Mr. Modem: These techniques will thaw a frozen computer
Every now and then my computer freezes as solidly as a Bemidji lake in February. Is there any technique I can use to get things moving again when that happens?
If your computer freezes solid, after you’ve completed an adrenaline-induced frenzy of mouse-clicks and keyboard pounding that results in nothing but increasingly annoying beeps, try these CCC (cool, calm and collected) techniques, in the following order, to resolve the problem:
CCC Technique 1: Press the ESC key twice. This rarely works, but what the heck, give it a try. If nothing else, it will make you feel like you’re doing something proactively.
CCC Technique 2: Press CTRL + ALT + DEL simultaneously. If the computer gods are smiling upon you, Windows Task Manager will advise you that you have an “unresponsive application” — as if you didn’t already know it. The Task Manager will list the names of all currently running programs, including the one that’s not responding.
Click the name of the program that’s causing all the grief and aggravation, then click the End Process button. You will lose unsaved work, but everything was frozen anyway, so it had no chance of surviving to begin with. I feel your pain.
If that doesn’t do the trick, try clicking the Task Manager’s Shut Down menu (on the toolbar, depending on the version of Windows you are using) and choosing Restart.
Your computer should shut down and restart, hopefully returning with a much better attitude and spirit of cooperation.
CCC Technique 3: If Techniques 1 and 2 are not successful, press your computer’s Reset or Restart button, if you have one. If and when the “Turn Off Computer” dialog box appears, choose Restart.
CCC Technique 4: If Techniques 1, 2, and 3 fail, avoid reaching for the Xanax. It’s time to lay down the law and show your computer who’s boss. It’s a drastic step, but at this point, shut off the computer’s main power switch, which is sometimes located on the back of the computer.
No, it is not the recommended way of shutting down, but when all else fails, there comes a time when you just have to pull the plug. Once the power is cut from the computer, wait 30 seconds, then power up in the usual manner.
If none of the above methods are successful, and your computer still refuses to budge, then it’s time to seek the assistance of a reputable computer repair person or service.
Mr. Modem publishes “Ask Mr. Modem!” each week, featuring PC tips, tricks and plain-English answers to your questions by email. For more information, visit www.MrModem.com.
Mr. Modem’s sites of the week
Pica Pic
Created by Hipopotam, this site features a digitalized collection of handheld games. These games triggered a wave of nostalgia for me. I can still remember playing my Little Mermaid game on the school bus and almost being beaten to death. Good times, indeed. Use the menu at the bottom to select a game and use the arrows at the left and right of the screen to scroll back and forth. A down arrow shows which game is currently selected. When you view a game it will display the publisher of the title, where it was made, its model number and the year it was made. If you mouse over the game, a Play button appears. If you want to play that game, click it to begin. (Duh!) This will enlarge the game and display the controls. The games feature the same sounds as if you were playing the handheld version.
The WebTender
Name your favorite cocktail and I’ll bet you a boilermaker that you’ll find it here. The WebTender offers guidance on making drinks, suggestions for special occasions, techniques, terminology, and a database of cocktails searchable by name, ingredient and occasion. Cheers.
This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Mr. Modem: These techniques will thaw a frozen computer."