Monday afternoon we had an absolutely delightful thunderstorm. I was actually caught up on housework so grabbed a book and stretched out to read. And then the ceiling shook. Badly. And our smoke detector that has not worked for several (umm...wow...years) started going off. And the lights flickered/popped. When all was said and done, we lost our answering machine and two landline phones, my external hard drive and part of my sanity.
After spending 1.5 hours on the phone with AT&T, replacing a cord, spending an entire DAY copying files that I had not got around to backing up yet, and finalizing some design work that needed to be done soon, I made it to Best Buy today. Turns out AT&T was wrong. There was nothing wrong with our computer, nor the internet card. There was one setting that re-installed itself, and it worked fine. My hard drive...we were able to salvage its guts (and yes Richpo the Magnificent, if you're reading this, I realize that's not the techie term for it). I did have to purchase a new skin for it, but all its contents are now safe at home on my desk, still in their new box.
So we now have internet (after a brief and frustrating experience of the computer not wanting to recognize the keyboard so I could re-login to everything!), and I am so very thankful that we didn't have to get a new computer or send this one off for a month again while we wait for repairs. I had actually entertained the possibility if we had to replace our black and silver monster, then perhaps it was time to disconnect from the world. And that is an interesting and perplexing thought indeed. I'll save those ponderings for another day. Meanwhile, it's good to be viral. :)
After spending 1.5 hours on the phone with AT&T, replacing a cord, spending an entire DAY copying files that I had not got around to backing up yet, and finalizing some design work that needed to be done soon, I made it to Best Buy today. Turns out AT&T was wrong. There was nothing wrong with our computer, nor the internet card. There was one setting that re-installed itself, and it worked fine. My hard drive...we were able to salvage its guts (and yes Richpo the Magnificent, if you're reading this, I realize that's not the techie term for it). I did have to purchase a new skin for it, but all its contents are now safe at home on my desk, still in their new box.
So we now have internet (after a brief and frustrating experience of the computer not wanting to recognize the keyboard so I could re-login to everything!), and I am so very thankful that we didn't have to get a new computer or send this one off for a month again while we wait for repairs. I had actually entertained the possibility if we had to replace our black and silver monster, then perhaps it was time to disconnect from the world. And that is an interesting and perplexing thought indeed. I'll save those ponderings for another day. Meanwhile, it's good to be viral. :)
Comments
You know there are programs (the thingies that come on the shiny, round golden discs) that you can install to automatically back up files for you?
And by the use of your exquisite computer vocabulary I probably don't need to mention this, but they do sell good surge protectors to protect phone and electrical lines from transient electrical spikes? And I'm not talking about the cheapo stuff you can buy at RadioShack or WalMart. The good ones are pricey but definitely worth every penny. Especially if it staves off a Monica Meltdown.
Oh, and it's Richpo the _Un_magnificent. Just so you know... ;-)