Recovering From a Computer Freeze

(Note on a network, or in a lab these steps may not be advisable. Check with the network administrator before trying.)

  1. Try any or all of the following.
  2. Tap the Esc key (in upper left corner of keyboard)
  3. Tap the Enter key a few times
  4. Try to change to another program.
  5. If all those fail, you need to use the task manager.tap and hold down in this order, the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys (known as the 3 finger salute), and release all 3 together. What you will see depends on your version of Windows.
    1. Vista
    2. XP
    3. 95-98

Vista

  1. Tap Ctrl+Shift+Esc, release all 3 together.
  2. Be sure the applications button is selected.
  3. Highlight offending program and click "End Task."
  4. Be patient! You may have to click End task again. Cancel Windows time consuming box telling you they are looking for a solution. They can't and won't find one.

 

 Task Manager Vista

 

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XP

  1. Tap and hold down in this order, the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys, and release all 3 together. The screen to the right appears.
  2. Be sure the applications tab is selected.
  3. Select the program that is creating the problem - will probably say "Not responding" in the status column.
  4. Click on End Task. Have patience. You may need to wait, and you may need to click End task again.
Task Manager Screen XP

 

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95-98

  1. Tap and hold down in this order, the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys, and release all 3 together. The screen to the right appears.
  2. Select the program that is creating the problem - will probably say "Not responding" in the status column.
  3. Click on End Task. Have patience. You may need to wait, and you may need to click End task again.
 Task Manager 95-98

 

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Created March 24, 2009

 

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