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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, tap and hold down in this order, the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys, and release all 3 together. Depending on your version of Windows you will get one of the screens seen below.
    Screen that shows when one executes ctl+Alt+Delete WIndows Task Manager dialog box
  6. The frozen program will be at the top, click on End Task.
  7. If that does not work, repeat step 5 & 6
  8. If that still does not work, repeat step 5 & 6, but this time click on “Shut Down.”
  9. If after all this the computer has not rebooted you will need to turn it off, wait 15 seconds, then turn it back on again.

Last Updated: March 18, 2003

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