By Peter Daley
If your computer locks up what should you do? (A computer lock up is when nothing seems to be responding.)
If you turn your Windows computer off like a TV set, with the power switch, you can damage it! This is was most people do when they get a lock up. You should always try a warm boot. I know some of you would like to give it angry boot sometimes 
This does not mean give the computer a boot! It means to restart the computer using the techniques 1 to 4 below. This gives the computer a chance to restart without powering off. This is much easier on the computer.
1. Hold down the Alt and Ctrl keyboard keys at the same time, and then briefly press the Delete key.
A ‘Windows Task Manager’ will pop up, under the “Applications” tab it will list all the programs that are active, plus indicate which program is causing the problem, by a statement beside the program stating that this program is ‘not responding. Note:In Windows Vista you will need to click on the Task Manager Item in the Window that appears after clicking Alt /Ctrl /Del.
2. Highlight the offending program by left mouse clicking it, and then click the ‘End Task’ button.
You may have to repeat procedures 1 & 2 three or four times before you can actually shut down the offending program causing the lock up. When the offending program does shut down it will usually free the system of its confusion and it should return to normal operation.
3. If this does not fix the problem, click the “Shut down” menu item in the pop up ‘Windows Task Manager’, opened by procedure 1 above.
4. If all of this fails, push the reset button, (a small push button near the computer power switch), on the front of your computer tower. On a laptop hold down the power button for a few seconds until it powers off.
If your computer does not have a reset button you have to turn the computer off using the power switch on the computer or laptop by holding it down for a few seconds. Only do this as a last resort!
If you turn the computer completely off, wait at least 30 to 60 seconds before turning it back on!
Only turn it off at the wall switch while the computer running, if all the above procedures fail.
© Peter Daley 2009