Computers sometimes temporarily 'lock up', or 'hang' -- a condition in which they stop responding to input from the keyboard and pointing devices. They may also stop functioning entirely until restarted. This condition is not harmful to the computer, but it will be unusable until it's restarted.

Once a computer locks up, it's no longer possible to save open documents and other data files. Inevitably, any changes made to documents and other data files since they were last saved will be lost. In the case of files that were saved soon before a lock-up occurs, little or no data may be lost.

Save documents and other files frequently to minimize the risk of losing data in the case of computer lock-ups.

There are many possible software-related and hardware-related causes for this temporary 'locked-up' condition. Very often it is the result of a conflict between applications or between device drivers for added-on peripheral devices. Sometimes an obvious pattern will present itself, and make it possible to eliminate the problem. The pattern may involve certain combinations of applications, for example, or even the order in which they are started. 

If a new pattern of frequent lock-ups occurs, consider using the Windows System Restore feature to restore the computer's state to what it was in before the lock-ups started happening. If the condition clears up, this is an indication that applications or device drivers that were installed since that point in time are the source of the problem. Consider re-installing those applications or drivers one at a time, and waiting to see if the problem re-emerges, before re-installing the next application or driver. You may also wish to consider not re-installing some of these applications and drivers.

See also Support Bulletin 98081788 Using System Restore to create and revert to Restore Points  

At other times, the locked-up condition may be the result of an unusual (and generally undiscoverable) coincidence of factors that may never occur again.

If your computer appears to be locked-up, first try the Ctrl + Alt + Del keystroke combination to invoke the Windows Task Manager, as follows: press and hold the Ctrl and Alt keys together, continue to hold them, and then tap the Del key.

If the computer is not really locked-up, but an application has become unresponsive, Windows may respond by minimizing the windows of all running applications and then displaying the Windows Security window, or the Windows Task Manager. Depending upon how busy Windows is, it may respond to the keystrokes immediately, or only after a delay of up to a minute. 

The Windows Task Manager window may appear. Otherwise, the Windows Security window should appear, in which case click the Task Manager button.

Otherwise, the Windows Task Manager window should appear. Click once on the name of any app labeled "Not responding" to select it, and then click the End Task button to close that app. It may be necessary to click the End Now button in an additional dialog box.

It may be possible to continue using the computer normally at this point, but we strongly recommend taking the following precaution:

1. Save and then close all open documents and other data files.

2. Close all running applications.

3. Restart Windows, by clicking the Start button, then Shut Down, and finally Restart.

Restarting Windows will refresh the contents of the computer's memory, and launch a fresh copy of the operating system. You can then relaunch applications, and reopen the documents and data files.

If the computer is actually locked-up, Windows will not be able to respond to the Ctrl + Alt + Del request at all. In that case, follow these steps to restart the computer. Try each of these three methods in order, until the  computer shuts down or restarts.

1 . Press and hold the computer's power button for ten seconds. For relatively new Toshiba notebook computers, this will turn the computer off. Watch for the 'On' light to go off, wait for five seconds, and then turn the computer on -- by pressing and holding the power button, for roughly one second.

2. Older Toshiba notebook computers may be unresponsive to the power button when locked-up. If so, press the recessed reset button with a ball-point pen. Do not press the reset button with a pencil, as the lead may break off inside the computer, possibly damaging the computer. See the computer's User's Guide for the location of the reset button. Many recent Toshiba notebook computer models do not have a reset button (in which case follow step 1).

3. If none of the above methods are successful, remove all power sources from the computer: disconnect the AC adapter, and remove the battery. The computer should turn off immediately. Re-install the battery and re-attach the AC adapter. Press and hold the power button to turn the computer on. If the computer does not respond, press the reset button, if there is one.

In the very rare event that none of these methods make it possible to restart the computer, call the Toshiba Support line at 800-457-7777 so that a trained technician can help you verify that all options have been exhausted, and help arrange for service, if necessary.

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