More computer angst

[pegkerr]

Now the laptop is not working. The laptop with all the tax return information that Rob swore he would finally get finalized yesterday. The mouse touchpad isn't working; he wonders if it has a virus. He hasn't been able to get it working again yet.

I swear to God I am ready to spontaneously combust out of sheer overwhelming frustration.

Comments

[cmpriest.livejournal.com]

I loathe touchpads. Can you nab a little USB mousie? I love mine. Am prepared to swear by it. Might help? Only costs about $15 at Staples or somesuch place.

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

What wicked_wish said... Most laptops also have the round PS/2 port for a standard (not USB) mouse.

[althea_valara]

My gods, Peg.

Just out of curiousity, have either you or Rob had problems with credit cards demagnitizing? I did tech support for ten years, and I saw some pretty strange things in that time. I knew two people who had to have their computers completely reimaged every 4-6 months or so because the computers would get all messed up--so badly they wouldn't run properly. The guy just kind of shrugged about it, but I had extensive talks with the lady whose laptop kept going bad, and she told me she's had lots of little weird issues with electronics and credit cards and such. It seems that some people are more magnetic than others, which makes them unfriendly to electronics.

Or you could just be unlucky. :( Either way, it's no fun. I'll send healing vibes towards your computers. That might sound silly, but you never know--it could work. Computers like me, and often seem to fix themselves when I'm around.

[vass]

Have you read When Rabbit Howls? It said in that that Truddi Chase was one of those people electronics went haywire around. They (she and her therapist) attributed it to her MPD/DID, but I didn't really buy that.

Offer still stands...

[kiramartin.livejournal.com]

...If you need access to to a computer and we aren't using it...drop on over!
I was having mouse difficulty (we have a cordless) but I think I fixed it this morning. There is nothing worse than NOT having access to your computer. UGH!

[aome.livejournal.com]

The center right section of the keyboard (i, o, 8 comma, etc) periodically stops functioning. We have to torque the entire base around (not easy!) until the connections are re-established. Repeat every half hour or so, and almost every time the laptop comes out of snooze. But at least it works. We're trying to decide if we can afford to replace it or not, or if we should just hang on with the annoyance for now.

I feel for you, Peg. I hate seeing friends struggle over and over, getting clobbered by negative karma and bad luck and broken things when they deserve so much better, and broken computers are exceptionally frustrating. Wish I could send you on that European holiday - sounds like you need it!

[romancoat.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, I think the old computers (the ones from about 10 years ago) were more reliable. Less powerful, less complicated, less connections and things that could get messed up. :)

Have you tried burning a CD at the altar of the tech gods?