Computer drama

I haven't written a thing in here since Jean's death and the aftermath. I just can't deal with a blog when there are so many other things on spin cycle. I decided I'd try to catch up here since I have some time this afternoon - and it will be better if I stay in digital mode.

My Toshiba Satellite C55-A5286 has been giving me fits. Even after a year with it, I'm still not used to a large laptop with a numeric keypad. I am accustomed to positioning my body in front of the computer, smack in the middle, somewhat the way beginning piano students are indoctrinated to always sit in front of Middle C. As a result, everything is a bubble off. The good news is that I have lost some weight - but one of the consequences is that my stomach is flatter now, which alters the way the computer sits on my lap. I thought I was having a pointing device and touchpad problem - scrolling was all awry and I couldn't right-click on anything - I'd try to rename a .jpg file and another one would pop open, or I'd try to load Facebook and get Chase Bank. I have been told that Windows 8 was designed to memorize the user's patterns and anticipation subsequent actions. I don't know what I've been doing, but it and I are out of sync. I'm sure it's an ergonomics problem - I just noticed my left palm resting on the touchpad, which wouldn't happen if I shifted the computer to the right.

I was blaming Windows 8 for everything, but I've tried to be open to change. I know that touch computing is the wave of the future, and W8 is designed for that. I need to take a class, and there's no excuse not to, because free classes are offered at the library.

SO...

Last night was the last straw. I'll preface this by saying that as we speak, poor Marie is at jury duty. Both of us were up all night. I'm not even in the mood for another "Toshiba Wars" post, such as the silly ones I've put on Facebook - this is no longer funny. This laptop crashed at 2:30 AM and I had to do a system refresh, which meant I lost Norton, Windows 8.1, MovieMaker, and Microsoft Office. I had the product keys for Norton and Microsoft office, so I got those up and running, and ITunes is intact, as are my files. But I lost some of my favorite apps and I tried to re-install them, but they won't run because I don't have the proper updates for 8.1 nor do I have the .dll files for MovieMaker. I tried to download Windows updates, which took hours, but my computer rejected the download and restored Windows 8 to the way it was after the refresh. There are places online where you can get free downloads to fix .dll problems, but they will only fix a few - then, they inform you that your computer has hundreds of registry errors and that you must PAY to get the program, which will fix all woes. I am fit to be tied.

 

I have had NO SLEEP at all - this all happened because after midnight, I connected this laptop to my wired HP printer and got a message that the printer was in an error state. I did the usual: checked connections, tried different usb ports, turned the printer off and on again, checked to make sure the cartridges were aligned. Then, my laptop deleted the printer. When I tried to re-install it, my computer froze. I did a control-alt-delete but it wouldn't boot up. Tried that twice. Then I turned it off and turned it back on again and this time, I got a screen that warned me that a repair program was going to run. I was given two choices: (1) to wipe everything off my computer and start all over (this would include removing the operating system and all my files!) or (2) doing the "refresh," which would delete the update to Windows 8.1 and all 82 of the Windows updates I've installed over the past year, along with many of my apps - but keep my files. I chose the latter.

I have a call in to the Computer Goddess of Rockford Public Library - Paul and I both want to take her classes; in the meantime, I'm hoping she and I can get together for lunch and at least get the Windows 8.1 free upgrade back up and running. I'm afraid that if I don't, I won't be able to make a smooth and economical segue to Windows 9 when it comes out.   (And oh, how I long for that day.)

 

I have had nothing but trouble with this computer - I'm serious - I have spent probably 75% of the time while using it trying to troubleshoot something. The system refresh - ironically - did away with my touchpad and scrolling problems. I've had PCs for over 20 years, and I'm told that I should try a Mac. This is starting to remind me why I know so much about cars - old cars, granted --- in the 70s, when all I could afford were clunkers, everything went wrong with them and I learned how to diagnose everything from a cracked exhaust manifold to a bad ignition module. The thing is - those were old cars. This computer was brand-new last September.

 

Next time I visit this blog, I hope to be back to waxing poetic about music, my doll collection, the cats, and the many blessings that surround me. The biggest blessing of all is that on the 24th of this month, I will have 1 year of sobriety in AA. Now that's something to smile about.

 

And-- the computer is nothing to drink about.