Computers make our life easy. They also tend to make our life difficult when they start behaving erratically. One of the worst computer problems is the sudden freezing in the middle of important work. Computers freeze for different reasons, often making it difficult to figure out the main reason. However, recovering from the ‘freeze’ situation is no very difficult. Computer repair does not always need a technician. You can be a computer doctor, at least for minor ‘illnesses’. Let’s look at what you should do when the computer freezes.

Figure out if the computer has really frozen
Some processing delays may make you feel that the computer is not responding while it may actually be a bit slow.
- Take a couple of minutes before taking any action.
- Check if the computer recognizes your keystrokes. Press the Caps Lock or Num Lock key and see if the corresponding light is on.

Warm-boot the computer if the keystrokes are being recognized
- Use the CTRL + ALT + DEL key combination to either bring a list of actions (Shut Down, Restart, Lock, Task Manager) or open the task manager.
- Select and close the applications marked ‘Not Responding’. Remember that you will lose any unsaved data in the applications you are closing.
- If the freeze was triggered by an application, closing it through the task manager will help you get rid of the situation.

Cold-boot the computer if the keyboard is not active
- Switch off the computer after you have waited a while. This will result in the loss of any unsaved data you may have on the computer.
- Count till ten and switch on the computer again.

All the instructions mentioned in this post are for a Windows-based system.