When two programs are waiting for the same signal from each other, they are said to be at a deadlock. In Microsoft Windows, when a program becomes deadlocked, you can End Task one of the programs to resolve the deadlock. In Linux, if a program or process becomes deadlocked, you can kill the process.

If a program cannot be end tasked or killed or the operating system is deadlocked, your only option to recover the computer would be to reboot.

Database terms, Dead halt, Freeze, Software terms

  • What should I do when a computer freezes or locks up?
  • Windows freezes or stops responding frequently.