Copyright: Copyright © 1996-1998 Symantec Corporation
Citation: Copyright © 1996-1998 Symantec Corporation


Norton CrashGuard Crash Advice

CrashGuard can give you a lot of information about a crash. It can tell you how unstable the crashed program and your system are. It can even recommend a crash recovery option based on this information. The thing it cannot tell you is how important your data and time are at the point of the crash. Only you know that information.

Crashes happen for many different reasons and because of that, they differ greatly in severity. Even though it seems like you should always want to save your work, sometimes it is not possible. If you Revive a crashed program, it might return you to the program with no problems. Other times that same action might cause additional crashes that require you to turn off your computer and restart it, losing the data in all of your programs.

These topics help you place a value on your data and on your time, and help you decide when it is safe to save your data or when you should close your program.

How valuable or urgent is your data?

Does the crashed program save a file?

Do you have important files open in other programs?

Click here [image] for more information.


How valuable or urgent is your data?

Because trying to recover from a crash might actually make the program or your system stability worse, sometimes it is a good idea to terminate a crashed program without trying to save.

Example 1: Data value = low, Time urgency = low

You open Notepad to make a note of your brother’s real estate agent since you are considering purchasing a home in the next year. The data value is low because it is easily replaceable. The time urgency is also low.

When the data value and time urgency are both low, you should consider Terminating the program without trying to save.

Example 2: Data value = high, Time urgency = low

Your brother finally gives you the ingredients to his secret sauce. It took a lot of begging to get the information from him, so you do not want to ask again. The data is extremely valuable since you will have a hard time replacing it, but the urgency is still low.

When the data value is high and time urgency is low, you have to weigh the severity of the crash against the value of the data. If you have done only a small amount of work since you last saved, you might choose to Terminate the program and reproduce the work. If all you are concerned about is saving the file, click VitalSave. If you absolutely must return to the program, click Revive.

Example 3: Data value = low, Time urgency = high

It is your brother’s birthday and you forgot to send him a card. Even though you are running late for work, you connect to the internet to send him an electronic greeting and your browser crashes. The data value is low because you can easily recreate it, but the urgency is high.

When the data value is low and time urgency is high, you have to weigh your options. If the time urgency were not an issue, you could use QuickReload or Terminate and recreate the card. Since your time is limited, you might try to Revive the crash so you can finish the card.

Example 4: Data value = high, Time urgency = high

You are publishing a cookbook for your brother (he is the chef, you are the writer) and the draft is due to the publisher in the morning. Remember that recipe for the secret sauce? Now both the data value and time urgency are high.

When the data value and time urgency are both high, you will probably want to do all you can to save your file and keep on working. When it is available, VitalSave is generally your best option to save your file. Crash Assistant even helps you restart the program to save you time. If cannot spare the time to restart the program or your computer, or to reproduce the work you lost, click Revive and try to save your document immediately. If you click Revive, you might further affect the program or system stability.

Does the crashed program save a file?

Do you have important files open in other programs?

Click here [image] for more information.


Does the crashed program save a file?

One thing you should consider when an program crashes is whether it has a file you need to save. Many programs like word processors and spreadsheet programs store your data in individual files. Some programs, like calculators and some games, do not store any data when you close them.

For example, if your calculator program crashes, you do not lose anything if you close the calculator and restart it.

Recommendation: If the crashed program does not save a data file, click Terminate to close it. Crash Assistant helps you restart the program to save you time.

How valuable or urgent is your data?

Do you have important files open in other programs?

Click here [image] for more information.


Do you have important files open in other programs?

Sometimes losing the information in a crashed program is not as important as a file you have open in another program. For example, if the game you are playing crashes and you just finished a level you spent hours trying to complete, you might use CrashGuard to try to Revive it. However, if that same game crashes and you have an important document open in your word processor, you might sacrifice the game so you do not make the rest of your system unstable.

Recommendation: If a file you have open in another program is more valuable than the information in the crashed program, click Terminate to close the crashed program.

How valuable or urgent is your data?

Does the crashed program save a file?

Click here [image] for more information.


Introducing Norton CrashGuard

Norton CrashGuard 4.0 protects you from the effects of computer crashes. Since it is impossible to avoid computer crashes, Norton CrashGuard 4.0 guards you from the effects of these crashes, helping you save your work and continue using your computer productively.

