
You are so lucky! I came home $6k lighter with a few boxes, spent hours trying to work out what went where lol!...how fast time flys, now for $6k I’d get a super computer;)
hfrymark
LOL that’s so true, now with Vista the program asks yes or no, which I now find myself questioning my motives, should I, shouldn’t I.
Blah
Shanina Conway replied
lol! gets a bit that way doesn’t it,I’ve heard scary things about Vista so I’m sticking with XP Pro;)
CanDuCreations
Unique and splendid work
reflector
I like your story about the evolution of PC’s – it’s scary to think you are losing access to information ! I really like the concept in this art and the ladies pose and expression.
Seth Weaver
Ah! The nightmare of PCs with further enhancements and endless upgrades by MicroSoft. I’m a MAC person we have a few little problems but not as many as you guys do. What an interesting poster girl for “fatal errors” like a really bad blind date where you wish you were “blind.”
Shanina Conway replied
She’s a darlink Seth;)
Racheli
Fantastique imagery Shanina! very creative, let say that prominent figure” is much fatality then the “fatal error” itself…....lol
Very creatively!
Shanina Conway replied
Thanks Racheli…she is a little on the fatal side but I love her;)
Robin Pushe'e
wow Shanina, I think I’d rather see “fatal Error” than this lady popping out at me LOL.. Very scary. Well done as usaul
cynthiab
awesome creative work
clarkey
Wow, awesome work. I know how you felt, but, at least I had my computer whiz son still living at home at the time – inconsiderate child left home and got married! Love your tale, too!
Shanina Conway replied
Hey thanks clarkey….what an inconsiderate child leaving you like that lol!
redsirens
Talk about hands on! ;-)
very cool idea!
Shanina Conway replied
Thanks Siren, it would have been so much nicer, well better than Fatal Error popping up lol!
Von McKnelly
This flights FINAL DESTINATION will be at TERMINAL B gate 13. It’s all in the wording….
Now to your very creative working overtime mind…...outstanding in your own field.
Go stand in a field I’ll get a shot for proof.
Shanina Conway replied
FINAL DESTINATION will be at TERMINAL B gate 13
.lol!..she’s a bit that way, might send Darlink to work as an air hostess since she’s lost her job as the Fatal Error girl ;)
Antoine Dagobert
another awesome image my friend!
Mark Peterson
Outstanding!
Leana
lol
Excellent !
cdwork
This is superb must have a poster for my office wall- Superb work again
clickychick
LOL this is brilliant!!!
douglasandrews
Fantastic!!!
SirenSong
Very cool Shanina…Very cool…And I know what you mean…Freaks me out as well
Midori Furze
Coooooool, Shanina!!
Love the eyebrows!!
: )))
Karen Cougan
what a classic,
you are so clever
xkc
flower68
haha.Yes I much prefer the “don’t stress darlink” option.Fantastic work.She’s great :-D
justimagine
Brilliant
Van Cordle
Shanina This is sooo awesome and excellent!! Perfect title and great description!! You are soo talented and creative!!!
Peter Zentjens
Excellent illustration, and great story to go with it. You truly made me smile. :^)
Shanina Conway replied
Thank you Peter, that’s the best compliment;)
eon .
I do so enjoy the way you think and create ( ’ – ))
Noel Elliot
Love it
Shanina Conway replied
Thanks Noel, she’s quite an character;)
Tollwut
Hehe, GREAT!
Gregoryno6
If Win 95 conjures up extras from Rocky Horror like this it’s no wonder that Linux has been so popular.
Shanina Conway replied
The good old days …rather bad old days of win95, I almost went to Linux ;)
billyboy
Shanina, how on EARTH did I not see this? Why didn’t you tell me?? I actually had this experience the other night, but her nails weren’t as sharp as these… thank God!
Great work, you’ve SO nailed this!!
Shanina Conway replied
lol! her nails weren’t as sharp…what have you been up to BB…no don’t tell me;)
Lois Bryan
Hilarious image and I oh-sooo-loved your commentary!!! Well done!!! This is art and fun!!!!! Fabulous!!!! A Favorite for sure … ps .. get a Mac!!! LOL … I “went over” in June of last year … and have never looked back!!!!!
shawhouse
great stuff. very impressed with your work.
Shanina Conway replied
Thank you Phil, I really appreciate it;)
Danilo Lejardi
OMG. I almost miss this. This is brilliant. Would like to see more of this same style.
Shanina Conway replied
Hi Danilo, thank you and I love this wonderful character too and will be using her in more works;)
MaiaRamish
so so brilliant
Per E. Gunnarsen
Brilliant idea and excellent work Shanina. Remember the error era….brrrrrr ;)
Devalyn Marshall
This is a gorgeous creation! FAV
Carole Boudreau
So intelligent and clever! Bravo!
Lol how can I not forget those horrific times of “fatal error” it almost made me have a hart attack every time it happened …
Shanina Conway replied
lol! Me too…and illegal operation… used to have me saying to myslef…but I didn’t touch anything!
Glad you liked this one Carole;)
navybrat
BRILLIANT!
jacqi
This is wonderful and brings back memories of being new to computers. Now I just swear back at them. Thanks Darlink!
DarwinsMishap
Holy Hell-I just snorted my coffee…again!
Brilliant work, and I adore this-My new fav, I bah-lieve. XD Great concept and execution on this!
Shanina Conway replied
lol! that’s funny…hope you didn’t burn yourself….. Thanks DM;)
linaji
She is so very very funny and you have created a character that I think is very very sell able!!
Zuzana
What a brilliant idea and this is so well executed. I love this Shanina! Your talent shocks me.
Danielle Knight
Oh this is fantastic… love the title and your story. lol big time. Well done
Phineous Cas...
hear hear for the words dam i thought i was the only one that tripped on that shit lol
or and amazinc image
Shanina Conway replied
lol! I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the only one too;)
BLYTHART
“Fatal” and “Illegal” are rather emotive aren’t they. It’s like saying, “Now then, relax and don’t panic, but you have three seconds to live!”
Euan Thorburn
you SO clever!!!!!!!
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redqueenself
I thought Fatal Error and I were best friends I saw it so often.
Shanina Conway replied
lol! glad I wasn’t the only one;)
hugo
I don’t know how I missed this one, saw it in the calender, it’s fantastic!!
linskudd
Excellent work and I had to smile – Fatal error indeed!!! ;o)
sweetscent62
LOL I love it Darlink!! : ) Well done!!! Wen xoxoxox
mistertrooth
AWESOME … very funny and thought provoking Shanina – wunna your best x
mistertrooth
Like your new profile foto too…..
Cheryl Dunning
wow..brilliant!!!
intensual
OMG this is excellent.. I used to hate the dreaded blue screen.. Bet you could conjure up brilliance with that also very cool ..
María González
so witty!!! love this.
shanghaiwu
I saw this image seems so long ago and surprised that I did not comment then…....it is BRILLIANT