Fun With Technology

My wireless router died last week, so my internet provider sent me a nifty new gadget that combines modem, router and wireless for my home network. It came on Thursday.

As promised, all I had to do was plug it in, reboot our computers and..VIOLA!

We went down to the bay for the weekend and upon our return--you know what's coming, don't you? NADA.

Suddenly the gadget wouldn't recognize any of the computers in the house. After several calls Sunday night El Jefe's computer connected. But mine didn't. After a call to the "help" desk this morning, mine connected. But his didn't.

After getting more "help" from his office's help desk, they found a work-around that got him connected to the office server. But now his computer makes a loud "ding" whenever an email hits which sets the dogs off (Olivia is spending the day with us) and he can't figure out how to mute it because muting the sound on his computer doesn't help.

There's more "help" in my future.

Razzlefrackzit.

A Visitation

Last week as I sat meditating over my laptop...LO! The Angel of the Mac appeared before me and prophesied unto me, saying:

"See QG, the keyboard before you worketh not. For no matter how hard you press the "B" key, it speaketh not unto the hard drive. And behold, your password screweth up and the Angel of the Hard Drive will not let you pass all because of the worthless "B" key."

"Speak, O Angel of the Mac," I pleaded. "Speak and I will hear you. Tell me what I should do and I will obey you."

But the Angel of the Mac replied, " Try, QG, try the "T" key and see what it portends."

I pressed the "T" key and it stuck. And stuck. And stuck.

"QG, go thou unto thine utility drawer and seek a pointed stick that thou mayest release the "T" key from its captivity," quoth the Angel.

"The key is now released, O Angel," I responded. "But, pray, what does all this mean?"

"Behold, QG, is this not the self-same hard drive that crashed big-time yea only a few short months ago?"

" Yes, O Angel."

"Dost thou require being hit upside the head with mine flaming sword, QG? What think you ? Thine laptop has but a little while left before it will be recalled to its MacMaker. Hie thee hence unto the Apple Store and replace it before once again you loose your data because you did not heed this warning. Woe be unto you if you do not obey. Blessed be you if you have ears and hear for you will get an IPhone when the new version is sent down from on high."

Suddenly the Angel of the Mac vanished from the room. The Angel of the Hard Drive still would not let my password pass. Who am I to ignore the warnings of the Angel of the Mac? I hied myself to the Apple store and followed the Angel's advice.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. (Doing the happy dance and can't wait for the IPhone!)

Blue Screen of Death Tuesday

ARRRGGGH! and Razzlefrackzit.

This morning the laptop only displayed the grey Apple logo screen and would go no further. After following the Help directions, using Bab's computer, I managed to progress to the Blue Screen of Death. Swell.

In a panic, I trotted over to the nearby (thankfully) Apple Store to consult the resident Genius. Genius, bedecked in several earrings, became frustrated with the laptop. Not a good sign. Laptop is admitted to Apple Hospital. A couple of hours later, they call me to pick it up.

Good news: it's working again and didn't cost anything to fix thanks to the Apple plan. Bad news: All Data Lost. Silver lining: Gmail archives should have all documents I will need to reconstruct because they all got emailed to somebody. Groan. Yes, I had some backup. But not enough. There's never enough, is there?

And of course today is the day Beatrice got "fixed" and "microchipped" at the Vet clinic. At least she's asleep now. I'm going to put the laptop to sleep for a while because I've had enough for today.