CrashGuard continuously runs in the background, intercepting crashes and preventing data loss and wasted time. If a program crashes, CrashGuard recovers the program so you can save your work and exit the program gracefully. As long as you see its icon in the system area of your taskbar, you know CrashGuard is monitoring your computer for crashes.

CrashGuard also helps you recover from program freezes. Sometimes a program stops working properly, but its window still appears on your screen. When this happens, the program is frozen; it does not seem to respond to input from you or from Windows. The easiest way to spot a frozen program is that it appears to be functioning normally, but it does not let you interact with it. Before CrashGuard, your only option was to close the frozen program, losing your work and possibly corrupting your file.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Understanding the difference between a crash and freeze

A crash is what happens when a computer program tries to do something that it should not do, and causes itself or another program to stop functioning properly.

All programs contain lists of instructions that tell the computer how to perform tasks and how to respond to the user. Imagine for comparison a taxi driver who calls his dispatcher for orders. The dispatcher tells the driver where to go, who to pick up, and what procedure to follow. When the driver is ready for his next job, he calls the dispatcher to find out what to do next.

A Windows program behaves much the same way, contacting its dispatcher to find out what orders are waiting, and then following a list of instructions for carrying out those orders. If the instruction chain breaks down, the program might not run correctly.

A program freeze is a little different. Sometimes a program stops working properly, but its window still appears on your screen. When this happens, the program is frozen; it does not respond to input from you or from Windows. Programs freeze for different reasons. Sometimes the program waits for an event that will never occur. Other times, the program is busy with a task that it can never complete.

The most important difference between a crash and a freeze is that CrashGuard intercepts crashes automatically and gives you options to recover from them. Because freezes are so similar to regular system activity, CrashGuard cannot detect them. You have to notice when your program is frozen and ask CrashGuard for help so you can access appropriate recovery options.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Understanding your recovery options

With CrashGuard, you now have options to recover from crashes and freezes. These options differ based on the program. CrashGuard also gives you different options depending on whether the program crashed or froze.

Your recovery options:

VitalSave

QuickReload

Revive

AntiFreeze

Terminate

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Recovery option: VitalSave

When your program crashes, usually the most important thing on your mind is saving your data. When you use VitalSave, CrashGuard tells the crashed program to save your file and closes the program as well.

When you use VitalSave, you will see it behaves similarly to a program that you closed, but forgot to save the open file. If this seems confusing, think of it this way: Have you ever accidentally closed a program without first saving the file you have open in it? The program prompts you save the file, even though you already tried to close the program.

Other recovery options:

QuickReload

Revive

AntiFreeze

Terminate

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Recovery option: QuickReload

Web browsers crash for many different reasons. Sometimes these programs crash internally [image] other times the pages you visit causes the browser to crash. If you visit some of the more complicated web sites on the internet, you might spend a lot of time searching for that one page you need. If your browser crashes, all that time and effort is lost. CrashGuard’s QuickReload feature lets you safely close down your browser, and restart it with the page you last visited. This allows you keep your system stable and saves you time by returning to the last URL.

Other recovery options:

VitalSave

Revive

AntiFreeze

Terminate

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Recovery option: Revive

Sometimes when a program crashes, all you care about is getting back to the file. If you are printing a document for an important meeting and you do not have time to redo any work, restart Windows, or even restart the program, Revive will return you to the program so you can try to finish the task you were doing.

If you choose Revive, be aware that although this might return you to the program, the program’s controls and functionality might be impaired or might not work at all. Revive is a good option when you absolutely need to return to the file and VitalSave is not available as an option.

After you Revive the program, you should save your work immediately and restart the program at your earliest convenience to stop other problems before they start. When you close the program, Crash Assistant gives you the option to restart it so you can quickly get back to work.

Other recovery options:

VitalSave

QuickReload

AntiFreeze

Terminate

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Recovery option: AntiFreeze

When a program stops working properly, but its window still appears on your screen, the program is frozen. It does not seem to respond to input from you or from Windows. The easiest way to spot a frozen application is that the program appears to be functioning normally, but it does not let you interact with it. Before AntiFreeze, your only option was to press Ctrl+Alt+Del and close the frozen program, losing your work and possibly corrupting your file. AntiFreeze tries to unfreeze the program, giving control back to you.

Other recovery options:

VitalSave

QuickReload

Revive

Terminate

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Recovery option: Terminate

Terminate is the same as the Close option Windows gives when a crash occurs. If you have a file open in the crashed program, the information you entered since your last save will be lost. Terminate is often the best option when the data you have open in the crashed program is not important or urgent.

