Something awful happened to me this morning.
I got up (no, that's not the awful thing) and was like "oh no! I think I overdrew my bank account yesterday!" (no that's not it either) and so I race to the computer (actually, stagger is more appropriate--it was 6 in the morning, after all) and wait while it slowly beeps to life.
Un-caffeinated, I stare at the screen for about three minutes before I realize that something is wrong.
Lots of white text on screen = normal (I found out today that the appropriate term for this is the 'post'). But then, at the bottom, it says "Insert media reboot device and press any key". Now, even when I am caffeinated, that makes me go "What media reboot device?" So, what do I do? I just press a key, cross my fingers, and hope that works.
It didn't. Like a patient school teacher, it repeated its message.
Well, I'll show you, computer!
I turn it off.
Wait.
I turn it back on.
If computers could laugh diabolically, mine would have. In a truly truculent moment, it whirs to life (yes, it whirs. The fan is huge) and refuses to do anything else. The screen is completely blank.
I blink at it for a moment. Debate about smashing said computer, and do the fail-proof fix. I turn off the computer again. Check all the connections. Make sure nothing is on fire (or looks like it's about to be). Check the connections again. Turn it back on.
It whirs to life and then...Nothing!!!
I start cussing. My boyfriend starts looking for exits. I reconsider my plan to smash computer to bits.
Leave for work. Discuss problem with IT guys. Diagnosis: You're probably going to need to replace the hard drive or motherboard or both.
My response: So, what you're saying is you're coming over to my house after work, right?
Blank stare.
My response: So, what you're saying is that I need to buy a new computer, right?
And, thus, my tragedy. Fortunately, I have a laptop I can connect, so all is not lost. But I'm going to coerce one of my friends to come over and confirm the diagnosis. Then I'm going to have him either A) fix it or B) recommend a new computer.
I like the idea of a new computer...if someone else wants to buy it for me. Any takers? :)
Oh Brandi, that stinks. I've been in that situation and it is far from fun. If the IT guys are right, there is no fixing to be done--your computer is dead. :( But since you aren't freaking out about your novels, I'm assuming you haven't lost them. So that's good!
ReplyDeleteI hope everything works out for you and your computer.
Yikes, that's horrible. But I love your slightly humorous bent on the whole situation. I'm hoping your stories are safe. That reminds me, I need to do another update of my files on my flash drive.
ReplyDeleteJust in case.
Yep. Stories are safe. (Thank goodness.) I have them stored on a thumb drive, and then on my laptop. Now (after this mess) they are also on a CD.
ReplyDeleteBack up, back up, back up!
I did some trading this weekend and now I have a replacement desktop, but my mom has my laptop now. She wanted something smaller, and I wanted something that had Microsoft Word, so we both won. :)