Computer Crash Blues

Sounds like a song but it sure isn't sweet music.

More correctly, I suppose I should say Windows Vista crash blues. Yesterday for no reason I can figure my computer went to sleep and didn't wake up. Many efforts and scary screens with uncomfortable messages later, I gave up and called Tech Support. And yes, for the fee of $100 plus tax, the young man would be glad to assist me. I am now the proud owner of the questionably valuable HP tech support for one year.

I will say that this tech seemed to care about not losing my files. We weren't successful in that goal, and I thank my stars that I had most photos and important documents on an external hard drive as backup. At work, I save everything to a thumb drive so I can take it with me as needed. At home, I'm not so careful but do try to back up to the external drive every month and more often if I remember. So I lost a few things but it was not the disaster it could have been. The biggest loss was Microsoft Word, and I ordered the new Word 7 anyway so that's not a big problem either.

The worst headache was this: since my computer was restored to its new-out-of-the-box state, there were many updates that needed to be installed. The HP tech promised to call me this morning so we could install only the necessary updates. He didn't call and I had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, so I called Tech Support again. Got a different guy and we had a serious language-understanding-compatibility issue. I don't speak his language and he sure didn't speak West Virginian.

After a frustrating hour, he said I did not have to install ANY of the updates. Now every one was listed as a "security update" to prevent someone from doing something bad to my computer. I didn't need them? I was pretty sure I did! I figured some newer ones pre-empted earlier updates and that was what I needed to know. I got nowhere with the tech, so tonight on my own I uploaded the damn things. Enough to make a granny cuss, but it's done and I hope I didn't mess anything up.

Oddly, even with the crash, my internet still works. I'm not sure why that is so, and will call my satellite company tomorrow to be sure everything is okay--I mean, the guy told me I would lose all software installed after I bought the computer, so I'm not sure just how this satellite thingie works. I have a CD so I assume it operates by software?

Then there's the printer to re-install. And when the Word CDs arrive, I'll have to get that installed. After that, I should be back to somewhere near normal.

You know, never in my life did I want to learn computer stuff. But if I don't do it I'm stuck, so learn and fumble I do. I tell myself this will prevent me from getting Alzheimer's. Reckon it's true? There has to be some reward for such aggravation!

Uh-Oh--Computer Blues

My computer died last night--it is the "MahtherBawd," according to the Tech in India.

The motherboard was replaced about a year ago. Weird how it only lasted a year--my last one was in the computer for 8 years, and is still working for my son. So why does this computer seem to eat them? Who knows. Tis a bummer for sure.

Posting will be a bit limited to when I can get online at other places, unless I do what I've been thinking about and go buy a laptop as a backup.

I will write soon to tell you all about the storytelling trip this week. What a blast! Photos and more when I get a chance. Meantime, today is town day--breakfast at our favorite spot, trips to the bank, feedstore, Goodwill, library, etc. Then tonight is the library's art auction benefit, and I am looking forward to that. They only do it every two years and often there is beautiful art to be had for good prices. Plus food and friends for fun.

I hope everyone is having a glorious fall weekend.

Still computerless after all these days, Labor Day, and a Quick Book Review.

Latest in the saga: HP sends an empty box (while I'm off at a conference). I have to pack up the PC and ship it back to them. Then they repair it and send it back. Who knows how long? My guess is at least another week. No sign of the satellite modem yet.

In the meantime, I've been busy! A wonderful Labor Day weekend (pics as soon as the PC is back) with a daughter-in-law, niece-in-law, and a niece who had not been to my house in 24 years. We talked and talked, went up on the ridge to stargaze, drank a good bit of wine, looked at old family photographs, and enjoyed getting to know each other without the company of our men.

They went to the Sternwheel Regatta in Charleston to see the GinBlossoms, I stayed home and planted flowers, weeded and read the latest in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.

This one is titled The Good Husband of Zebra Drive. As with the others, the pace is slow, light and thoughtful, and makes me want to visit Botswana. I listened to the first book, a good idea because now I know how to pronounce names like Mr. J.L.B. Matkone and Mma Ramotswe. I enjoy the insight into the culture and way of thought, and especially the humor. Oddly, the author is a Scottish man, but when I am reading I feel sure the writer is a Botswana woman of "traditional build."

What do lightning and computers have in common?

--The ability to leave you dead without warning.

At least it's only my computer--and the saltellite modem for internet--that are dead, and no real people.

The bad storm yesterday caught us offguard, and the lightning apparently ran in on the satellite and nailed the modem, surge protector and the PC along its path. So sad--it took me weeks to get everything set up to my liking last spring, and now I get to do it all over again!

I spent two hours on the telephone--first with the satellite company support. Guess where they are located? India. It was a struggle to understand each other--her accent was difficult and her choice of words nothing like what I would use. Wall socket? What's that?

After an involved conversation, I tackled HP Support. Guess where? You guessed it, India. An even more magnificient struggle ensued. "I don't understand you," I must have said a hundred times. "Please repeat what you just said." Over and over and over. His reponse. "Right. I am speaking very clearly for you." Over and over and over. Bless his heart, Yesu never gave up or got irritated. Can't say I was as patient.

In the end, Hughesnet determined that the modem was fried (new one, my expense $200). HP decided the PC motherboard was fried (their expense, it's under warranty). I determined that I will try very hard before purchasing another PC to be sure they offer support in the US. I'm not against anyone having a job. But we have got to be able to understand each other, and last night was a lesson in frustration and lack of communication.

I have to admit they probably thought I wasn't speaking English either. They didn't understand hillbilly, that's for sure. I realized that I needed to slow down and use my "professional librarian" voice, erasing as much of my accent and colloquialisms as possible. That is not easy. I wonder if my compadres in this farce were trying as hard as I was to be understood.

Bottom line, I won't be posting much for a week or so, until all the new stuff arrives, I figure out how to install it, and get things up and running again. God help me, Vista was difficult enough the first time around, and now I get to do it all over again!