Computer newbie, freeze problem

[Patiencepie]

My iMac just froze after working for two hours on an important document. I went to print and the spinning rainbow wheel of doom came up and stayed for at least 10 minutes. So I moved the curser around and went to the apple icon to see if I could "quit". Then I moved it over the spot light icon, then there was no response. The rainbow stopped but so did any connection between the mouse and the keyboard with the computer... I can move the curser about but nothing responds. I had music playing and went to change the volume on the keyboard and no response. Now I am sitting here looking at my document and I am afraid to turn off the computer and restart because I will lose that document. Too bad it doesn't automatically save like on the iPad. 1800 myapple will want money to talk me through it. I was wondering if anyone could advise me!

 

[Detrius]

Save more often. Write down what you can still see on the screen. Hope that your hard drive didn't die, too.