Posted on 07/26/2018 2:47:33 PM PDT by Zionist Conspirator
I'm sure you've all noticed that I have been missing for a while. Unfortunately, my computer conked out on the 11th of this month and I have been without one since. I also don't know if I will ever get it back.
I'm very disappointed (to put it mildly) that a brand new Dell Inspiron computer, purchased at Best Buy on Feb.15 of last year (with help from a total stranger on the Internet) didn't even last a year and a half. It is in the shop but all signs point to it being unfixable.
It was already acting a bit wonky three months or so ago (about the time the warranty expired), but it had been prompting me for weeks to run "support assist." Yet every time I tried it was unresponsive. I eventually decided to simply pay no more attention to the prompts.
Then suddenly on the morning of the 11th I received two prompts. At the second one I clicked on it and, wonder of wonders, it actually began to run! But I thought I noticed my browser still open (all other programs are supposed to close). I tried to close my browser but my cursor was frozen at the bottom of the screen. I couldn't stop or pause support assist because my cursor was frozen. I hit control/alt/delete but couldn't click on it because of my stupid frozen cursor. I hit "escape" and nothing happened. So I did the usual last resort: I turned off the power and then turned it back on. The problem was, the tower refused to come on.
I unplugged and replugged the main cord (something I've learned to do) and it still wouldn't come on. So I took it to the shop that evening.
They guy there said it obviously needed a new power source. He ordered one, it got lost in the mail, and he finally had to pick it up at the post office. Then he brought it back to the shop and installed it but it still wouldn't come on. Please note that it was now the 19th.
He called the Dell company and they suggested a short had developed in the motherboard. He ordered one, and it just came today (the 26th, when I have been without a computer for fifteen days). Trouble was, they sent the wrong one and he is having to send it back and reorder it.
On top of all this the business itself is usually closed. I've always used it, but apparently things aren't like they used to be. Most of the time when I call I don't even get a chance to record a message; it just says please call again later.
So now I must wait at least another week while another motherboard comes in, and when it does it also may be the wrong one, or it may turn out that a motherboard won't fix it either. Or if it does, perhaps it's so messed up by now that it won't be usable.
As I said, I bought this thing brand new less than seventeen months before it quit. I am really upset, and right now I have no idea when, or if I will get my computer back. This whole thing is like a bad sitcom.
I am at the library now, but you see how long it's taken me to let you all know about this. Meanwhile I am subscribing to DSL without a computer to access it. If I can't have this one fixed or replaced, I will have to cancel my Internet subscription and then I will never get on from home again.
They have no business making brand-spanking new high quality name computers that don't even make it to a year and a half.
Oh, and there's something I forgot to add: back on the 11th, when I was taking my computer to the shop, somebody trying to pass slow traffic was headed right for me in my lane forcing me to slam on the brakes and sending my already damaged computer onto the floorboard hard.
I don't know why I have such horrible luck with computers. They seem to hate me. I've been in this situation many, many times over the past 21 years, but this is the longest amount of time I've been hung out to dry without really knowing anything. I can't explain how depressed I am. I can't afford to buy a computer every single year, but I can't afford to have an Internet subscription that I can't access. Things are bad all the way around.
To be honest, at this point I don't know when or even whether I will be able to log on from home again. I am pessimistic by nature, and right now things aren't looking too good. I can only tell you that if I still don't have a computer after a month, there's no need to continue paying for the subscription. At that point someone else who has been waiting for a DSL connection will take my place and I'll never be able to subscribe again.
I just wanted you all to know what was going on. I miss you all so much. I can't promise how often I'll be here at the library to answer your responses.
Right now, things seem pretty bad.
Don’t know what to tell you. I’m using an 11 year old hp WDOs 7 computer I bought for $125. used.
I’m sure you’ve all noticed that I have been missing for a while. Unfortunately, my computer conked out on the 11th of this month and I have been without one since. I also don’t know if I will ever get it back.
_________________________________________
Oh yes. We’ve been missing you terribly. We were about to hire private investigators. Send out a search party. Maybe post a vanity.
Wait. Who are you again?
That’s not nice.
Say wat?
I wish you the best.
I think posting such a long post without a computer is pretty impressive.
;)
For what it’s worth, my current and previous two MacBook Pros have run for five to six years each with zero repairs. The machines silently upgrade themselves in the background with no user intervention other than making sure they are plugged into an outlet.
I’ve used many different brands of PCs and definitely feel your pain.
I was at DMV a couple days ago renewing my driver license and the Windows PC crashed when I scanned my thumbprint!
I’m useless with computers. (Fortunately, I have teenagers.) That said, I missed you, and I hope you figure something out regarding the computer thing.
I’m sorry to hear of your troubles. I have had my share of computer problems too and it is pure misery.
One suggestion? Perhaps find a local “computer guy” type shop. They would do a better job fixing a computer than Best Buy and might also be able to sell you a refurbished machine at less cost than a new model if it comes to that.
I use a place like that, and they has saved my (work) life twice now.
I figured, you know, long shower? Went to fix a sammich? Maybe went to Thailand?
The only reason to buy Dell is that if you pay an extra $200+ a year, you can get on-site next-day technicians to fix it. And if they can’t fix it, they’ll give you a new one (although it may be a refurbished different model.)
That’s the only reason I ever buy Dell, and never buy any other brand computer.
um, “they have”
I bought a refurbished T61 from Bestbuy in 2011 and it’s runs almost 24/7 and still runs great
You’ve been years 14 years and you don’t recognize sarcasm yet?
I used to build my own computers but now that is just too tedious. I bought myself a HP laptop for about $449 with 12GB RAM from COSTCO and it is my main computer and I am extremely happy with it. Switch to a laptop for convenience.
Sorry for your computer problems. I’ve never owned a PC. My oldest son got me started on Macs many years ago, and I’ve stuck with them ever since. Both my desktop (iMac) and laptop (MacBook Pro) are from 2011. Last year I had to take my laptop in for the first time because of some video problem. They fixed it for a decent price, but I know I’ll be hard-pressed to be able to afford a new Mac when these two $hit the bed. My oldest son uses Linux and Windows now on his own PCs, mainly because his job uses Windows-based computers, so I can’t even ask him anything about Macs anymore. I’m very hesitant to purchase a Windows-based machine. At my age, I don’t know if I want to deal with learning a new OS.
Then there is always that moose biting his sister. And my favorite - his beeber got stuned.
That’ll put you out of commission for awhile. Yes sir.
What you are saying makes no sense. You are probably having software/driver issues and handing it over to people who just want to take your money.
You need to learn how to do a clean install on your computers. If you have Windows 10 all you need is a flash drive.
Get your computer back, get a flash drive of at least 8gb, have a friend download the appropriate OS to your flash drive and then do a clean install on your computer as outlined here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10startfresh
A Chromebook makes a good backup. They are cheap and are fine for browsing and email.
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