My computer is frozen, can't shut down or restart?

Question

My computer won't shut down. Have tried everything, ending task, control alt delete etc. nothing works. Have resorted to switching off the power button. However, when I switch it on again it is still frozen. The mouse moves around but when I click on anything it nothing happens. What can I do. Please tell me I haven't lost everything.

Answer 1

Did you do an actual shutdown, or did you do a standby/hibernate?

When you are doing a manual shutdown, you have to hold down the power button until the machine turns off. When you turn it back on, it should go through the boot sequence again.

Did it boot up and get frozen automatically?

Answer 2

I dont think you lost anything, but your OS (windows) is really sick. Since you cant really do anything, you need an alternative way to boot your computer. So - with your system turned on, push the eject button on your CD drive and put in your original windows CD (please tell me you havent lost it - sorry couldnt resist). Close the CD door and hold the power button in until the PC turns off. Wait 30 seconds and turn it back on. Watch the screen. If you see something like "press any key to boot from CD" then push a key on your keyboard (any key). You will see a bunch of stuff happen until you get to a point asking you if you want to reinstall windows. Say yes, but do NOT format your disk.

You WILL have to reload all of your applications from their install CD by doing this, but your data files will still be there. hey, what do you have as an alternate at this point other than taking it in to a pro for about $150?

You should also IMMEDIATELY do a windows update, and install an antivirus. I prefer Avast at http://www.avast.com as its free for home use. Scan your drive BEFORE you start opening files or you may have to do the whole thing over again.

Answer 3

Switch it off for at least 20 seconds, longer is better. If you have it on standby mode, you'll have to unplug it from the socket, and wait for the capacitors to drain, so there is no electric current left in it. Then plug it back in and turn it on.

If you have a UPS or battery back up, shut that off or take the batteries out. Wait at least 20 seconds. Then try powering up.

If that still does not work, you may have a hard drive problem or something messing up your OS (operating system).

Answer 4

Wow. Did you recently add any new hardware? If you did, remove each new divice one at a time and then try restarting your computer. If that doesn't work Reset the CMOS clock on your motherboard, see your motherboards manual on how to do this. Reformat you hard drive and re-install your OS "AS A FINAL SOLUTION."

Lots of Luck

Answer 5

There must be some program in your active program list that causing the problem. Go to task manager if it works and try ending any fishy applications. Remove all applications from ur startup using Start->Run -> Type and enter "msconfig"

Answer 6

CCleaner is basically a dedicated cleaner which cleans the unwanted files in your computer...for eg. when you download or open any file or site, at many places it is registered in your computer that is not needed by the computer to work.....its a wonderful software that frees unwanted space...
Norton is basically a dedicated anti-virus.....
I sugess to still install CCleaner

You can find a free download of ccleaner here http://bit.ly/1sJimp9

Answer 7

pull out the power cord and plug it back int...

if the mouse moves it isnt frozen though, perhaps you have a program running in the background that takes up alot of memory

Answer 8

If your computer is not working properly while you are working on it, it could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software.
Detailed instructions at http://tinyurl.com/yk5zpr

Answer 9

unplug your computer from behind your computer or just disconnect all power cables...then restart and check if it same ...guess just format i dont have much advise since i never or ever seen anyone with this type of problem

Answer 10

U lost Everything.

I'm Serious