As a working technology teacher, I get hundreds of questions from parents about their home computers, how to do stuff, how to solve problems. Each Tuesday, I’ll share one of those with you. They’re always brief and always focused. Enjoy!
Q: I’m writing a very (very) important paper and all of a sudden, the screen froze. I can’t save it, or anything else. What do I do?
A: Programs do freeze for no reason sometimes, but not often (I’m assuming you take care of your computer–don’t download with abandon, update it occasionally). Before you declare a dog-ate-my-homework sort of catastrophe, try this:
- Check your desktop for an open dialogue box and close it. You might have to answer its question first.
- Push escape four times. You might have inadvertently got yourself into something you don’t even know you’re in. Escape often lives up to its name.
- Click your program on the taskbar. You might have gotten out of it by accident.
90% of the time, your computer is back to normal. If you’re one of the ten percenters, I hope you saved.
Questions you want answered? Leave a comment here and I’ll answer it within the next thirty days.
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
That’s good advice. I’ve done the hidden open dialogue box mistake many times.
You have lots of company! It’s a popular mistake.
Great tip, Jacqui. There’s usually a reason.
Rarely is it that the computer broke. I have about 25 problems that students become comfortable solving by 5th grade. They feel empowered!
We should all be your students, Jacqui. 🙂