Using the power key to turn computers on and off can be a risky operation
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Bella Vista Computer Club has received several questions from computer users in the area and hopes you will find the answers to these questions helpful.
Q: Help ! My XP computer froze because of a malfunction. I have to turn off the computer and turn it back on. Is this dangerous, and what do I do ?
A: It is very risky to use the power button on the front of the computer to turn it off; the button should be used only as a last resort. Using the switch is like playing Russian roulette - you never know if your computer will start up again or simply die on the spot. Don't take a chance on losing your work or messing up your computer. If you still have control of the mouse, try this Hold the "Ctrl "and "Alt "keys down and tap the "Delete "key, then release all of the keys.
When Task Manage appears, click the "Processes "tab. Find any and all instances of "Explorer. exe "and close them all by rightclicking and choosing "End Process."
If you've done this successfully, your taskbar will disappear. Don't worry - that's what you want.
Now, while you're still in Task Manager, click "File, " "New Task "and type in "explorer. exe " (without the quotes ) and click the OK button.
Your taskbar should now reappear, and your computer that was frozen should now be ready to go.
If you lose control of the mouse: Press the Caps Lock key to see if you can turn the Caps Lock light on and off. If you can turn the light on and off, use the keys on the keyboard to navigate around the Task Manager to do the steps outlined above. You'll be using Tab, Alt, Delete, Enter, the four arrow keys and maybe some keyboard shortcut keys.
If you have Windows Vista and lose control of the mouse: To check if you have control of the keyboard, press the Caps Lock key to see if you can turn the Caps Lock light on and off. If you can turn the light on and off, you can use the keys on the keyboard to do a normal shutdown.
Press the Windows key to bring up the start menu. Press the right-arrow key three times to display a shortcut menu that contains the entry "Shut Down. "Shut Down should be highlighted; if it is not, use the arrow keys to highlight. Press the Enter key.
Q: What is the difference between viruses and spyware ?
A: Viruses are traditionally fragments of code that insert into files and applications, usually with the intention of proliferating to other files and causing data loss. Spyware constitutes small programs that are stealthily installed on your PC and used to transmit information about you or your computing activities to a third party via the Internet.
A virus may work itself into hundreds of files on your system and delete them all, or a virus may enter your system through a malicious Web site. By comparison, spyware can lurk undetected on your PC, transmitting your keystrokes and Web-browsing habits back to a hacker, who can use the information to learn your usernames, passwords and other personal details that can later be used to steal your identity. Be sure to use good antivirus and spyware programs.
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The Bella Vista Computer Club welcomes questions about computer security, free downloads, operating problems and general computer use. Questions may be sent by e-mail to jrc @ bvcc. arcoxmail. com or via regular mail to Don Hood, 37 Oniell Circle, Bella Vista, AR 72715.
All questions must include the person's name, address and telephone number. Name and address will not be included in published re-
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