Friday, October 22, 2010

Computer Update

After a trip to the public library, and some research on the Internet, I discovered that my hard drive may not be dead.  I also got some computer books to check out, but due to a supposedly damaged DVD case, and a fee of five dollars; I was blocked from checking out the books.  Now I could have paid the five dollars, but I know the DVD case wasn't damaged when it was returned.  It's a matter of principal.  The librarian also said it had been out too long??? Then he said he wasn't sure what was going on, and the person who made the note on my account wasn't there.  I was a little frustrated, but I kept my cool.  I left without the books, but I had my notes to hopefully fix the hard drive.  UGH.

Today, I tried everything that might fix the hard drive, but all my attempts ended in failure.  I even opened the case, and reseated cables.  About the only good thing is that I now know that it will be easy to replace the hard drive.  However, I haven't given up yet, and will do more research.

Anyway, I still have the Frankenstein Machine, but after deciding to install another hard drive on it, ( I should have left it alone...) It dies. Another UGH.

Fortunately, there was a HP Pavalion hiding in the closet.  It's only about five years old, and appears to be working okay.  In fact, it appears to be a little more functional than the beast.  It's still a little quirky, but I'm working through those issues.  All I will use this machine for is accessing the Internet.

At one point today I was ready to throw in the towel, and give up for a while.  Well, at least until I get the good computer going again.  I have decided to postpone any Internet related gaming.  This thing is too quirky right now to be dependable, and it could die at any time.  I don't want to start something I can't keep going.  Same with designing the fantasy sandbox.  I could use analog methods, but after using the computer it hurts just thinking about it.  Who knows I may change my mind.

My blog posts will probably be sporadic for a while.  If this machine dies, my blogging will be very sporadic, and probably non-existant.  I think I will close with another... UGH.

1 comment:

  1. That sucks.. so hard... I can empathize, so here's some advice. Feel free to email me if you have questions:

    - Download and burn a bootable linux ISO and don't be scared. (try System Rescue CD first, then Backtrack, NetworkSecurityToolkit)
    - IMPORTANT - Linux is case sensitive, so watch your file/folder names.
    - Boot your computer from the CD
    - Usually you'll have to hit ENTER to start the whole bootup
    - Backtrack will load a GUI and is easier.. your hard drive will be in the MNT folder. You can plugin a USB key to transfer files.
    - Instructions for SystemRescueCD:
    type fsarchiver probe simple
    look for the NTFS drive
    type:
    cd /
    mkdir win
    ntfs-3g /dev/sda1 /win
    "sda1" should be your NTFS drive
    type:
    cd /win
    mc
    (mc should load a file browser)


    If you can mount your drive and browse to it, you should see your files. You can plugin a USB key and use the fsarchiver, mkdir and ntfs-3g commands to make a folder for your USB to copy files to. (If fsarchiver shows your USB key as FAT, use "mount" instead of "ntfs-3g")

    If this is totally greek, send it to your tech friend and ask him to do it. Hope this helps.

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