Monday, November 15, 2010

It's Been A Bad 4 Days...!


I've been using a laptop for my main computer for about 2 years now.

Originally the laptop was a back-up for my desk top PC, but when the original desk top went belly-up I started using the laptop full time.

All was well until about 4 days ago, when I started having trouble with some of the functions of the laptop. I thought that it was a hang over from the virus I had picked up last week. It took about 2 or 3 days to find and clear the virus, but I finally got it all...or at least I thought I had!

Suddenly, 4 days ago, Windows decided to shut down all the way! Nothing unusual for a Windows based PC, right? Things kept getting more and more strange until finally...POP! Died a permanent, blue screen death!

I called my oldest who works in the computer field (with a degree and everything, as he is more than willing to point out) and asked him if he happened to have a copy of Linux that I could put on my laptop and get it back to working! He did!

So, day before yesterday, Ashley came over and he spent all of the afternoon and most of the night getting the laptop set up again! Back in business! That night and yesterday, I started having trouble again with the sound and with the various programs! Today, belly-up again!

Major Bummer! So, I went over to Mom's and borrowed (read stole!) her PC to use until I could get another! Before you jump on me, I did get her permission before I moved it!

Anyway, here I sit with a busted laptop, working with a borrowed PC and I'm trying to remember all of the things that I didn't back up before the laptop went south! I know better than to have files that I haven't backed up, but knowing and doing are often two different things, right?

Hopefully all the bad stuff is over with for now! I'm too old to deal with this kind of drama...I like my life to be simple, ya know?

C'mon, let's get some fresh coffee and sit outside. I need the company 'cause I'm tired of talking to myself! My cat is starting to stare at me in a funny way!

19 comments:

chinasyndrome said...

HJ,I feel ya Bro,hate drama of any kind.Computers are great when they do what they are supposed to do.But when they start messing up Oh boy!Sounds like an episode for tru tv When good computers go bad! Ha Ha.Thanks for the coffee I did my part to give kitty a break.Have a great day buddy!

China
III

Momlady said...

What does it say about us that we depend on our computers so much? I have a love/hate relationship with mine and with Windows. I do miss it when it isn't functioning properly and I can't read the blogs I follow, etc. Hopefully you can get everything straightened out. Have a better day and thank you for the coffee.

Sixbears said...

Computers can drive a person mad. Best sit back and sip a coffee. Today I'm sipping an organic fair trade home roasted blend of Peruvian and Sumantran. More fun to play with coffee than computers.

Good luck sorting out the computer issues!

Anonymous said...

I love my pc, all my friends are in there... LOL

When your cat starts looking at you funny, the cause is usually caffeine deficiency; in my experience.

AV

Anonymous said...

Sorry for the computer woes, I've seen the blue screen of death and it is not a happy feeling. I hope you can find a solution for it soon.

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One,
This is sad news, but a new toy is always fun and the prices have come down some. I have the old lap top which is my carry around when I travel. This summer picked up a virus too. but luckily someone got rid of it for me, no more problems. The life span is not ver long as far as I can tell. I have a new Windows 7 desk top for home and I love it.Has a 20 in. screen. Of course this one was high price and if I have to buy a new one for travel I will look for low cost. I still love HP no matter what.
Lets sit out side and talk about what comes next in a nice calm setting.

HermitJim said...

Hey China...
Part of the problem is that we forget just how much we depend on the 'puters to stay in touch!

Heck, even my telephone (Magic Jack) is tied to my PC!

Guess I'm getting old and grouchy!

Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Momlady...
Looks like we have all become prisoners of technology, doesn't it?

Right now everything is working fine, and hopefully I won't experience any more problems! Those I DON'T need!

I appreciate the visit today!


Hey Sixbears...
I have found that computers are a lot like kids! Sometimes you just need to take a break from them and spend a little time in solitude!

My kids are both grown and I live alone...but when the cat starts avoiding me as well, it's time to calm down and have some more coffee!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!


Hey AV...
I know exactly what you mean, my friend! My friends live in the same spot!

Cats do have a way of letting you know just when you are going overboard! I've got the battle scars to prove it!

I appreciate you coming by today!


