Okay, kids, let me put it to you straight - my computer died. It makes me so sad because she was only a year and half old. Is that normal for a Dell, or do you think it was a virus? She was fine on Saturday night, but then when I woke-up on Sunday and turned her on, she shut-down before she ever got going. On the fourth try she actually worked for about fifteen minutes. I read and responded to comments, and then, boom. Everything closed down and she shut-down. Now, all she'll do is get me to the first Dell page before she closes.
Obviously, I know nothing about computers, but I do know that Dell wants to extend me lots of credit, I get a discount from my place of employment, and I've become increasingly dependent on the internets. So, unless I want to actually go out and talk to people in person, (and lord knows, I can't have that) or try to fight with the homeless guys at the public library looking at porn to use the computers there,I'm going to have to buy me a new one.
I can only get on the internets at work during lunch and breaks, so my reading and commenting on blogs, will be a little sparse and my posting should happen at some point everyday during the week, but the content will be on the anorexic side until I can get me a new, tall silver crack pipe. Sorry, for the lameness, but that's kind of how I am.
14 comments:
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Computers and cars--two things I use too often to know so little about.
Heat sensor, heat sensor. Heat sensor. Lap top or desktop, clean that little baby out. It's astonishing how much dust gets in there and MORE astonishing how stubborn the machine get when the fans can't work well.
The above comes to you, courtesy of the Voice of Experience.
oh I am so sorry that just.... keep us posted - good luck
Trevor,
I'm right there with you. Can you imagine how great it would be if you could do more than kick and swear at your car or computer when it broke down?
Booda Baby,
Thanks. Okay, now that's the kind of info I'm looking for. So, now if I were a heat sensor, where would I be on a desktop computer?
Akelly,
I will. One way or the other, I plan on getting the problem fixed in the next couple of weeks.
Well, you only have to find the heat sensor (ooh, watch me get all laymens-terms-y)area/thingie, if the cleaning out the fan doesn't work. You don't even reallly have to mess with a 'heat sensor' - it's your fans and cooling apparatus(i) you care about.
You can actually SEE how the 'air duct' things don't let air flow if there's dust. Or something generally getting in the way of your fans' operation.
1. Before you enter your computer, BE SURE to discharge your electrical static stuff. Be grounded. (oh, this is JUST like life.)
2. Don't use your BIG vacuum cleaner. No no no. Use a little handheld one or one of those cans of blow-the-air-away from electronic pieces.
and then, 3. (BIG LESSON for me) REALLY TRULY TRULY, give all your air vents more room to breathe.
If you get it to live again I'd suggest installing AVG anti virus software, which is free as is Adaware, an anti spyware program. These should help keep your system clean.
It wouldn't surprise me if it's a hard drive problem. These days they are so densely packed with data that they have become very unreliable. Spinrite isn't free, but it is excellent at fixing hard-drives and would be cheaper than buying a replacement.
Failing that, do you have a kindly tech department where you work who could offer you some advice?
Hope this helps a little. Technology can be a bastard sometimes.
Hang in there. My blog misses you, but we can wait until it's all better.
Booda Baby,
Thanks so much. I'm going to try as soon as I get home and we'll see how it goes.
Mr Atrocity,
This guy who stayed at my house during RAGBRAI supposedly installed a bunch of anti-spyware stuff, but my virus protection is the cheap-ass kind that came free from my cable internet provider. I'm changing as soon as I get my computer up and running again.
Our tech support at work doesn't seem to be very kind, unfortunately. I have a friend who's good at this stuff, but his mother-in-law just got into a horrbile car accident last week, so he's a little busy. I'll figure itout, but thanks so much for the advice.
Fringes,
I'll still try to visit, it may just be a little more sporadic for a while.
Churlita,
Well shit, that sucks the big one! (no one is reading this over your shoulder are they?)
I have a love hate relationship with computers...When they work right I love 'em. I suppose I could do with out a computer. I could also do with out an arm....NOT.
(((Churlita))))
rel
I had a similiar problem recently and contacted Dell customer service. They were able to help me restore the computer to three days ago, when it was still working, and now I'm back in bidness.
If you get it going again try this
Click RUN
Type msconfig
then ok
Then on the General tab check that "normal start up" is checked
Then click on the Start up tab
scroll down and check for any non microsoft things that you dont recognise and make a note of them.
May be helpful when talking to help people.
Like I tell everyone with computer problems, dump your PC and buy an Apple. No virus, no spyware.
And no computer is no excuse. If you must, you can comment on my blog via snail mail, but a comment is expected promptly.
Rel,
I hear you. I feel the same way about my computer and my arm.
TLB,
God, I hope Dell can help me. I'm calling them tonight. I have to try everything in bits, or else my head will explode, so tech support is my next bit.
Les Quinn,
If it ever lets me get to that point, I will. Right now I just get the Dell insgnia and it looks like it's going to start up but it either shuts down or repeats the same two things over and over.
KIller,
I know. I read you yesterday, but I will comment today for sure. Even if it means getting fired. You and Liz are THAT important to me.
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