Every so often my computer slows to a crawl because of all the popups/defragging/other random crap that's going on in the background. When that happens, the mouse and keyboard become so sluggish that the computer has effectively locked up. Now, I can just reset the machine but I hate doing that (I've lost data doing that in fact.) What I'd rather do is tell the machine to stop doing all that useless crap and spend its time on the windows interface instead so I have a working computer again. What I propose is a little button on the case of the PC that sends a signal directly to the motherboard that tells the computer to kill all the running programs. (my mouse and keyboard aren't working at this point so having some code or button I can enter into the desktop won't help) You push the button, little flashing lights come on screen, a recording of CP30 yelling : "No, No, shut them ALL down!" plays, and the computer returns to functionality.
-- Madcat, Dec 14 2003

If you stop all tasks except the Windows interface, didn't you just lose that really important Word document you last saved an hour ago? And the big spreadsheet to go with it that you haven't saved yet at all?
-- gardnertoo, Dec 14 2003


Ctrl, Alt Delete. Ctrl, Alt, Delete.
Ok, so that's six buttons.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Dec 14 2003


Go to your local computer store and pick yourself up some RAM.. Sounds like you need it!
-- v0rtexx, Dec 15 2003


I think this is a deficiency of Windows 98 (and probably ME): it's certainly annoying that you can't easily kill all processes and tasks. If you visit an unscrupulous website that pops up dozens of uncloseable browser windows, you're in big trouble. You can end applications one by one, but that takes for ever, and the task manager doesn't let you kill all the threads running on your PC.

In Windows 2000 (and I suspect XP) you can at least select multiple processes or tasks at once and then end them all in Task Manager; I'm not sure how effective this is, but it's an improvement.
-- kropotkin, Dec 15 2003


I've experienced that "dozens of browser windows" thing. I tried desperately to keep up with the hundreds of windows opening every second, by hitting Ctrl-Alt Delete, Ctrl-Alt-Delete as fast as I could. But I was too slow. Eventually my desktop was covered with thousands of the invaders and my computer flopped to the ground, lifeless and still.
-- phundug, Dec 15 2003


//visit an unscrupulous website//
They have those?
The magic [CTRL-W] is a satisfying popup killer. But this idea is about a PC that's ignoring inputs. It's doubtful that any button will help in that case -- unless it's the power button on the spike strip.

I'd like a button that cleans that 2-inch thick layer of dust off the internal components (or have it automatic). And one that wiggles and seats PC motherboard cards. And of course, a button to add more RAM. That would end most, if not all, of the tasks.
-- Amos Kito, Dec 15 2003


//unscrupulous website that pops up dozens//
If you don't have JavaScript, Java and ActiveX disabled in your "Internet" zone, you are asking for trouble like this.
-- krelnik, Dec 15 2003


Delete Cookies & Temporary Files.
Run ScanDisk, then Defrag.
Download Ad-Aware.
Download Opera Browser.
Enjoy.

BTW, MS has given up on Win 98.
-- thumbwax, Dec 15 2003


Download google toolbar, use pop up blocker.
-- lubbit, Dec 15 2003


Failing that, Alt-F4 until it hurts.
-- gnomethang, Dec 15 2003


Uh Jutta, it's not MY advice.
-- Madcat, Dec 16 2003


// Download google toolbar, use pop up blocker. //

The Google toolbar makes my PC seize up.
-- kropotkin, Dec 16 2003



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