When you Terminate the program, Crash Assistant gives you the option to restart it so you can quickly get back to work.

Other recovery options:

VitalSave

QuickReload

Revive

AntiFreeze

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard General Settings

CrashGuard lets you customize its general behavior. These options include Crash Assistant, Close Program options, and whether CrashGuard displays splash screens.

These settings let you do the following:

Enable status information in Crash Assistant. Crash Assistant can also let you easily restart the crashed program or Windows if you enable the Restart Options dialog box.

Novice users should leave these options enabled until they are familiar with Crash Assistant.

Enhance the Close Program window by adding AntiFreeze and FreezeCheck.

When a program freezes, your mouse might not function properly. Having these options on the Close Program window might be the only way for you to recover from the freeze.

Disable the splash screen reminder that appears when you start Windows. This window appears to let you know CrashGuard is protecting you.

Note: Under Windows NT, if you do not have administrator rights on your computer, you cannot change these settings.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard Advanced Settings

CrashGuard lets you customize the types of crashes it intercepts, as well as test its crash protection. The crash tests pose no danger to your file or the programs that are currently running.

These settings let you do the following:

Enable 16-bit and 32-bit crash protection.

Enable Blue-screen crash protection.

Test CrashGuard’s crash protection and familiarize yourself with Crash Assistant before a crash occurs.

Note: Under Windows NT, if you do not have administrator rights on your computer, you cannot change these settings.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard Statistics

CrashGuard statistics displays the following information:

How many crashes you have had.

How many freezes you have had.

Which applications and modules caused the errors.

Note: The applications named TEST16.EXE and TEST32.EXE are CrashGuard's test programs you can access in CrashGuard settings. If either program shows up in this list, those crashes were probably not encountered during "normal" computing.


Norton CrashGuard SafeOriginal Settings

Sometimes when a program crashes, it overwrites your open file and corrupts it. To prevent this, SafeOriginal creates a read-only copy of your original file before the crashed program can write to it. The state your file was in at the last save is what SafeOriginal copies.

CrashGuard lets you customize the following SafeOriginal settings:

Enable SafeOriginal.

Let SafeOriginal create shortcuts to the files it copies.

Select the folder where SafeOriginal copies its files.

Customize SafeOriginal delete options.

Delete all SafeOriginal files currently saved on your computer.

Note: Under Windows NT, if you do not have administrator rights on your computer, you cannot change these settings.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard Crash Assistant

Crash Assistant displays when a crash occurs. At crash time, Crash Assistant gives you recovery options that allow you to save your file and get back to work. During recovery, Crash Assistant stays open and gives you crash status information and options in case more problems occur. After the crash, Crash Assistant helps you restart the crashed program so you can quickly get back to work.

 	Click here to move this help window to the top.

Crash Assistant controls:

Crash Information displays the name of the program that crashed, and in some cases, the file that is open in the program.

The Program and System indicators display status information about the program that crashed and your system stability.

Crash Advisor tells you the recommended recovery option based on your program and system status.

SafeOriginal status tells you whether SafeOriginal is enabled or disabled.

The Recovery Options give you options to recover from the crash or freeze.

Gives you access to the technical crash details.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Program status indicator

When CrashGuard intercepts a crash, it evaluates several of the program's vital signs and translates them into status indicators. These indicators reflect the likelihood that the program will be able to continue functioning if you choose to return to the program. It does not indicate whether the program will work correctly, however, because there is no way to find out until the program resumes.

Although CrashGuard cannot ensure its recovery options are risk free, it will warn you of any threats it detects. If CrashGuard detects a threat, the indicators display more serious warnings. When you receive these warnings, you should immediately try to save your work in any other programs you are using.

	A minor crash occured. The program has been damaged, but CrashGuard does not detect any threathening conditions.
	The crashed program suffered a detectable level of impairment. The program might continue to function if you return to it, but it will be impaired in some way.
	A component of the crashed program is malfunctioning. Although the program might continue functioning without the impaired component, you should consider using Revive only in emergency situations.
	CrashGuard has determined Windows might crash if you continue using the crashed program. When you see this indicator, you should not use Revive unless it is an absolute emergency.
Click here  [image]  for more information.


System status indicator

Because a program crash can affect your system stability, CrashGuard also displays a system status indicator when it determines your system is unstable.

When CrashGuard tells you your system is unstable, you should terminate the crashed program and restart Windows. You should only try one of the other options if the information in your unsaved file is extremely important. If you do successfully save your file, you should close the program and restart Windows.

