[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Don’t know what to tell you. I’m using an 11 year old hp WDOs 7 computer I bought for $125. used.

[Responsibility2nd]

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?

[Drango]

I'm sure you've all noticed that I have been missing for a while.

Say wat?

[BipolarBob]

I wish you the best.

[freedumb2003]

I think posting such a long post without a computer is pretty impressive.

;)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

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!

[Tax-chick]

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.

[LostInBayport]

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.

[Maceman]

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.

[butlerweave]

I bought a refurbished T61 from Bestbuy in 2011 and it’s runs almost 24/7 and still runs great

[frogjerk]

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.

[mass55th]

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.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

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

[Pelham]

A Chromebook makes a good backup. They are cheap and are fine for browsing and email.

[CatOwner]

Yeah, a year and a half is a bit short for a PC's life. I usually get about 4-6 years out of a Dell PC (with memory and/or hard drive upgrades along the way) before purchasing a new one. Any replacement is generally to keep the hardware fast enough to deal with the latest OS bloat from Microsoft. I think I last replaced a power supply in a PC about 15 years ago.

My wife also has her own PC, and that's been the case for the last 20 years. She hardly ever uses it, settling for her Kindle, so I have a backup. Maybe you can get a cheap laptop to have for future emergencies?

[gundog]

Ctl-Alt-Delete still works? I thought that went out the window with Windows 7.

[rockinqsranch]

Twelve years with this Dell Inspiron, and still cranking. Only problems were the Microsoft stuff within including unsupported IE. On Firefox now, and everything is fine.

Sorry to see you having problems with yours.

Win-7 fwiw.

[FXRP]

I have at least 4 computers that will run FR. Come to southeast Florida and get one.

[ealgeone]

Sorry dude. Amazing how dependent we are on those things.

[Aut Pax Aut Bellum]

1)Don't buy Dell
2) Don't shop at Best Buy, they are crooks.