A method includes: providing a device having a counter that stores a cycle count measuring a number of clock cycles since the device was last turned ON or a timer that stores an elapsed time since the device was last turned ON; (a) flagging a first or additional defined memory location when the cycle count or the elapsed time reaches a first or additional first milestone; (b) unflagging the first or additional defined memory location when the cycle count or the elapsed time reaches a second or additional second milestone, wherein the second or additional second milestone is greater than the first or additional first milestone; (c) determining that the device is turned OFF and then ON again; repeating steps (a) through (c) a specified number of times; and resetting the device or turning a program ON when all the first or additional memory locations reach a specified flag configuration.