	Your system stability is normal, or CrashGuard cannot detect that there are any issues threatening your system stability.
	CrashGuard has determined that your system could become unstable if you continue using the crashed program.
Click here  [image]  for more information.


SafeOriginal status indicator

When CrashGuard intercepts a crash, it also displays a SafeOriginal status indicator to tell you whether SafeOriginal is enabled or disabled. If the program or your system are very unstable, or the option you choose to save your file does not work, SafeOriginal saves you from recreating the entire file.

	When enabled, SafeOriginal protects your work from becoming corrupted. When a crashed program tries to write to an open file, SafeOriginal creates a read-only copy of the original file—the state it was in when you opened it—and places the copy in the SafeOriginal folder.
	SafeOriginal does not protect your files when it is disabled. Click here for instructions to enable SafeOriginal.
Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard Crash Assistant for FreezeCheck

This window displays when you use FreezeCheck to diagnose problems with the selected program. Depending on the diagnosis, you should choose a recovery option or click Cancel to return to the program.

FreezeCheck messages:

The program is disabled.

The program is not responding, but it appears to be busy. Try waiting if you think it might finish what it is doing, or click AntiFreeze if you want CrashGuard to interrupt it. AntiFreeze might get the program to start responding, but the program might become impaired in the process. You should save your work immediately.

The program is not responding.

The program appears to be waiting, but it is not actually busy. Using AntiFreeze, CrashGuard can tell the program to stop waiting and start accepting your commands.

The program is not busy.

The program might be waiting for input. Some of the program’s controls are disabled while some are ready for input. AntiFreeze can activate the program's other windows, but the program might not expect input from those windows right now.

The program appears ready.

CrashGuard cannot detect any problems with the program. Click Cancel to return to the program.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Crash Assistant Status dialog box

When a crash occurs, Crash Assistant stays open to give you important status information. Crash Assistant also gives you access to FreezeCheck in case you experience more problems.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard Quick Reload

Occasionally the page that you are trying to load is what causes your browser to crash. When this happens, Crash Assistant cannot return you to that page or your browser will experience more crashes.

You can select another page in the list below, or you can open another web browser on your computer and try visiting the page in that browser.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard FreezeCheck

This window lists the programs that are currently open on your computer. If you suspect a program is not functioning correctly, select it in the list and click FreezeCheck to access recovery options.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Crash Assistant Restart Options dialog box

After you apply a recovery option to a crashed program, Crash Assistant is there to help you restart the program or Windows to make your system as stable as possible. These options appear when you use close the crashed program yourself, or if you use Terminate to close it.

This dialog box also gives you summary information about the crash. For example, if Crash Assistant detected additional errors after the original crash, it displays the information in the summary section of this window.

Since you might continue to experience problems after a crash, it is always a good idea to restart the program or Windows to stabilize your system. If you choose not to use a Restart Option, click Close to return to work.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Crash Information dialog box

Displays the name of the program that crashed, the date it crashed, your operating system version, and other information that might be useful if you experience repeated crashes.

Click Advanced to view the technical crash details.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Norton CrashGuard Crash Monitor

Each time you start your computer, Crash Monitor opens and monitors your system for crashes. Since it must run constantly to intercept crashes, it uses as little memory as possible so it does not interfere with your computing. Crash Monitor also:

Briefly displays a splash screen when it starts and places an icon in the system tray to let you know it is protecting you.

Alerts Crash Assistant when a crash occurs to help you recover from the crash.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


SafeOriginal did not start

SafeOriginal did not start due to one of the following reasons. These reasons correspond to the number that appears in the message box.

1	Logging failed to start.

2	Logging failed to create.

3	Monitor process failed.

4	All needed entry points could not be found (mismatched versions).

5	Could not load SYMPRREC.DLL or another necessary DLL file.

6	Missing Registry entries for CommonFilesDir. You should re-install Norton CrashGuard.

If you encounter one of these error messages, make a note of it. It might be useful to Technical Support personnel.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Technical crash details

When a crash occurs, CrashGuard records important information about the crashed program. Since the crash details Windows provides were designed to benefit the programmer who wrote the program that crashed, and not the user who experienced the crash, the information is very technical and not easy to understand. Nevertheless, you can learn a few things from the technical crash details.

