PC
Symptom |
Cause |
Fix |
|
Popup dialog boxes:
This program has performed an illegal operation
and will be shutdown.
|
A
Windows application (program) caused a programming error. |
Close the dialog box. If the application continues to run,
terminate the application using the Windows "Task Manager" |
| Blue
Screens |
A
Windows component or device driver caused a programming error.
This is usually due to a software bug in either the Microsoft Windows
software or a piece of software you may have recently installed or upgraded. |
If this happens while starting up you PC, try restarting it
in "Safe Mode". If this happened during normal WIndows operation, you may
have to do a hard shutdown (hold down the power button for 10 seconds, and
the PC should shut off) and then restart you PC normally. |
| Black
screens |
A
screen saver caused a program error, or Windows got stuck in DOS mode |
Restart your PC and disable your screen saver. |
System
Freezes
Mouse may or may not move
Ctrl+Alt+Del does not do anything |
Windows
caused a programming error.
This is usually due to a software bug in either the Microsoft Windows
software or a piece of software you may have recently installed or upgraded. |
|
Performance
Problems
Mouse moves erratically,
Programs respond erratically,
Menus take long to display,
Hard disk light may flash a lot |
Many causes are possible:
A. A
program or Windows is looping.
B.
Too many programs running together.
C.
High hard disk access:
C1. excessive paging due to insufficient RAM memory or
C2. anti-virus scanner or
C3. malware
D.
A program or Windows is waiting for something.
E. A program that is stuck
- |
A. Check under "Task manager" under
"Performance" for high CPU utilization, then use the "Processes" tab to find
the hogger.
B. Reduce the number of open programs
by closing unneeded applications.
C1. Check in the Windows "Task
manager" window under "Performance" whether your Page File (PF) usage is
greater than your available RAM, if so buy more RAM memory.
C2. Check that your anti-virus scanner is not scanning your hard
disk(s) - McAfee or Norton
C3. Check if you are not running malware Spyware or a virus that is
accessing your hard disk a lot, by running a full anti-virus scan on your
hard drives.
D. Check for any program waiting for a
CD to be inserted, or a dialog box to be replied to.
E. Check in Windows "Task Manager" for
any program name that is identified with "(Not Responding)" and terminate
it. |
Parts
of screen are missing
All or some programs do not respond |
Windows
is running out of memory, or
a program is not getting CPU access, |
Check in the Windows "Task manager" window under
"Performance" whether your Page File (PF) usage is greater than your
available RAM, if so buy more RAM memory. |
Audio
rattling
when typing at keyboard or moving mouse |
Windows
input buffers are full,
but no program is able to run. |
Check in Windows "Task Manager" for any program name that is
identified with "(Not Responding)" and terminate it.
Check under "Task manager" under "Performance" for high CPU utilization,
then use the "Processes" tab to find the hogger and terminate the process. |
Boot
up shuts down
with or without message
"It's now safe to turn off your computer." |
Windows
startup could not complete. |
Try booting up in "Safe Mode" by continually pressing the F8
key as soon as you have pressed the power on button on your PC. A display
should be rpesented with an option labeled "Safe Mode". Use the cursor
up-down keys to select that option and then press trhe "Enter" key to boot
into "Safe Mode" |
