Why does my computer lock up in the middle of a woork sheet.  I am using a Compaq
Presario 7900. All too often I loose my work sheet

Ken4321ga

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Request for Question Clarification by aceresearcher-ga on 31 Oct 2002 15:07 PST

ken4321,

For Researchers to be able to assist you, it would help to have the
following details:
- What operating system (and version number) is installed on your PC
(Windows 98, ME, 2000, etc)?
- What software program (and version number) are you using to create
your worksheets?
- Is there a specific command or action that seems to be causing your
system to lock up?

Well I can tell you without answering that in order to get an
appropriate answer, you will need to provide more specifics.

in the field we call them "com-crack" computers.  this is because in
an average year, we get more of them in the shop to fix that any other
brand.  my suggestion, sell it on ebay, get a real computer, like
anything else.

ps- I could tell you a better answer, but would need more info on the
puter.

get yourself a different computer, compaq will give you nothing but
trouble. either have a really smart friend build you a computer or get
a dell.

Hi, ken4321-ga:

If the problem only occurs within your spreadsheet program, esp.
within a particular spreadsheet document (or worksheet, if I
understand your context), then that's the place to look first.  Is it
possible you have defined some formulas in the spreadsheet that can
enter an endless loop of updates without converging?

It's possible for the computer to "appear" to have locked up when in
fact there is a modal dialog box "hidden" behind another document or
"waiting" to be displayed.  Try using Alt-TAB to switch from one
application to another to see if all tasks are frozen, or use
Ctrl-Alt-Del under Win98 to bring up the Task Manager (there may be a
program shown as "not responding" there).  Sometimes just hitting the
Esc key can get things going again; Excel and MS Office programs are
susceptible to accidental strikes of the Alt key, which switches focus
to a menu without obvious cues.  Finally, I've had a problem with
Excel hanging where the mouse moves around but one is trapped in a
kind of "cell selection" mode (no escape possible by keyboard or
mouse!).  The resolution was to reinstall Excel.

regards, mathtalk-ga

Hi,
  It may be due to some of excel system files got corrupted. Reinstall
Excel and try again.
It may also be due to bad sector in hardisk. verify harddisk and if
possible do defrag on it.

Please let me know if any of the method succeeded.

Thanks
RAC

I got 2 things to say, 1 scrap the computer as everyone else seemed to
say, and 2, get rid of Windows if you have it, it's nothing but
trouble. I suggest get Linux, it is stable and I don't think it has
ever crashed on it's own! It comes with an office suite suitable for
your needs, and best of all, IT'S FREE!