This crash example:

1	Windows 95 Version 4.00.1212

2	TEST32 caused an invalid page fault in module TEST32.EXE at 024f:00401303.

3	Registers:
EAX=00000000 CS=024f EIP=00401303 EFLGS=00010293
EBX=00000000 SS=0257 ESP=0063d060 EBP=0063d06c
ECX=00000000 DS=0257 ESI=00000000 FS=4fcf
EDX=0000002a ES=0257 EDI=bff618a4 GS=0000

4	Bytes at CS:EIP:
33 c0 5b 8b e5 5d c2 04 00 bb 00 00 00 00 f7 f3

5	Stack dump:
000007f0 000007f0 bff64b0c bff64b0c 004012cb 00000000 0063fac0 00008b30 00000001 0063fb0c 63736544 74706972 3a6e6f69 68542020 72702065 6172676f

Gives you the following information:

1	The version number of the operating system you have installed on your computer.

2	The name of the program that crashed (TEST32), the module where the crash occurred (TEST32.EXE), as well as the error that caused the crash (invalid page fault). If you do not recognize the filename, search your computer to find where it is located. Its folder might tell you which program it belongs to.

The crash address (024f:00401303 in this example) tells you where in memory the crash occurred.

3	The Registers show the values in each of your processor’s registers at the time the crash occurred. This information might be useful to Technical Support personnel if you experience repeated crashes in a particular program.

4	CS:EIP is the name for the current instruction. In this example, the program crashed trying to execute the instruction whose raw value is 33 c0. This information is displayed in raw format, which is very technical. However, it might be useful to someone trying to help you troubleshoot problems on your computer.

5	The Stack Dump traces the route that caused the program to crash.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Notepad cannot open the file CGSTATS.CG. If you installed CrashGuard to a directory other than C:\Program Files\Norton CrashGuard, navigate to the installation folder and use Notepad to open CGSTATS.CG.


Integrator Dialog Box Controls


Lets you customize your CrashGuard options, such as the types of crashes CrashGuard intercepts, how SafeOriginal works, and so on.


Updates your Norton CrashGuard program files so you have the most current crash protection.


Displays the number of crash and freezes CrashGuard has helped you recover from, as well as the programs that caused the crashes and freezes.


Displays help related to this window.


FreezeCheck helps you regain control of frozen programs.


Gives you information about Norton CrashGuard, including product registration information and your installation directory.


Settings Dialog Box Controls


Lets CrashGuard intercept crashes caused by 16-bit programs.

Even if you do not have many older programs (like those written for Windows 3.x) on your computer, many hardware drivers are 16-bit.


Lets CrashGuard intercept crashes caused by 32-bit programs. Most of the popular Windows programs are 32-bit.


Lets you test CrashGuard’s ability to intercept and recover from 16-bit crashes. It can also familiarize you with the crash alarm so you know what to expect in the event of a real crash.


Lets you test CrashGuard’s ability to intercept and recover from 32-bit crashes. It can also familiarize you with the crash alarm so you know what to expect in the event of a real crash.


When checked, CrashGuard adds AntiFreeze and FreezeCheck to the Close Program window.

The Close Program window appears when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.


Displays the detailed crash log as a text file. This is very useful information if you need to call technical support to help you through a problem.


When checked, Crash Assistant displays information about a crash event and gives you the option to restart the program or Windows.


When checked, Crash Assistant displays a status window when a crash occurs. The window contains recovery options and status information for the crash or freeze.


When unchecked, a splash screen displays when you start your computer to let you know CrashGuard is monitoring your system for crashes.


When checked, CrashGuard monitors your system for blue-screen crashes.


These options let you select the types of crashes CrashGuard intercepts.


These crash tests let you test CrashGuard’s ability to intercept 16-bit and 32-bit crashes. They can also familiarize you with Crash Assistant so you know what to expect in the event of a real crash.


Lets you customize Crash Assistant so it displays status and summary information, and lets you easily restart the crashed program or Windows.


SafeOriginal Dialog Control Help


When this box is checked, SafeOriginal is enabled. In the event of a crash, SafeOriginal makes a read-only copy of your original file before the crashed program can write to it. If the program corrupts your data file, use the SafeOriginal copy as a backup.


Specifies the location on your computer where SafeOriginal copies its files.


CrashGuard deletes SafeOriginal files from your computer after the specified number of days elapses. Enter 0 to prevent CrashGuard from deleting these files.


Click this to specify where you want SafeOriginal to copy its files.


When a crashed program tries to write to your file, SafeOriginal creates a read-only copy and places it in the SafeOriginal folder. If the crashed program corrupts your file, the SafeOriginal copy saves you from recreating the entire file.


