# What is wrong with my computer?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-computer/186483>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 6, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-computer/186483 "2003-07-06T01:28:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nichol\_storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Nichol\_storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nichol_storm)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-computer/186483/1 "2003-07-06T01:28:26Z")

</div>

For the past couple of days, I’ve been having problems with my computer, which is a Gateway hooked via AOL. It’s never given me any trouble until now.

When I click on an embedded link – like [this one](http://www.google.com) – the screen freezes and I have to turn off the computer to get out. What has happened? More importantly, can I fix it on my own? Please help, O scarycomputergeniusdopers.

.:Nichol:.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-computer/186483/2 "2003-07-06T01:38:11Z")

</div>

OS? Browser? AOL version? The more information you can provide about your system when asking computer-related questions, the more likely we are to come up with a solution.

You say you are usi8ng AOL. Does this happen when using AOL’s included (crappy) browser or IE? If the former, try launcing IE and browsing with that.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Panzerfaust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Panzerfaust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panzerfaust)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-computer/186483/3 "2003-07-06T02:07:05Z")

</div>

Also, are you using some sort of pop-up blocker? I see this happen with those, from time to time.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nichol\_storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Nichol\_storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nichol_storm)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-computer/186483/4 "2003-07-06T02:17:50Z")

</div>

Ah hah! I just downloaded a pop-up blocker the other day. I’ve now disabled it and the screen now works great! Disaster averted!

_many kisses to **Panzerfaust** and **Q.E.D.** for their kind assistance_

.:Nichol:.