I Need a Computer Fix
My computer
crapped out Thursday. It still worked,
but the keyboard was dead. I found a
popup touchpad-type keyboard, but that was really a pain to try and use. I needed a computer fix.
I took the
machine to the Geek Squad. These Geeks
are computer savvy and pretty smart, or so it seems. The thing about any subject where someone
knows more than you, it is easy to think they know everything. Most of these techs know a lot, almost no one
knows everything.
The first
guy that looked at my computer told me the keyboard was shot. I would have to send it out and it would take
maybe 4-6 weeks for them to replace a new keyboard.
That was
unacceptable. I could buy a new cheap
laptop (they are getting cheap if you don’t need a ton of fancy stuff and
memory to store and watch movies and music) for almost as much as it would cost
to fix my old laptop. Beyond the cost, I
really did not want to lose any files or go through the pain of resetting
everything where I want it and restoring all my “Favorites.”
I explained
to the guy that I did not think it was a hardware issue. My battery ran down to zero as I thought it
was charging, but I had a bad connection.
As soon as I plugged it in successfully, my keyboard did not
function. I thought this to not be a coincidence. Another Geek was consulted and he agreed it
was probably a software issue but I would still have to send it away for
probably one to three days.
This was
reluctantly acceptable.
I was
without a computer for a day…I needed a fix.
I needed information and had nowhere to go, I needed a fix. I needed to see who was blogging, I needed a
fix. I needed to post on my blog and
read comments. I needed a fix. Without my computer being fixed, I needed a
fix.
The withdrawal
pains were awful.
Friday I got
a call, the keyboard was toast and my best cheapest solution would be a
wireless keyboard as a replacement.
Crap! I figured I would buy a new
computer and go through the pains involved with getting things the way I like
it, and also get a wireless keyboard and be a multi computer owner.
I told the
guy on the phone,
“Crap, I really still believe it is
not hardware, it is just too much of a coincidence for the keyboard to crap out
the exact time that my battery went to zero.”
Geek on the
phone gave me a bull shit explanation how it could happen and I resigned myself
to plan “b.”
An hour
later I got a call from the same Geek.
“Good news, It’s fixed, when you told
me about the battery I figured it out and found the issue.”
“Excellent! Thank you.”
I did not
mention my disgust that Geek-one did not pass on the battery information to Geek-two,
I was just glad Geek-two fixed the problem.
Saturday
afternoon I picked up the computer.
Keyboard works, no files lost. I
had to remember or get a bunch of new passwords for several applications, that
was painful, but not horrible…OK it border-line horrible.
I’ve spent
several hours getting a computer fix with my fixed computer. It is a warm glow
of relief.
I don’t ever
want to be in need of a fix again.
I totally panic when my computer has a problem. Thank God my go-to guy is my son!!
ReplyDeleteI remember being without a computer for a while, the first couple of hours I'm nuts, then I start reading a book or watching dvds and I'm okay with missing out on stuff because I know I can catch up later.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to say much because I swear my laptop has ears. However that doesn't stop me from sympathizing with you whilst admiring your ability to stay calm (!).
ReplyDeleteComputers, like cars, should work when you turn them on and keep on working until you feel the need for a fancy new one. That's how it would be if I was in charge of the world.
ReplyDeleteBest get yourself a backup then. Maybe a tablet?
ReplyDeleteI can use my phone if I don't have a computer. Works just fine. I'm glad you're back online.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ☺
Phone works for some stuff, but can be painful to navigate and just try and write a 500 word blog and post it from the phone.
DeleteI have my phone and an ipad by now as a sort of backup - I'd be able to read, if not post a blog. But there was a time, not many years ago, where I would have started going through withdrawal symptoms if I couldn't check my blog regularly. I've almost got it under control now. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteBingo, there may be an adequate backup in my future.
DeleteI had a case of sympathy panic here. So glad your geek guy solved the problem. Being cut off is brutal. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse with my laptop. I hate the laptop keyboard and have never used it.
ReplyDeletewhen you told me about the battery I figured it out ..... it always works that way.... they are smart to take inputs from us and then solve the problem.
ReplyDeleteI was worried about you. Thank goodness it was ONLY your computer. I feel your pain! Even though I have Shiba my Toshiba laptop upstairs, and New Delly my (formerly Dell but now Genius-custom-built) computer in my dark basement lair...my internet connection is what does me in. I am feeling a sympathy warm glow of relief for you. And it has nothing to do with a dirty-water cocktail.
ReplyDeleteI'm a tech pack rat, I always have older computers around that I can dust off if the primary has an issue. But then, I have software that copies the files and most of the settings for me so that makes the transition easier whether I'm going forward or backward.
ReplyDeleteBut that's me. And I have to keep it vague around Queenie as she is a "toss it they day before you no longer need it" sort. What she don't know won't hurt her. Until the day AFTER I die, then there'll be hell to pay for me!! ;-)
Get a small tablet as a back up, and at least you can read blogs and post if this ever happens again. Maybe the family can save up and get you one for Father's Day as a group gift.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain...I get twitchy if I'm away from a connection "to the world" for any length of time.
ReplyDelete