Should I just turn the computer off?

I hear this question quite often. The answer is NO.

The number one step to solving Windows desktop problems is to reboot the system. Sometimes you will have an application lock up or suddenly you can't get on the Internet. Rebooting your system resets all the services and processes that run in the background and gives your computer a fresh start.

There is a right way, and a wrong way to rebooting your system. The worst thing you can do is to kill the power to your system either by holding in the power button, pulling the power cable, flipping the master power switch or turning off your power strip. Every time your system loses power without going through the proper shutdown procedure, it causes slight damage to the hard drive. Do this frequently, and the slight damage becomes a big problem and can even cause your hard drive to stop working.

If something is not quite working right, and you feel that you need to reboot your computer, try this first:

1. Click Start - Shutdown - Restart. This is the best way to reboot any Windows system. If you just want to turn the computer off, then click Start - Shutdown - Shutdown and the system should turn itself off.


2. Let's say your mouse stops working, you can still use your keyboard to initiate the reboot process. Press the Windows key on your keyboard (it looks like the Windows flag). Then you can use your arrow keys to navigate through the menus. Highlight Shutdown and press the Enter key. Use your arrows to highlight/select your shutdown or reboot option and press your Enter key. If you have a keyboard that doesn't have the Windows key, you can press the CTRL key and the ESC key at the same time to bring up the Start Menu. Another way to reboot using the keyboard is to press the CTRL, ALT and Delete keys at the same time. Use your arrow keys to highlight the Shutdown button and press Enter. Use your arrow keys again to choose Shutdown or Restart and press Enter.


3. If you mouse isn't working AND your keyboard is not responding, then we can try the power button. On some computers, depressing the power button will initiate the shutdown sequence in Windows. Give it a minute, though. Sometimes it will start the process but you will not notice anything. A good indicator that something is happening is the HDD light on the front of the computer will start blinking.


4. If steps 1, 2 and 3 are not working, then we will have to resort to turning off the system. The easiest and best way is to press and hold the power button in for about 5 seconds. You will hear the computer click as the power turns off and the monitor will go black. Wait ten to fifteen seconds before turning the computer back on. Turning your system on too soon can cause just as much, if not more, damage to your hard drive.

Windows does have to be restarted from time to time. Some more than others depending on the applications installed on the system. I'd say once a week should be normal. If you are having to reboot more often, then there could be something wrong with your system and it should be checked out by a qualified professional.

If you are looking for a place to start, give us a call at Networthy Systems. We'll be more than happy to help you out.

Thanks for reading.

Thomas Johnsen - CCNA, MCSE+Security, MCDST, A+, Net+, Security+

Lead Engineer - Networthy Systems - 6950 College Street Ste. G - Beaumont, Texas 77707 - (409) 861-4450 - http://www.networthysystems.com/