"Have you turned it off and on again?"

"Have you turned it off and on again?"

We've all heard the standing joke in computer circles (or at, whilst you've been watching "The IT Crowd"). I'm sure your best friend / partner / lover has mentioned it to you when you've been struggling to cope with the endless problems that have been plaguing you with your beloved computer since you switched on this morning. Through clenched, gritted teeth, you have replied, as nonchalantly as possible...

"Of course I have..."

Only you haven't, have you? Until they mentioned it, it never crossed your mind. Guiltily, and as quietly as possible, you hit the reset switch... and marvel, as everything starts working again...

There's a very good reason why this piece of urban legend actually works in 95% of cases, with everything from PC's to satalite boxes to mobile phones. Simply put, you're allowing your computer to get itself reorganized in the way it beleives it should be. The result: a once slow and dying machine is magically transformed into a fast, working computer - at least until you start loading programs again. One word of warning - make sure you use this as a last resort, as too many people believe that this is the first thing you should try - not true. Shut your machine down cleanly, rather than hitting the reset switch or power button first - it will save you from developing bald patches...