Internet availability flux

[Mara]

Oct 4, 2013 13:34:25 GMT -5 Adobi-Wan Kenobi said:

Oh... well... i assumed it was sense ya said you use it for posting. Nvm then ignore me lol

I do use it for posting. ;p In Microsoft Word, and then I copy it to my flash drive, which I take over to this computer.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

*was not ignored* lol

Anyway good to know. Glad it's working now though!

[Mara]

Yeah. Well.

Started having issues again a couple days ago. *bangs head against wall*


I really need to check things out, because if I have to keep it shut down for a week to get it to work... that's not a solution, lol.

And I really doubt it's dust in the fans, because honestly, it was all just blown out two and half months ago. And prior to that, it had been probably seven years, at least. And obviously it worked all that time.

But when it's trying to reboot, I do hear some sounds that I don't remember hearing before... so I think there is something wrong. Might be a fan not spinning right... could be a card or something... I dunno. In any case, I need to figure it out, because the current situation isn't really working.

So for the moment, I've taken a step back regarding writing/posting.

[Julian]

If those sounds sound like beeps, then that is a very good thing! The beep code will be able to tell a tech a lot about what's wrong. If it doesn't sound like the beep code... Yeah, still get that looked at.

[Mara]

No, they're not beeps... they sound more mechanical. Maybe like a grinding/clicking? I dunno. It's hard to describe, lol. I just know it's not the normal sounds I usually hear when it restarts.

But I'll see if I can get the side panel off and look around... and have my dad look at it, too. I have no idea what that stuff should look like.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Yikes, grinding could be a couple of different things if i remember right. Depending on the grinding, it might be a fan out of shape, but that's doubtful IMO. Something might be working too hard, or not working at all.

Anyway, hope ya get it figured out soon.

[Mara]

So, I took the side panel off. Which doesn't help me, since I don't know what it's supposed to look like, lol.
I may try turning it on and see if everything is working... but I'm not sure how safe that would be.

I did more Googling, and seeing things like going to safe mode, which my computer won't do. Or changing the registry, which I'm not about to do. And other things. But those helps mostly seem to be about SP3 issues, which I don't think I even have... and if I did, you'd think it wouldn't work at all, instead of for three-four weeks, then having issues again.

So I dunno. I think it's time for an expert, lol.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Well i hope it's not too hard to fix whatever it is.

[Mara]

Same here.

I don't want to have to buy a new computer.

[Mara]

Okay, sent an e-mail/request for an estimate to a computer repair guy in the area. Hopefully he'll have an idea of what's wrong, and it won't be too expensive, lol. (His prices looked fairly reasonable on his web site.)

Until things get solved, though, I'm still in flux here -- basically getting up a reply whenever this computer is available long enough, which is rarely. As you can tell, lol.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Not expensive is good. Hope you get to return soon.

[Mara]

Haven't gotten an estimate yet... but now I'm questioning whether it would be worth fixing my computer, considering that I may have to buy a new hard drive for it (plus labor and whatever else). I mean, my computer is over 8 years old. So now I'm somewhat considering the possibility of getting a new one, which leads to the age-old question of desktop? or laptop? lol I had always thought desktop, since I'm used to it. In the past, though, I thought about a laptop for the convenience factor, but at the time, I thought it silly to have two computers. But now... maybe I will switch to a laptop. I don't know, though. Argh. I just want to be able to write again.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

*pat pat*

Well, i currently have a laptop myself, and so far it's pretty good. If you do a lot of wandering, or just don't like being in one spot all the time i would recommend it. Biggest thing to get used to is the scroll pad

[Mara]

Well, I could deal with the scroll pad; and even so, there are laptop mice you can buy. My concern is getting one with a keyboard with higher profile keys so it's easier to type on.

And I don't really wander, lol... but if I had a laptop, it would be more convenient. I could take it downstairs and write while watching TV or something instead of being stuck in my room.
On the other hand, desktops are what I'm used to. And for what I generally use a computer for (writing, playing a few games), it'd probably work better.

Pros and cons for both.

However, if I do decide/find out my computer isn't worth fixing, I still have the problem of what to do with it. I mean, it's hard to resell a computer if I can't turn it on long enough to log on, let along reformat and scrub it down.


I should have kept my computer from my old job last year. :/






[And yes, I know I'm totally using this thread for more than just saying 'farewell' or giving updates on my farewell... and I don't care.]

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

lol.

and the profile keys are a problem, but you do get used to those. (i was also kidding about the scroll pad, i know about the mice you can get for laptops *rolls eyes*)

Another thing you may want to consider though, is how old your accessories are. Your monitor, speakers, etc etc. A really old monitor may not work AS WELL with newer computers. At the same time, they may not work with the laptop (if you even care about using them on the laptop, which i do sometimes.)

[Mara]

Good news/bad news...


Bad news -- Compy II can't be saved.

Good news -- my internet availability (or lack thereof) should be only for a bit longer until I get myself a new computer.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Well, we look forward to your return!

[Mara]

I've discovered a new problem...

My need for a computer is at war with my inherent indecisiveness. But I will try to overcome it soon.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Hope ya do! You can make it!

[Mara]

I think I'm close to a purchase of a laptop.
(After a momentarily relapse of thinking I'd just stay with a desktop... and then realizing the selection is pretty sparse, at least for new ones, and the prices not so comparable to some of the more inexpensive laptops.)

I just need to narrow down to a brand and model... after narrowing down what I'll mostly be using it for.

Maybe another week or two.... *Crosses fingers*