Summary Dialog Control Help


Restarts the program that crashed.


Restarts Windows to return your system to a stable state.


Displays summary information about the crash, including whether the crash experienced additional crashes or errors.


General Controls


Closes this window without saving any changes you might have made.


Closes this window and, if appropriate, saves your changes.


Displays online help related to this window.


Recent URL dialog box


Displays a list of recently-visited URLs. Select an URL to view it in the browser that crashed.


Select an URL in the list or enter one here. CrashGuard opens it in the browser that crashed.


Opens the selected URL in the browser that crashed.


Displays the technical details of the crash, such as the crash address, the module name where the file crashed, the stack dump, and so on.


Saves the technical details of this crash in a text file.


Recent URL dialog box


Displays the programs that are currently running on your system. Select a program in the list and click FreezeCheck to let CrashGuard see if it is frozen.


Lets CrashGuard determine if the program is frozen or experiencing other problems. Use this only if you are experiencing continued problems with the crashed program.


Exception: A serious error that makes it impossible for a program to continue normally.


Deletes the contents of your SafeOriginal folder.


Shows you status information about the program that crashed, including whether the program saved a file. This window also gives you access to FreezeCheck in case you encounter additional problems.


When the crashed program tries to save a file, CrashGuard displays information about it here. Messages also appear here when SafeOriginal creates a copy of your file.


Clears the contents of the Statistics window.

Note: This does not affect the contents of your crash log.


Opens your crash log. This file contains the list of crashes CrashGuard has intercepted.


Gives you information about the current crash. Click Advanced to view the technical crash details.


When checked, SafeOriginal places a shortcut in the file’s original folder to the file it created in the SafeOriginal folder.


SafeOriginal failed to write

The SafeOriginal error message appears when SafeOriginal is unable to save data to your disk. This happens when:

Your disk is full.

You do not have permission to write to the disk.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Uninstall Norton CrashGuard
To uninstall Norton CrashGuard:

1	Click the Start button, then select Settings > Control Panel.

2	Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

3	Select Norton CrashGuard in the programs list and click Add/Remove.

4	Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

Note: You can also uninstall Norton CrashGuard by clicking the Start button and selecting Programs > Norton CrashGuard > Uninstall Norton CrashGuard.


Open Norton CrashGuard
To open Norton CrashGuard:

Click the Start button, then select Programs > Norton CrashGuard > Norton CrashGuard.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Open CrashGuard settings
To open CrashGuard settings:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Settings in the main window.

3	Click General, SafeOriginal, or Advanced tabs to change settings.

4	Click OK to apply the changes.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Turn on SafeOriginal
To turn on SafeOriginal:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Settings in the main window.

3	Click the SafeOriginal tab.

4	Check Enable SafeOriginal and click OK to apply the change.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Delete SafeOriginal files
To delete SafeOriginal files:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Settings in the main window.

3	Click the SafeOriginal tab.

4	Click Delete Now.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Change where SafeOriginal stores its files
To change where SafeOriginal stores its files:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Settings in the main window.

3	Click the SafeOriginal tab.

4	In the SafeOriginal Options group box, click Browse.

5	Select a new folder and click OK twice.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Change how often SafeOriginal deletes its files
To change how often SafeOriginal deletes its files:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Settings in the main window.

3	Click the SafeOriginal tab.

4	Change the number of days in the SafeOriginal Delete Options group box and click OK to apply the change.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Add CrashGuard options to the Close Program window
To add CrashGuard options to the Close Program window:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Settings in the main window.

3	Check Enhance Close Program Window to add AntiFreeze and FreezeCheck to the Close Program window. (The Close Program window appears when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.)

4	Click OK to apply the changes and return to the main window.

Note: Under Windows NT, AntiFreeze and FreezeCheck are not available when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Test CrashGuard
To test CrashGuard:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Settings. Then click the Advanced tab.

3	To generate either a 16-bit exception or a 32-bit exception, click the corresponding Test button.

4	Select the type of crash you would like to test. Then click Test Crash.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Open CrashGuard statistics
To open CrashGuard statistics:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard. Click the Start button and select Programs > Norton CrashGuard > Norton CrashGuard.

2	Click Statistics.

Note: If you suspect a program is crashing more than it should, you can use statistics to analyze that program. Click Clear Statistics to remove all of the data so you know where you started. When you refer back to Statistics at a later time, you will know how often it crashed since the time you last cleared Statistics.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Open your crash log
To open your crash log:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard and click Statistics.

