# computer question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 14, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042 "2005-02-14T17:41:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/1 "2005-02-14T17:41:54Z")
When I try to press the red ‘X’ button when I want to end a programme, I can’t because its shaded and blocked and I can’t access it. Is there anyway to remove it? ---
**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/2 "2005-02-14T17:46:18Z")
I think we’re gonna need a whole lot more information here. What is the computer’s physical set up? What OS / Version? What programs are giving you trouble? ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/3 "2005-02-14T18:46:53Z")
Windows XP just getting rid of defunct programmes, erm sometimes when I close an msn conversation its on there too ---
**Author:** ![Thin\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/4 "2005-02-14T19:27:13Z")
How is it shaded and blocked? If the window is not maximized then the upper right corner could be up and/or off to the right just enough to keep your cursor from reaching it. Either maximizing or moving the window will bring it back onto the screen. If it’s blocked by other things then minimize or close them. If all else fails then use Ctrl+Alt+Delete. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/5 "2005-02-14T20:13:48Z")
here’s an example of what I’m talking about. [here](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Ryan_Liam/Xmarksthespottwo.bmp) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/6 "2005-02-14T20:57:18Z")
Your screenshot is too small for me to read it. I tried expanding it, but it got all blurry. Mind trying again? ---
**Author:** ![daffyduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@daffyduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daffyduck)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/7 "2005-02-14T21:26:47Z")
When the x is greyed out in a dialog window like that, it means you have to choose one of the buttons. If, for some reason, you don’t want to select one of the buttons offered, then you have to do “Ctrl-Alt-Del” and kill the application or process. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/8 "2005-02-14T21:47:05Z")
[here](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Ryan_Liam/gggg.bmp) ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/9 "2005-02-14T22:20:16Z")
**daffyduck** is almost there! The method is right (use a button, or kill the whole program with Ctrl-Alt-Del), but in Windows jargon it’s a ‘dialog box’, not a window at all. Yes, it’s a nitpick, but it can be confusing if you don’t follow the naming convention. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/10 "2005-02-14T22:50:57Z")
> [@rjk](#): > > in Windows jargon it’s a ‘dialog box’, not a window at all. [Check 1985 hardcover edition of Inside Macintosh Vols. I-III, I-399 (The Dialog Manager)] > [@](#): > > A **dialog box** appears on the screen when a Macintosh application needs more information to carry out a command. [/Check 1985 hardcover edition of Inside Macintosh Vols. I-III, I-399 (The Dialog Manager)] ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/290042/11 "2005-02-15T20:41:56Z")
Yes, Mac! But Windows too! :smack: