I thought my computer was a gonner!

17 years ago

My computer froze up last night and when I turned the computer off and back on I got the black screen with what I'd call "mumbo jumbo" on it. I do remember it had two choices of hitting F2 and F12 I think. I tried those and nothing happened.

Much to my surprise, when I turned it on this morning my desktop was back up and all is well. I was so pleased as I need to use my computer today after work!

With this bit of info any idea what happened and how likely it is to happen again? I was just surfing the web as I'd done off and on all day, no downloading.

I do think I am having a problem with MS Word 2003 as it has been acting odd at times. Are there updates to that I should get? I also have not installed SP 3, maybe it's time?

Thanks as always!!

Ginny

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Comments (4)

owbist
17 years ago
Perhaps it is time to think the worst but certainly hope for the best.

I would be sure to back up all my data I would not want to lose like the address book, favourites/bookmarks and any personal data you have created. Once that is done it is safe.

How old is the computer?
When was the last time it had the dust cleaned out from inside the case if it is over 2 years old?
When did you last run something like Cleaner to remove all the temp files, cookies and a whole load of other non needed items?

If XP you might click Start/Control panel/Administrative tools/Event viewer. In the Event viewer click System on the left side, now scroll down the right side looking for red errors. Double click on any you find for a technical explanation. There will also be a link there, you can click that and hopefully a solution will be provided with a step by step howto.

Regarding MS Word 2003 you can visit the MS update site for any updates needed
ginjj
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi,
Worked today so just looking at this now. I ran CCleaner and I'd say it found quite a bit to remove!

My computer is 5 years old. The dust must have been removed when I took it into my tech guy within the past 6 months.

I have Carbonite,an online backup program. I am not great about doing my own even though I have Acronis! I will try to do my own before leaving for a trip in a day and half. I know it's important!!

I went to the Event Viewer and saw probably 20 red items. Even if I could figure it out, I don't know that I have the time to figure out 20. I did go to one and was immediately perplexed.

I goggled one of the messages and came across a long link started by me to you guys in April. Not that you want to look at it but it was dated 4/7/09 "new thread to try to solve computer problem please." I guess I got rid of the big problem I was having although I'd say I still have issues now and then.

When I have to buy a new computer I've decided it is going to be a Mac. Being over 60 it's just not that easy to try and figure this guy out all the time - I never do really, do I? I am told Macs are much easier to use and have far fewer issues.

I haven't checked the MS Word site but I will. Unfortunately a Word document I just opened seems to have frozen - not this again! I wanted to get back to you before I played with it for fear of having a frozen computer again.

Thanks much!!
Ginny
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
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If you have not been doing your windows updates for your office suite then you will likely have many to catch up on, they are just as important as doing your regular windows updates, they are often to correct security issues with in the office suite.
owbist
17 years ago
OK so the computer is relatively dust free. Apart from any fan problem we can eliminate heat as any cause.

Regarding those red error messages in the Event Viewer just take them one at a time and ignore all the others. Some may be repeats. As I noted above, you can double click on an error message to bring up a more descriptive message plus a link. Try the link and see what it tells you. Bring any error message here if you cannot understand it and someone will help out. Even if that means after your vacation.

Regarding buying the Mac, well who knows? A young woman like yourself........... Personally I found the Mac difficult but I do suspect that was more of an unwillingness to seriously try getting used to only one mouse button and the entirely different view on the screen ;~)

I thought my computer was a gonner!

Comments (4)

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ginjj
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I thought my computer was a gonner!

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