December 30, 2009: Computer Woes


I've reformatted and reinstalled on all of my many computers through the years, and on this particular laptop twice in the past, with no problems. This reinstall was going just fine until I discovered the backup had not done the entire C: drive, as it was supposed to do. Remembering I had a previous backup on DVD, I started to access those files and it began installing everything rather than giving me the option to chose what I wanted to install. For some reason, I had a senior moment and , instead of letting it do its thing, I hit the eject button, pulled out the disc, and shut down the computer. That messed up the boot sector and I couldn't reboot from the recovery disc! For the first time ever (I've had computers for about 20 years), I had to take the computer in to a professional. He ended up having to reinstall the operating system, so as of Monday I've been back to square one, reinstalling all my programs and waiting for Microsoft to do all of its updates. On top of all that, these updates have caused me to exceed my allowable bandwidth use, and my ISP (the same guy who repaired my laptop and reinstalled my OS) cut me off! So here I am at the library, finishing my updates and checking in with all of you to let you know why I'm MIA!

One of the things the backup missed was my genealogy information, from 20 years of work. Luckily, it's on my desktop computer back home, so no worry. The other thing missing was my email address book. I requested some of you resend your email addresses, so I had reconstructed it somewhat, but now that's all lost again....so Dan, I need your home mailing address once more! I've found most of the missing email addresses elsewhere in my records, others I can get from your blogs, but I'm missing all correspondence received recently. That will teach me to change my settings and keep messages on the server!

Anyway, the laptop is working great again, Microsoft has almost finished updates, and hopefully my provider will let me back on soon.

Gosh, I sure miss my cable internet!




10 comments:

  1. Oh my goodnes, Granny. At least it's keeping you busy! Have you had any time to play hand and foot?

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  2. Good luck Granny, what a nightmare!

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  3. Wow, that doesn't sound like much fun at all Gran. I can't believe that he took your money then cut you off. Who does he think he is? The federal government???

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  4. Oh!!! Well, good job persevering through that - I will be reformatting again soon, there is just no other way to really clean up all the JUNK I end up downloading as I do my web design work and surf the web. I have yet to pull down my software disc box and verify that it's all where it needs to be for the big reinstall session. GROAN. Too bad your ISP is punishing you, that's just macabre. Will be wonderful to read your gardening posts again - I am so excited about the season ahead!! Cheers, Bonnie

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  5. Gee, Granny...you sure are having computer problems in AZ. I was wondering what you've been up to.

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  6. Wow! computers...so great yet so much of a pain sometimes!
    I would hate to lose all my genealogy research too! I keep a back up on disc! I don't even have it downloaded on to my new computer yet! Haven't worked on it since the twins arrived 3 yrs ago! Hope you are up and running soon!

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  7. Oh dear! It sounds like you've had a rough time with this reformat. I hope the computer is running better at least.

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  8. Oh my goodness Granny!

    Switch to mac when you buy your next computer! You never have to do all that yucky stuff! I LOVE my macbook laptop!

    Happy New Year. So sorry about your computer frustrations!

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  9. Oh how I hate reinstalling everything. What a pain. I still have to do it again. My husband bought me a netbook so we can stay in touch when we travel, but I'm being too lazy to deal with it. I need to get all those updates.

    I hope you get it all sorted out soon.

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  10. I will get that address to you right now.

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