Solving Problems 103
After the System Has Been Running Correctly
Problems that occur after the system hardware and software have been running correctly often
indicate equipment failure. Many situations that are easy to correct, however, can also cause such
problems.
Checklist
q If you are running the software from a diskette, try a new copy of the software.
q If you are running the software from a CD-ROM disk, try a different disk to see if the problem
occurs on all disks.
q If you are running the software from a hard disk drive, try running it from a diskette. If the
software runs correctly, there may be a problem with the copy on the hard disk drive. Reinstall
the software on the hard disk, and try running it again. Make sure all necessary files are
installed.
q If the problems are intermittent, there may be a loose cable, dirt in the keyboard (if keyboard
input is incorrect), a marginal power supply, or other random component failures.
q If you suspect that a transient voltage spike, power outage, or brownout might have occurred,
reload the software and try running it again. (Symptoms of voltage spikes include a flickering
video display, unexpected system reboots, and the system not responding to user commands.)
✏NOTE
Random errors in data files: If you are getting random errors in your data
files, they may be getting corrupted by voltage spikes on your power line. If
you are experiencing any of the above symptoms that might indicate voltage
spikes on the power line, you may want to install a surge suppressor between
the power outlet and the system power cord.