Resetting the Computer

You can reset the computer to reload the operating system or to restart a program. You may need to reset the computer if an error occurs and the computer does not respond to anything you type. However, resetting erases all data in the computer’s temporary memory (RAM) that you have not stored, so reset your computer only when necessary.

In MS-DOS, you can hold down Ctrl and press C to stop a program’s operation and return to the MS-DOS command prompt. If an error occurs, try this method before you reset the computer.

WARNING

Do not reset the computer to exit a program unless you have to. Some application programs classify and store new data whenever you exit the program properly. If you reset the computer while such a program is running, you may lose data.

There are three ways to reset the computer. Because each is more powerful than the last, try them in the order listed here:

If you are using MS-DOS, hold down Ctrl and Alt while you press the Del key. The screen goes blank for a moment and then MS-DOS reloads. (MS-DOS must either be on the diskette in drive A or on the hard disk.) If this does not correct the problem, try the next method described below.

Press the RESET button on the front panel. This method works even when the keyboard does not respond to your commands. If this does not correct the problem, try the method described below.

Remove any diskettes from the diskette drives and turn off all peripherals. Then turn off the computer by pressing the POWER button on the front of the main unit. Wait five seconds and then switch the power back on.

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