Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Again without a computer
Self | 7/26/'18 | Zionist Conspirator

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.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Computers/Internet; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: withdrawal
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-100 next last
To: Zionist Conspirator

I hope you won’t take offense at my comments here.

I read your tale, and first I felt empathy for your computer issue. We have all had some flavor of that kind of computer issue over the years.

Then, as I finished ready your post, I had a “nasty” little chuckle in my “nasty” little brain.

My brain made a connection (that produced the chuckle), between (a) some commnents you made (in the nature of this stuff always seems to happen to me), and (b) your FreeRep user name, and (c) a T-shirt I bought long ago in the east village in New York city (which I still have).

Printed on the T-Shirt is a list of irreverant digs at just about every religion. It uses common stereotypes many people have about the different religions, and puts them into the context of “shit happens”.

On the list are:

.............Taosim - Shit Happens
......Hare Krioshna - Shit Happens Rama Rama Ding Ding
...........Hinduism - This Shit Happened Before
..............Islam - If Shit Happens, Take a Hostage
................Zen - What is The Sound of Shit Happening
...........Buddhism - When Shit Happens, Is It Really Shit?
....Confuscianism - Confucius Say “Shit Happens”
7th Day Adventist - Shit Happens On Saturdays
....Protestantism - Shit Won’t Happen If I Work Harder
......Catholicism - If Shit Happens I Deserve It
Jehovah’s Witness - Knock Knock, “Shit Happens”
.....Unitarianism - What Is This Shit?
........Mormonism - Shit Happens Again, And Again, and Again
...Rastafarianism - Let’s Smoke This Shit

And what produced my nasty chuckle after reading your tale:

..........Judaism - Why Does This Shit Always Happen To Me?

I’m sorry if my chuckle seems offensive, I meant no offense.


41 posted on 07/26/2018 3:26:58 PM PDT by Wuli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: frogjerk

I can buy a rebuilt HP laptop with new hard drive for $100 at a non profit in my city. If you are over 60 you qualify for the deal, even if you have millions of dollars in the bank.


42 posted on 07/26/2018 3:31:39 PM PDT by forgotten man
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

I use old Dell Optiplex computers, they’re build for business use so they’re very reliable and easy to work on. Buy one for $50, pop in a hard drive, and install Linux Mint.

I am running now on one I found by discarded by the curb two years ago, it has been running 24-7 since then.


43 posted on 07/26/2018 3:33:10 PM PDT by proxy_user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

I’ve never had problems with Del PCs. Love them.


44 posted on 07/26/2018 3:33:41 PM PDT by McGruff
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

You had a computer???

We all just check in from the library.


Sorry to hear, I just bought one of those a month ago and my wife bought one a week ago. I guess I’ll keep the 2 year service contract thingy. My prior one lasted 7 years.


45 posted on 07/26/2018 3:34:49 PM PDT by SaxxonWoods (Hmmm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

“He called the Dell company and they suggested a short had developed in the motherboard.”

That can happen. A computer is just parts in a case. Replace the one that’s busted, and you should be fine.


46 posted on 07/26/2018 3:34:59 PM PDT by dsc (Our system of government cannot survive one-party control of communications.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I just had some problems myself on my HP that is about 2 1/2 years old. I kept getting a message that said a Critical Process failed. I tried everything to fix from the menu they had and nothing worked.

I finally had to use my Lenovo mini computer and order a Windows Recovery thumb drive from Ebay. Well I got it and plugged it in and did a reinstall of Windows. I had everything backed up and then the external hard drive I had quit working and all my stuff was gone or so I thought.

I was looking at some Youtube videos on how to restore files after a reinstall and saw something to look at. I went to the computer files and lo and behold I found a file called windows.old and there were all my files. I got another external drive and downloaded them ASAP.

I then was trying to reinstall everything I had on the computer and noticed it wasn’t working right so I did another complete reinstall. That seemed to take care of my problems for now and I have been able to put back on all the programs I had running. Next time out I may look for another brand other than HP. Most of the time it usually a software problem and all you can do is a complete reinstall. Make sure you backup so you will have everything.


47 posted on 07/26/2018 3:37:12 PM PDT by Captain Peter Blood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

I have yet to have a PC breakdown on me. And I’ve used just about every brand out there, including HPs and Dells and Asus and Acer and even IBM when they were around, and others.

My PCs get retired, not because they don’t work or break down; the only reason that I retire my PCs, is because of the OSes getting upgraded to the point where my Pcs are no longer compatible or slow down to the point they become unusable. Guess I must just be very lucky. BTW, I still have a Pentium 3 and a Pentium 4 PC around, though just collecting dust; hated to just trash them, but I will soon.


48 posted on 07/26/2018 3:37:25 PM PDT by adorno
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: dsc

I had a similar experience with my Mac a couple of weeks ago. 5 years and no problems. The cost of repair was more than I could sell it for on eBay.

These things depreciate so fast these years.


