Power/Environment problems

[Revised Jul 04]

If the computer starts up in 'safe mode' frequently, or becomes generally unreliable, it is likely that one of the following problems has occurred.

Database disorganised

Run the preventative maintenance a.s.a.p.

Other software

If other Windows software is going to cause a problem it will usually do so immediately on being installed (or perhaps the first time it is used), and after that the problem will exist all the time even if the offending software is never used again.

DOS software

Will tend to interfere only on days when it is run, though the problem may persist even after it are shut down, until the next total shut down of Windows and restart.

Electrical problems.

- Have the lights flickered?

- Are electricians working nearby?

- Does the fridge cause a screen flicker when it cuts off ?

- Are there any warm switches on the building power board? If so heat = resistance or arcing = power surges.

It is estimated that 50% of all computer problems, and 33% of all data loss is caused by power problems, which can permanently damage the computer leading to future unreliability.

As a rule of thumb when searching for causes, 50% to 80% of all power problems are generated in your own building.

Benefit of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

These are very useful if power problems are suspected, and especially important for pharmacies in small towns where the power supply is often variable. However, they cannot prevent all problems and cannot filter out power problems inside the computer itself, or prevent someone turning off at the front panel, or prevent radio frequency or magnetic interference.

Magnetic/Electrical/Radio Frequency fields

Strong fields can induce interference in computers, typically if a network cable runs past a shoplifting detector at the door, or door opening motor etc.

Field interference is difficult to find, causes intractable and recurring problems, and is not prevented by a UPS. Examples that have caused serious problems in the past include;

- Automatic door openers (network cable ran close to motor, fixed by shielding cable).

- Shoplifting detectors (as above)

- Arc welding nearby (Panelbeater next door, UPS and cable shielding reduced problem to manageable level)

- Xray field (Chiropractor next door; beam was pointing at pharmacy and computers. Strong words with neighbour resulted in better shielding for pharmacy computer, and staff !)

- Instrument landing systems for airfield (computer wavered and sometimes crashed out when aircraft were landing.)

Shielding. Most field 'field' problems can be fixed by shielding the cables. Often just wrapping with aluminium foil the nearby part of a network cable is sufficient, but in extreme cases the whole of the network cable and power cable need to be run through earthed metal conduit connected to the metal case of the computers.

Imminent hardware failure. Hard disk or internal power supply problems often lead to a rash of apparently unrelated problems leading up to failure.

Distored case, stuck key on keyboard

These can resemble internal hardware failure, or power problems. Ie, one unit was very noisy on the morning start up, and also some times stopping altogether, and turning itself off during the start up. On investigation it was found that the noise, which sounded like the Hard disk disintegrating, was a sticking key on the keyboard, making it beep quickly, and this seems to also have been upsetting the boot process giving other inconsistent results. It was also turning off during the boot which appears to have been caused by the power button not springing out all the time, likely caused by someone knocking the front panel on the case and causing miss alignment there, and the keyboard issue was possibly also from mechanical damage.

Windows corrupted. After a period of use, internal parts of Windows can become disorganised... especially likely if other Windows programs are installed or uninstalled.

If none of the above steps help, ask the help desk to assist you to reinstall the software (no data will be lost) and if that does not help, get your local computer technician to reinstall Windows itself. The need to do this occasionally is not unusual for Windows and does not indicate a fault.