Configuring: Am I REALLY Not Allowed to Unplug the Computer?

When a computer is configuring a file or system, a message shows up on the screen. The message tells you not to turn off or unplug your computer. It may also say that it will turn off automatically when configuration is complete. If you accidentally unplug the computer, you may lose data as a result.
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Written by Staff Writer • Posted on Jul 30, 2013

When a computer is configuring a file or system, a message shows up on the screen. The message tells you not to turn off or unplug your computer. It may also say that it will turn off automatically when configuration is complete. If you accidentally unplug the computer, you may lose data as a result.

What is Computer Configuration?

Before you can understand the type of information that you may lose, it is important to recognize what computer configuration does. Computer configuration is essentially the way data, files and systems on your computer are organized.

When you run a configuration management program, it will rearrange and organize the data. As a result, your computer will run faster and it is easier to find data that you need.

Unplugging the Computer

If you unplug or turn off the computer while a configuration is running, it is possible that you will lose some of the data that was being arranged.

The amount of data you may lose and the exact type of data will depend on the amount of reorganization that was left, the computer, and the particular files or programs that were being managed.

Fixing the Problems

After turning off the computer, the only way to determine the extent of the problems is turning it back on to see what happened. If you discover that the screen gives an odd message or that the computer does not boot, then it may be necessary to seek professional PC care support.

The help of professional PC care support will offer specific details about solving the problem based on the message that you receive or the specific situation you are facing.

Potential measures you may need to take include:

  • Rebooting from a CD
  • Reinstalling your computer system
  • Recovering lost data

In the worst case, it is possible that you will need to wipe the computer clean and start with a fresh system. If you have a backup to an outside source, then reinstalling your system will make it easier to get it started up again.

The best measures to solve the problem will vary based on the situation that you are facing. PC care support from Bask can help if you are not sure about the next step based on your specific situation. The best measures will depend on how much data was lost when you unplugged the computer.

As a general rule, it is better to allow the computer to configure without unplugging or turning it off because it can result in lost data. If you’ve just reformatted the computer or installed a new system, then the lost data may be recoverable. Try to avoid unplugging the computer unless it is necessary.