2	Click View Log.

3	Refer to Technical Crash Details to decipher the crash log.

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Save a file in a crashed program
To save a file in a crashed program:

1	Identify the program that crashed. Crash Assistant displays the name of the program that crashed in the Crash Information section.

2	Check the status indicators. These indicators display how impaired the program and your system are. They also tell you whether SafeOriginal is enabled or disabled.

3	Select a recovery option. Depending on the crash, Crash Assistant gives you two or three recovery options. Crash Advisor recommends a recovery option based on your program and system status.

VitalSave saves your file and, in most cases, closes your program. If VitalSave is listed, it is generally the safest option to save your file.

Revive tries to fix the crash, then returns you to your program. If you choose Revive, be aware that the program’s controls and functionality might be impaired or might not work at all. Even if the program appears to function normally, you should save your work immediately.

Terminate, which is the only option Windows gives you, is always one of the options. It closes the program without saving your data.

Recommendation: If your goal is to save the file, click VitalSave. If VitalSave is not an option, click Revive to return to the program.

4	Restart the program or Windows.

By default, Crash Assistant displays a crash summary, and gives you the option to restart the program or Windows. Since crashes can impair other parts of your system, it is always a good idea to restart Windows after you experience a crash.

5	Reopen the file.

It is always a good idea to reopen the file that crashed and make sure your changes were saved. Many programs place the last-accessed files in the File menu. To save time looking for the file you were working on, open your file as shown below.

6	Check the SafeOriginal file.

If the file saved by VitalSave was damaged during the crash, open the SafeOriginal file to see if you lost any data. CrashGuard places a link to the SafeOriginal file in the same location as the original file.

7	Save the SafeOriginal file.

If the SafeOriginal file contains information you need, you should save it to another location since SafeOriginal deletes its files based on the number of days you have in settings. If the original is corrupted, save the SafeOriginal file over the original file.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Recover from a crash in your web browser
To recover from a crash in your web browser:

1	Identify the program that crashed. When your web browser crashes, you are generally not as concerned with saving a file, but you do not want to retrace the steps you took to find this page.

2	Check the program and system status indicators. These indicators display how impaired the program and your system are.

3	Select a recovery option. When your web browser crashes, QuickReload replaces VitalSave.

QuickReload closes your browser and reloads it with the current page.

Revive tries to fix the crash, then returns you to your program. If you choose Revive, be aware that the program’s controls and functionality might be impaired or might not work at all.

Terminate closes the program. If you have important data unsaved in another open program, the page you have open in your browser probably is not as important as the unsaved data in the other program, so Terminate would be the best option.

Recommendation: If your goal is to return to the same page in your browser, click QuickReload.

4	Expect more problems. If Crash Assistant experiences more problems with the web page you are trying to load, it displays a window requesting that you select another page. Since pages themselves can cause your browser to crash, selecting another page or viewing that page in another browser could solve the problem.

5	Restart the program or Windows.

Since QuickReload restarts your browser for you, you do not have to restart it again. You should still restart Windows at your earliest convenience.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Keep working in a crashed program
To keep working in a crashed program:

1	Identify the program that crashed. Follow the same steps as the previous examples, finding out what program crashed and making sure your system is stable.

2	Check the program and system status indicators. These indicators display how impaired the program and your system are.

3	Select a recovery option.

VitalSave saves your file and, in most cases, closes your program. If VitalSave is listed, it is generally the safest option to save your file.

Revive tries to fix the crash, then returns you to your program. If you choose Revive, be aware that the program’s controls and functionality might be impaired or might not work at all. Even if the program appears to function normally, you should save your work immediately.

Terminate, which is the same as the Close option Windows gives you, is always one of the options. It closes the program without saving your data.

Recommendation: Since your goal is to return to the program and continue working, click Revive.

4	Expect more problems. If Crash Assistant encounters more problems with the program, it continues to fix them unless the problems get worse or you system stability changes.

5	Save your work immediately. The program might let you continue working, or it might crash again.

Since the likelihood of another crash increases after the first crash, you should restart the program that crashed at your earliest convenience.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Diagnose a problem when an alarm does not appear
To diagnose a problem when an alarm does not appear:

1	Open FreezeCheck. The easiest way to access FreezeCheck is to double-click the Crash Monitor icon in your taskbar.

You can also press Ctrl+Alt+Del on your keyboard or select FreezeCheck in CrashGuard’s main window.

