Computer Problems. [Solved]

[Margarita Skies]

Ok, let me explain...


Like fifteen minutes ago, my computer was on sleep and when I opened the lid and got it working again, the only thing that showed was the desktop background. I tried to activate the Task Manager by pressing CTRL, ALT, DELETE and it wouldn't do anything. I had to turn it off by pressing the power button and not letting it go until the screen went blank. Then, I turned it back on and got the "Windows did not shut down successfully" message complete with the Safe Mode, Safe Mode with networking and Safe Mode with Command Prompt as starting options. I chose Safe Mode because I didn't know what else to do and got into my Windows user account. From there, I did a system restore and it completed successfully. I looked this problem up online from another computer a few minutes before I did anything on this one and they were talking about this happening because the Windows Explorer is not working at the moment. I would like to know if you guys have any idea as to why this happens and what I could do to correct it. The sites that I went to talked about possibly reinstalling the operating system or something to do with the hard drive itself. I have also read in numerous places that turning the computer off without shutting it down damages or corrupts the hard drive somehow. I know it was wrong but with the Windows Explorer not working, I repeat, I didn't know what else to do.


Any insight?


The specs are as follows:

Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
Processor: AMD Sempron Processor SI-42
3 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive.
Computer name: Toshiba Satellite L305D-S5974


Any help or suggestion will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Magali.

[alleycat]

Most operating systems want a soft shutdown; however, computers are a little better these days about being shut down the hard way (it's going to happen from time-to-time anyway if for no other reason than the electricity going off if it's a desktop).

I would just wait and see if anything acts "wonky" (that's an advanced technical term ;-). Some times when something like this happens, I will bring the computer back up, and then shut it down again the normal way, then bring it back up again.

In the future, I would keep trying to get Task Manager up. Give it at least a minute or two before giving up.

[Maryn]

I agree with the cat. It's not unusual for a computer to hang up on shut-down, forcing a use-the-button shut down which then freaks it out on start-up. Most of the time, in my experience, it's a quirk with no identifiable cause and it doesn't affect computer performance.

I'm not using Vista, but I know that when I first open my browser, often there's quite a lag during which I can't do anything, online or off, while a whole lot of stuff is starting because I launched the browser. Ctrl-Alt-Delete does take me to Task Manager, where I can shut down the browser, which it says is not responding, but 90% of the time, within two or three minutes it self-resolves without me doing anything at all, and there are no further problems.

FWIW, limiting what programs automatically start when you launch your browser helps. For me, getting rid of instant messaging and chat programs on start-up helped a lot. (I can open it once the browser's going, no problem.)

There's nothing in the symptoms you've described that makes me think you need to do anything as drastic and time-consuming as reformatting your hard drive or re-installing your operating system. Those are last-ditch cures for a computer infested with viruses or other malware which its own security measures cannot stop.

You'd be wise to make sure your antivirus and other security* is up to date, and run it sometime when you can handle the computer slow-down it may cause, and as always, to be sure your important documents, photos, etc. are backed up on CD, online, or somewhere else that isn't your computer.

The odds are your computer is just fine, though.

Maryn, who's been through the mill with this one and learned a lot

*No matter what security you operate, I highly recommend dancing the SecurityTango (http://securitytango.com/), which is slow but quite effective--and all free

[Williebee]

Thirding what the cat said.

The event you described could have been caused by something as simple as a browser hang, a browser open with a series of processes running in it when the machine went to sleep.

Good luck!

[Margarita Skies]

Thank you for your advice. It helped a lot and made me worry less. I've had this computer since Jan. 3, 2010 and in all that time, this is only the second time it has happened, nothing on the screen but the wallpaper...anyway, I will keep on the lookout for other suggestions. I was just worried that turning off the computer the hard way would cause damage to my hard drive, but from now on I will do everything I can to keep from having to do that again.


Sincerely
Magali

[kuwisdelu]

Try waiting a little longer next time. Maybe it'll be okay, maybe it won't.

The reason this happens is when some process clogs up your main thread. That is to say, when some program starts driving wayyy under the speed limit and causes a traffic jam on the main "road" your computer's traveling. Smart programs are supposed to take side-streets when they think they might need more time to get somewhere, so the main road doesn't get jammed like that, but alas, not all programs are that smart and sometimes it's easier for them to just keep going straight than looking for a detour. Waiting for the traffic to get going again may work. And sometimes you get a ten-car pile-up.