Hey Anon 7:45...
Seems to happen when we get a tad too complacent! Sort of teaches us a lesson, I guess!

Thanks for dropping in today!


Hey JoJo...
Glad you found someone to help clear up your virus problem before it got bad!

Sounds like you are pretty much good to go as far as the PCs go!

How is the knee doing? I do hope it is coming along OK!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!

Ben in Texas said...

I feel your pain, WE ( the ones who invented all this stuff in the first place) have been pushed aside and left in the dust by a bunch of kids who have no respect for us ole Farts!!!

I got a "geek" That I call on occasion and he just does his magic and it's all good again.

Dang Kids!!
( I "may" have to call him for something that would have been second nature to me 5 years ago.

Dang Computers!!!

HermitJim said...

Hey Ben...
Pretty bad when the Grandkids can figure things out that have us stumped, isn't it?

Like you once said " getting old ain't for wimps!"

We certainly created a monster when we brought on the PCs!

Hey, thanks, buddy, for coming over today!

Dizzy-Dick said...

Hey HJ, hope you get your computer problems worked out. I have one sitting on my desk that will not boot up. It keeps telling me that a chip is running at the wrong speed. Got a tech $$ in here to fix it. It was working when he left, the next day it wouldn't boot up - same problem. I turn it on once in awhile to see if it has healed itself. How long does a computer take to heal itself??

Mechanic in Illinois said...

It takes a computer to really foul things up. Good luck with your programing.

Mechanic in Illinois said...

It takes a computer to really foul things up. Good luck with your programing.

HermitJim said...

Hey Dizzy...
Wonder if we shouldn't just try the "laying on of hands" with some of these computers? I probably would try that, especially if I had a hammer in my hand during the "laying on"!

As far as the "self healing"...that's a good question! Probably only happens when you go and buy a new one! You know, like how you find something that's lost only when you go and buy a replacement!

You have a great day and thanks for stopping by this morning!


Hey Mechanic...
Never realized what a mess I could make until I started messing around with computers, that's for sure!

My solution? Just break down and replace it! Then it will start working again and I'll have a spare!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!

Anonymous said...

Computers! I´m in a constant war with mine :-) :-) But it seems it helps to have Safari as a web surfer on my p.c. I´ve gotten fewer viruses since I started using that. But I guess the best thing is to have a Mac, but they just cost to much!!

I hope everything turns out great when You get a new one!
Christer.

Marjie said...

And your sad tale, kind sir, is why I'm OCD about backing up and whatnot. My kids laugh at me. But I can always just buy another computer and go on! Let's have a little more coffee while we sympathize with you.

Bob Mc said...

Remember how simple life was when all we had were type writers?

HossBoss said...

A geek firm I used once back in the late 80's when I lived in Virginia had the following printed at the bottom of their invoice:

Blessed are the pessimists, for they maketh backups!

I had need of their services because I managed to corrupt my config.sys and FAT on my personal computer. Before that service call, I didn't know what those things were ...by the time he had me up and running again, I had learned a lot. Most important lesson was the backup thing. Ha!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hi HermitJim, we've all had PC woes at one time or another. Last spring I also kept getting the infamous blue screen and the solution was buy a new desktop. Maybe your laptop is telling you that the holidays are coming and to treat yourself? SOmetimes it's less costly than to try a repair. Hope all works out and my friends seem to reside in my PC as well.

HermitJim said...

Hey Christer...
I've never used Safari, but I've heard good things about it.

I'm not sure that I want to use a MAC, but maybe if I could try one for a while...I'd like it!

Thanks for coming by today, my friend!


Hey Marjie...
I know that I should being that for a long time, but shame on me, for some reason I didn't !

You can bet that I will do so from now on!

Hey, thanks for coming by today!


Hey Bob...
Those were some simpler times for sure! Not nearly as much fun, but a lot more simple!

I sure am glad you could come by today!


Hey WWRWH...
I'm thinking I will get a new one this weekend! Right now I'm still using a borrowed one and that sorta sucks!

Gonna be one of those that back up from now on!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!


Hey Beatrice...
I do hate that dreaded "blue screen" for sure!

Oh well, these things happen, and I'll learn my lesson from this!Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!