Good News

I paid $104.00 to have the Techie retrieve my data from my hard drive. I went home popped in the DVD into my laptop and presto I had all my files back. I have a note written above my computer screen which reads "back-up", only I know the story behind those words.

The Techie called me this afternoon to tell me that they have located the problem: "the power source is faulty", he said in a smug voice. I asked him what caused the problem? He told me it was either faulty to begin with or it shorted out due to a power surge. The latter seems somewhat dubious to me. If that was the case would not my printer also been affected by the alleged power surge? The Techie told me that they would have to order the part from the company and then put it into my computer. I told him that the other Techie I spoke with yesterday thought there was something wrong with the hard drive. I told him to make sure that everything is in good working order before I pick up my computer.

Perhaps I should take a course in computer repair and hang out a little shingle: "Computer Repairs Here", another thing I could put on my retirement "to Do List".

Well, I am happy again and much relieved that I did not have to redo all that work. I learned my lesson.


Till next time, Cheers

Computer Crash Blues

This morning I turned on my computer and everything seemed normal. NOT. Little did I know within minutes my computer would freeze up as I was backing up my files. What did I do? What I have done hundreds of times before: held down the power button until the computer turned off; then waited the usual 1-1000-2-1000 -3-1000 etc. until I reached 10-1000 and turned on my computer. I heard a little whirl and saw the little light blinking and that was it. My monitor remained BLACK. I repeated previous ritual three more times. And still, NOTHING.

I picked up the telephone and dialed the local computer techie and he told me to bring it in. He plugged the CPU in and he got the same response. This confirmed to him that I wasn't lying. He then told me that I had to get in line and wait, and if I wanted to jump ahead of the line I could fork over $24.95 along with the $80.00 he needed for him to back up my personal data on my hard drive. I asked him how he could do that if the CPU won't even load? He grinned sheepishly as he informed me "they have ways" to do that sort of thing. Ca-ching $$$.

Since I need those files on Monday morning I really have no choice as he has me over a barrel. I need to pay the $80.00 + the $24.95 regardles of what is actually wrong with the computer, to get him to retrive my data.

Last night when I was putting on the finishing touches to a file and a power point presentation, a little thought crossed my mind: "you need to transfer your files over to your memory stick"( it happened to be plugged into the computer at the time). I pushed that thought out of my head and thought I am too tired and will do it tomorrow.

I can tell you one thing: from this day forward, I will NEVER PUT OFF BACKING UP MY DATA!

I hooked up my laptop and plugged in my main screen and wireless key board and I am off to the races. I have a strange feeling that I will be redoing some of my work before the weekend is up.

Right about now, I feel like the guy in the picture, like I am going to be reinventing the wheel.

Till next time, Cheers (I don't feel too cheery at the moment)

Jaime