Frozen, Locked-Up, Non-Responsive, or Malfunctioning Computers and Devices
Overview
What to do when a computer or device stops responding normally, i.e. locks-up, throws error messages, or randomly malfunctions.
• DO NOT use this procedure if you suspect malware or computer viruses may be the cause of the lockups or error messages – it may cause complete system encryption and/or corruption.
• WILL NOT work on some laptop computers or any device where the main power cannot be removed. Internal backup batteries or power supplies may cause this procedure to complete with net-zero results.
• If you are currently working on a document or project that is not saved, this process may cause some, or complete loss, of that unsaved document or project.
• If your computer or device continues to lock-up or malfunction after performing the following procedure, there may be software or hardware damage that will have to be fixed before continuing.
• No guarantees or warranties implied or otherwise stated.
• Use this procedure at your own risk.
• For use on: computers, laptops, and many other devices utilizing removable electric power, i.e., power cord-to-wall outlet or removable batteries.
• This procedure will clear all of the computer memory and cache data as well as reset all chips to their zero-state.
• You must back up anything and everything you are currently working on before proceeding, if you can. You will lose anything currently not saved in active memory (or what's being displayed on the screen).
• This procedure has also been known to fix locked-up/non-responsive USB ports (and many other kinds of ports) on any type of computer or device utilizing electric power.
Details
Cold Restart
Locate the main power for the device: an AC power cord and/or adapter plugged into a wall outlet, a main battery located inside the device, or an array of batteries inside or attached to the device. The power supply(s) will normally have a main cord connecting it to the device; there may also be a "hard switch" on the device that does the same thing.
Beware of "soft switches" that rely on instruction sets to perform a task. "Soft switches" will never turn off a device completely; it leaves a trickle-voltage (usually 5 volts) to detect a button press that initializes the system.
Once you have located the main power feed to the device, carefully remove it. If it is a computer plugged into the wall, unplug it. If it is a battery inside a laptop, remove it. The idea is to remove ALL power from the device.
At this point is is very important to be patient and wait.. and wait.. and wait. At least a full minute (60 seconds) must pass before re-applying the power to the unit. Pressing the "soft switch" on a computer while the power is removed will discharge the unit quicker and more completely. You may wait additional time if you suspect that the electricity is discharging very slowly. Once the computer or device is discharged of all electricity, proceed to the next step.
Power up the device following all manufacture's instructions for proper device start up or initialization.
Note: If your computer or device fails to power up, continues to lock-up and/or malfunction after performing the outlined procedure above, there may be software or hardware damage that will have to be fixed before continuing.