2	Select the frozen program in the list and click FreezeCheck.

3	Read the FreezeCheck information.

This tells you CrashGuard’s diagnosis of the problem. The program might be frozen, or it might be busy completing a task.

4	Select a recovery option.

Your recovery options are similar to crash recovery options, but AntiFreeze replaces Revive. Depending on the program that is frozen, VitalSave or QuickReload might appear as well.

AntiFreeze tries to unfreeze the frozen program and return control of the program to you. If you choose AntiFreeze, be aware that the program controls and functionality might be impaired or might not work at all. Even if the program appears to function normally, you should save your work immediately.

Terminate closes the program without saving your data.

5	Expect more problems.

Once you have saved your file or completed the task you needed to finish, close the program and restart it to stop related problems before they start. If you do experience more problems with the program, try another recovery option, or even try the same recovery option again. If you continue to experience severe problems, consider Terminating the program and restarting Windows.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Turn off crash protection
To turn off crash protection:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard and click Settings.

2	Click the Advanced tab.

3	Uncheck 32-bit crashes, 16-bit crashes, or Blue-screen crashes to prevent Crash Monitor from intercepting those crashes. To prevent Crash Monitor from opening, uncheck all three crash types.

4	Click OK to save your changes. The next time you start your computer, Crash Monitor will not open if you unchecked all crash types.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Turn on crash protection
To turn on crash protection:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard and click Settings.

2	Click the Advanced tab.

3	Check 32-bit crashes, 16-bit crashes, or Blue-screen crashes to let Crash Monitor intercept those crashes. To let Crash Monitor intercept all crash types, check all three options.

4	Click OK to save your changes.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Read the User's Guide
To read the User's Guide:

1	Install Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer if it not already installed. Click  [image]  here for installation instructions.

2	Insert the CrashGuard installation CD in your CD-ROM drive and click Browse CD.

3	Open the “Manual” folder and double-click NCG4.PDF. The Acrobat Reader opens displaying the CrashGuard User’s Guide.

4	Use the Table of Contents or Index to view a particular topic.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Install Adobe Acrobat Reader
To install Adobe Acrobat Reader:

1	Insert the CrashGuard installation CD in your CD-ROM drive.

2	Use Explorer to navigate to the Manual folder.

3	Double-click AR32E301.EXE to start the installation.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Exit CrashGuard
To exit CrashGuard:

1	Right-click the Crash Monitor icon in the system tray (near the clock on your desktop).

2	Select Exit from the menu that appears.

CrashGuard closes, but opens again the next time you restart Windows.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Turn off CrashGuard splash screens
To turn off CrashGuard splash screens:

1	Open Norton CrashGuard and click Settings.

2	In the General tab, check Disable Splash Screens and click OK.

Click here  [image]  for more information.


Update Norton CrashGuard
To update Norton CrashGuard:

1	Open CrashGuard.

2	Click LiveUpdate.

LiveUpdate connects you to a Symantec server to see if product or document updates are available for CrashGuard. This provides you with the most up-to-date crash protection.

3	Select the updates you would like to download.

4	Follow the instructions on the screen to finish updating CrashGuard.

Click here  [image]  for information about updating other programs on your computer.


Update your programs and hardware drivers

When you purchase CrashGuard, you receive a coupon for a discounted subscription to Norton Web Services. Norton Web Services includes LiveUpdate Pro, which can find and install new software updates and hardware drivers on your computer.

When you experience repeated crashes in a particular program, an update from the product’s manufacturer might solve the problem. You can use your web browser and internet connection to visit the manufacturer’s web site and hunt for updates, or you can let Norton Web Services do the work for you.

LiveUpdate Pro runs partly on your computer, and partly over the Internet. It scans your computer to see which programs you installed on your computer. It also scans your computer hardware to see what drivers you use. Then it connects to the Norton Update Library to match your software and hardware to the updates it contains. If an update is available, LiveUpdate Pro lets you know.

To subscribe to Norton Web Services:

1	Locate your Norton Web Services coupon in your CrashGuard box.

2	Open your Internet connection and browse to http://www.nortonweb.com.

3	Click Subscribe in the navigation bar on the left.

4	Read the information on the pages and on your subscription coupon to help you finish the subscription process.

Note: Symantec does not charge for updates for CrashGuard, or the updates that are part of your free subscription to Norton Web Services. However, your normal Internet access fees still apply.

Click here  [image]  for information about updating Norton CrashGuard.