Perhaps the most basic computer troubleshooting principle, I find it generally under-used. My guess is there is no understanding of why or how the principle works. So here goes:

Those avid readers who have followed my articles will know that the data stored in the primary memory, where data used by running programs is temporarily stored (RAM), will not survive a “restart” (the process of shutting down all programs and reload the operating system into memory). In other words, it’s a way of resetting all information accumulated in memory, including errors normally accumulated when running programs.

An educated estimate would place the probabilities of a restart resolving whatever odd behavior your computer is exhibiting at 50%. So before you go trying to troubleshoot the problem, before you call your computer guy, before you do anything else, when running into unexpected erratic behavior with your computer… restart!

One last thing. There are two different levels of restarting in Windows. One is to actually select the “restart” button. That will restart the computer without completely shutting it off. The other one, more thorough, consists of selecting “shutdown” wait until the power is completely off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning the computer back on. Without getting into the technicalities of why, if you use the latter method it’s a more thorough reset, and it is therefore more effective.

And I guess I lied, THIS is the last thing: When your computer “freezes” (is unresponsive to mouse or keyboard commands) a forced shutdown is in order. Some computers have a “reset” button that will force a restart. Try that first if your computer has it. If it doesn’t have it or does nothing when you press it, press the power button and KEEP IT PRESSED for about 5 seconds. No matter how frozen or unresponsive, that will force a computer to shut off. Beware: that is only to be used if the computer is otherwise unresponsive, because shutting it down that way will not go through the proper shutdown procedure, and all unsaved information will be lost, and every now and then there is a chance of file corruption. But if the computer is frozen it’s the lesser of two evils.