When Windows is busy with a task, it generally displays a spinning hourglass or wheel to show that it is performing a task. When the task is finished, the icon disappears. Then, you are able to use your computer again.

When the task does not finish, it means there is an error in Windows that is not responding. In earlier versions of Windows, the non responding errors means a rebooting the system is necessary. The more current versions are not as prone to complete system crashes. For Windows Vista, when the software does not respond, you will have the choice to wait for the shutdown of the software or to respond to the software that is not responding. By shutting down the non-responding software you will be able to return to other tasks without rebooting your computer. You may lose the data in the offending software but other running software’s pieces of data are unaffected

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For Windows Vista and Windows XP you can shut the software down that is not responding manually. To do this, go to the “Task Manager” and right click on the mouse anywhere that is blank on the desktop and select the “Task Manager”. You can also click on the control, alt, delete at the same time to choose the “Start Task Manager”.

Once you have launched the function select the “performance” option. You will have a graphic view of how your sources are utilized that will show on the screen. Since the program is not responding and you are receiving an error message, the memory of the CPU usage may be close to full. After that, click on the “Applications” option. By doing this, you will see a list of all the applications that are running. Select the ones that are not responding by clicking on “End Task”.

To find out how much memory and CPU an application is using, the you need to click on the “Process” option. This will allow you to view the application that is connected with the .exe file. Say, you would like to know the resources Excel is utilizing as it runs then search for excel.exe and look at the numbers. Non-responsive errors may be a result of too many applications taking up resources. This will not occur when your computer has more available resources.

Follow these steps to limit the startup items with the System Configuration tool:

1. Select the “Start” menu and then select “Run”.
2. In the open box, type the word msconfig
3. Click on the “Enter”
4. Next select the “Startup” option.
5. All applications that are not necessary on the list, delete

Viruses and spyware are also culprits of resources being used. You should perform daily scans for such. You will notice a considerable difference in the performance of your computer by cleaning up your resources.