49 posted on 07/26/2018 3:38:00 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: wally_bert
My current one is 4 years old and zero troubles from a hardware standpoint.

Well, I've had hardware troubles and was very happy that a Dell technician was available to replace the part the next business day.

50 posted on 07/26/2018 3:41:11 PM PDT by Maceman (We need a temporary ban on Muslims just until churches and synagogues can be built in Mecca.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

“without a computer”

What does that even mean?


51 posted on 07/26/2018 3:41:29 PM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

I hear you on that. It’s why I switched over to Apple. Yeah Apple full of Leftist, but so is Microsoft, Google, etc...

Anyway, I have yet to even run a scan for viruses. Runs like a champ. I’ve owned my iMac for 2.5 years now. It was an easy switch. I moved all my Office files over via a flash drive.

Now I did have to purchase Office (go the Microsoft Website to get it) for my new Apple computer. Anyhow, it’s been great with no problems. I am able to access all my old PC files from years ago.

For the record my previous 3 computers were 2 Dells and a Compact computer.

I picked up a 21” 4K iMac i7 6th generation with 3.3GHz, 16g Ram and 2 TB Fusion Drive (meaning there is no “loading from the hard drive”. You just click it and boom it’s there).

No matter what computer you end up getting pick up i7 8th Generation. There is a HUGE difference in performance between the i7 7th Generation and the i7 8th Generation.

**NOTE*** Stay away from the i9. The i7s 8th Generation are faster.

The only negative with buying Apple is the initial upfront cost. After that it’s smooth sailing. I’ve been smooth sailing for almost 3 years now. Never had to clean my computer not even once and it comes right up. If I am looking at something on my iPhone or iPad via the browser I can transfer it over right to my computer which is a nice feature.

The learning curve of an Apple was easy. Although I did pick up a more traditional keyboard with number pad and Logictech mouse. I do have both Apple wireless mice. They work great, but I am just use to the tradional Logitech Wireless mouse with a roll button.

Here now go get you one. You will not regret it.

https://www.apple.com/imac/


52 posted on 07/26/2018 3:41:43 PM PDT by Enlightened1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

Just sent you a private mail, please respond and we can get you back up and running in better shape than you were before using the tower from Dell. I have been there done that and if you let them run the show you may very well end up losing all your data and wasting time on a system that has obviously got lots of issues


53 posted on 07/26/2018 3:44:41 PM PDT by 100American (Knowledge is knowing how, Wisdom is knowing when)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Captain Peter Blood

Most of the time after a reinstall when “everything is gone” it’s just that you are logged in as administrator and not the user whose stuff you are looking for. Look under C:\users and look at the stuff of all the users and you will probably find it. Log in as that user and the stuff shows up.


54 posted on 07/26/2018 3:47:32 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (<img src="http://i.imgur.com/WukZwJP.gif" width=600><p>https://i.imgur.com/zXSEP5Z.gif)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

I have a story with Dell that would take to much time and emotion to describe. Suffice it to say that it went south after a year and they sent it back from their “repair depot” with the back off and all screws missing. This time they have had it close to two weeks with no contact. Dell Hell.


55 posted on 07/26/2018 3:47:37 PM PDT by yetidog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Governor Dinwiddie

I would third the Chromebook suggestion. Less than $200 and mine works as well as the day I bought it 5-6 years ago, and I’ve spent not one penny or time on software or maintenance.


56 posted on 07/26/2018 3:48:34 PM PDT by Behind the Blue Wall
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

DSL is an old connection. They work great, but the best speeds are around 50m.

The cable modems are a lot better. I switched over and it’s been great. I have rebooted my cable modem about 3 times in 2 years. It was only because there was an area outage and another time I was hooking up my Sony 4K TV.

Anyhow, I pay $70 for 200m. Although I am clocking 234 down and 23 up. That’s more than enough for me. Anyway everything pumps good, and even on Direct TV NOW (https://www.directvnow.com/thegoodstuff2).

I get it for $30 a month combined with my AT&T unlimited data phone plean and Autodraft every month. They gave me $25 off ($15 for the plan and 10 for the Autodraft). This is on top Amazon Prime and yeah I still own Netflix online subscription.


57 posted on 07/26/2018 3:50:07 PM PDT by Enlightened1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

I starting using my phone to view Freerepublic two years ago and I haven’t looked back. Just now I looked at FR on my desktop and there is no comparison; my phone browser is far superior. And I can enjoy the Freepers’ wit at breakneck speeds.

Do you have a phone with a browser?


58 posted on 07/26/2018 3:50:44 PM PDT by Fairhairedboy (Trumpist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Governor Dinwiddie

There’s no such thing as virus free. Any computer / OS can become infected with a virus. It’s just that some OS are more susceptible than others, particularly Windows.


59 posted on 07/26/2018 3:52:00 PM PDT by reg45 (Barack 0bama: Gone but not forgiven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

Used computers are a dime a dozen.


60 posted on 07/26/2018 3:52:49 PM PDT by deport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-100 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson