Bill Conrad's Blog - Posts Tagged "computers"
My Computer is a Dear Friend
I have been using computers since 1977. In the beginning, they were not user-friendly and their operators were required to expert knowledge in order to perform simple operations. As technology evolved, computers became larger parts of our lives. Then, the miracle of the modern age occurred. The Internet changed everything.
I now use my computer to talk to friends, pay bills, provide endless entertainment and learn. At work, I use a computer to simulate circuits, organize data, send emails and develop endless reports.
When I began my writing journey, I took my first step on a computer. It serves as my sentence file cabinet, primary research tool, the communications hub, and marketing powerhouse. The idea of writing a book on a typewriter is inconceivable in the modern world.
During the writing process, my computer quietly accepted all my input and did a great job of displaying the result. While my computer had minor issues, it never lost data, judged me or let me down.
Three weeks ago, I updated the Bios to fix a major security flaw. After the update, it worked for 20 minutes and then I got a big blue screen. On reboot, it immediately came up blue. Disaster! I put back the old Bios, but the damage had been done. The update corrupted the operating system and despite every effort, I could not restore it to normal operations.
Fortunately, the computer worked well enough to back up my files, bookmarks, email contacts, and system information. As I needed to completely reinstall windows, I purchased a new RAID hard drive controller card. Unfortunately, it took two weeks for the card to arrive, four days to install and configure everything else.
Being without my main computer proved difficult. I could not easily contact my friends, do research or write. This situation depressed me and I longed for the return of my valuable tool. When I finally got my computer working, it felt good to have this key part of my life returned. I got back into writing and settled into my normal grove. As I did, I reflected how much I missed my computer and how central it has become to my life.
My love of writing returned stronger than ever and I expanded my creative side. Then disaster struck. I turned on my computer and it came up to the configuration screen. My new RAID controller had failed. This prevented me from recovering my recent files and left me at a crossroads. Should I erase all my recent data? After some experimentation, I discovered that my motherboard had been damaged and this and caused the RAID card to fail.
The worst part about this is an issue is that I caused the problem. I felt as if I had betrayed a friend. How can I tell an inanimate object, “I’m sorry. I only tried to help.” I could only break out my checkbook and buy replacement components. I suppose in the cosmic sense, I did apologize to a box of circuits.
During this time, I used my “test computer” to write and communicate. I keep an older computer around to test new programs and run other programs that take a long time to complete. It’s slow, has restrictive security settings and is difficult to use.
Last night, I tore my main computer down and installed a new motherboard along with a new RAID controller. It felt really good to see the Windows logo.
I spent the rest of the evening backing up files, getting data from my test computer and catching up on emails. I felt as if a cherished family member returned from the hospital in good health. Life began returning to normal. Of course, not everything went smoothly. I spent two evenings on the phone with Microsoft tech support getting the windows license manager happy. Gahhh. Why is it so hard? I’m not a computer pirate. Stop accusing me.
I now realize that my main computer is a large part of my life. I consider myself lucky to be alive in this modern age where I am permitted to own such a marvelous machine. With some luck, my updated computer will work fine for the next ten years as I try to write something amazing.
I now use my computer to talk to friends, pay bills, provide endless entertainment and learn. At work, I use a computer to simulate circuits, organize data, send emails and develop endless reports.
When I began my writing journey, I took my first step on a computer. It serves as my sentence file cabinet, primary research tool, the communications hub, and marketing powerhouse. The idea of writing a book on a typewriter is inconceivable in the modern world.
During the writing process, my computer quietly accepted all my input and did a great job of displaying the result. While my computer had minor issues, it never lost data, judged me or let me down.
Three weeks ago, I updated the Bios to fix a major security flaw. After the update, it worked for 20 minutes and then I got a big blue screen. On reboot, it immediately came up blue. Disaster! I put back the old Bios, but the damage had been done. The update corrupted the operating system and despite every effort, I could not restore it to normal operations.
Fortunately, the computer worked well enough to back up my files, bookmarks, email contacts, and system information. As I needed to completely reinstall windows, I purchased a new RAID hard drive controller card. Unfortunately, it took two weeks for the card to arrive, four days to install and configure everything else.
Being without my main computer proved difficult. I could not easily contact my friends, do research or write. This situation depressed me and I longed for the return of my valuable tool. When I finally got my computer working, it felt good to have this key part of my life returned. I got back into writing and settled into my normal grove. As I did, I reflected how much I missed my computer and how central it has become to my life.
My love of writing returned stronger than ever and I expanded my creative side. Then disaster struck. I turned on my computer and it came up to the configuration screen. My new RAID controller had failed. This prevented me from recovering my recent files and left me at a crossroads. Should I erase all my recent data? After some experimentation, I discovered that my motherboard had been damaged and this and caused the RAID card to fail.
The worst part about this is an issue is that I caused the problem. I felt as if I had betrayed a friend. How can I tell an inanimate object, “I’m sorry. I only tried to help.” I could only break out my checkbook and buy replacement components. I suppose in the cosmic sense, I did apologize to a box of circuits.
During this time, I used my “test computer” to write and communicate. I keep an older computer around to test new programs and run other programs that take a long time to complete. It’s slow, has restrictive security settings and is difficult to use.
Last night, I tore my main computer down and installed a new motherboard along with a new RAID controller. It felt really good to see the Windows logo.
I spent the rest of the evening backing up files, getting data from my test computer and catching up on emails. I felt as if a cherished family member returned from the hospital in good health. Life began returning to normal. Of course, not everything went smoothly. I spent two evenings on the phone with Microsoft tech support getting the windows license manager happy. Gahhh. Why is it so hard? I’m not a computer pirate. Stop accusing me.
I now realize that my main computer is a large part of my life. I consider myself lucky to be alive in this modern age where I am permitted to own such a marvelous machine. With some luck, my updated computer will work fine for the next ten years as I try to write something amazing.
My Dear Friend is Better
On June third, I was working on an uneventful email. Without warning, my computer made a pop sound and shut down. When I tried to restart it, nothing happened. Unfortunately, my last backup was two weeks prior. Major bummer! However, I knew the hard drive was fine, and my data was not corrupted. Because I did not want to lose two weeks of work, I decided not to revert to my backup and start over.
Thus, my repair quest began. In the past, I had to replace the motherboard, and this seemed like the most obvious failed component. Because it is five years old, I ordered a used motherboard on eBay. Five days later, the seller canceled the order. So, I ordered another used motherboard on eBay, but I failed to see the no return policy. Three days later, it arrived, and I realized that I had ordered the wrong model. Girrrr. I ordered a third used motherboard on eBay, and the seller canceled. I then spotted a fourth used one eBay, and this one came with a bunch of accessories. (Including a processor. We call this foreshadowing.) Plus, it was at a great price! The seller canceled.
I was aware of more expensive used motherboards on Amazon, but they came from China and required ten days. So, I ordered one. In the meantime, one appeared on an eBay auction. I placed a low bid to have a backup motherboard in case the one from China failed. My bid was the lowest, and it took three days to arrive. We will call this motherboard 'A.' I put A in, and I accidentally damaged the pins on the original motherboard when I removed it. Girrrr. No problem because it was bad. When I turned A on… Nothing! I realized the processor was the problem! Girrrr. At this point, I had been without a main computer for three weeks.
I ordered a used processor on eBay, and three days later, I put it in. Success! Yay!! The first thing I did was backup everything. What an enormous relief! I answered emails like a madman and did all the tasks I could not do on other computers. My life returned to normal, and motherboard 'B' arrived from China. A day later, the nightmare returned. I got a Blue Screen of Death! Typically, I get one of these a year.
Soon, I got another, and by the end of the day, I was getting blue screens every five minutes. I installed motherboard B. At first, it would not boot consistently. I did a RAM speed BIOS tweak, and the system has run fine ever since. The wave of relief was overwhelming, and my stress subsided. Finally, I got a good night's sleep.
During my computer downtime, I used my "test computer." I used this older machine for trying new programs or running long-duration tasks.
Because it did not have Word installed, so I installed it, which was surprisingly easy. I made blog entries using Word, answered several emails (but not all because some files were on the main PC), and posted to Facebook.
After a few days of not writing, I needed a creative outlet. However, I could not work on my books because I did not want to lose two weeks of work. So, I worked on my sixth book outline. It still had plot issues, and I went over the outline for three days. Now, I feel ready to write that book—a minor win.
If this issue occurs again, I will buy a new (model) motherboard, processor, and RAM. This fix will be faster (in repair time) and is more likely to solve the problem. It is also the less expensive route.
I made backups every 1-2 weeks before my computer drama. I had an extra SSD drive from another project, and I installed it into the main computer. Now, after every edit, I make a full backup copy of all my documents onto that drive. Now, I have a new routine. I make a full backup every Sunday, which takes about 10 minutes.
This event taught me a lot. I am far more dependent on my computer than I realized. Computers have deeply woven their way into our modern life. They are essential for communication, organization, and social interaction. This incident made me realize that I have bonded with my machine.
Yet, my test computer can do the same tasks as my main computer. What was the difference? My computer (I need to give her a name) (Yes, all good things in life are female) has every relevant file in the correct location. I organized all my internet bookmarks the way I want them, and I have my old emails collected for easy searches. Every program has the preferences perfectly set up, and even the icons on the desktop are right where I expect them to be. As a result, I am more effective when I use my main computer. I am also more relaxed during and after our interaction. Yes, I think the exchange goes both ways.
This little experience was actually an enormous setback. I now understand that my computer is not alive, and yet she is. And yes, I am thinking about her right now as I finish this blog. Thank you, my friend, for helping me to be a better person. I also thank you for allowing me to connect with my four blog readers!
Thus, my repair quest began. In the past, I had to replace the motherboard, and this seemed like the most obvious failed component. Because it is five years old, I ordered a used motherboard on eBay. Five days later, the seller canceled the order. So, I ordered another used motherboard on eBay, but I failed to see the no return policy. Three days later, it arrived, and I realized that I had ordered the wrong model. Girrrr. I ordered a third used motherboard on eBay, and the seller canceled. I then spotted a fourth used one eBay, and this one came with a bunch of accessories. (Including a processor. We call this foreshadowing.) Plus, it was at a great price! The seller canceled.
I was aware of more expensive used motherboards on Amazon, but they came from China and required ten days. So, I ordered one. In the meantime, one appeared on an eBay auction. I placed a low bid to have a backup motherboard in case the one from China failed. My bid was the lowest, and it took three days to arrive. We will call this motherboard 'A.' I put A in, and I accidentally damaged the pins on the original motherboard when I removed it. Girrrr. No problem because it was bad. When I turned A on… Nothing! I realized the processor was the problem! Girrrr. At this point, I had been without a main computer for three weeks.
I ordered a used processor on eBay, and three days later, I put it in. Success! Yay!! The first thing I did was backup everything. What an enormous relief! I answered emails like a madman and did all the tasks I could not do on other computers. My life returned to normal, and motherboard 'B' arrived from China. A day later, the nightmare returned. I got a Blue Screen of Death! Typically, I get one of these a year.
Soon, I got another, and by the end of the day, I was getting blue screens every five minutes. I installed motherboard B. At first, it would not boot consistently. I did a RAM speed BIOS tweak, and the system has run fine ever since. The wave of relief was overwhelming, and my stress subsided. Finally, I got a good night's sleep.
During my computer downtime, I used my "test computer." I used this older machine for trying new programs or running long-duration tasks.
Because it did not have Word installed, so I installed it, which was surprisingly easy. I made blog entries using Word, answered several emails (but not all because some files were on the main PC), and posted to Facebook.
After a few days of not writing, I needed a creative outlet. However, I could not work on my books because I did not want to lose two weeks of work. So, I worked on my sixth book outline. It still had plot issues, and I went over the outline for three days. Now, I feel ready to write that book—a minor win.
If this issue occurs again, I will buy a new (model) motherboard, processor, and RAM. This fix will be faster (in repair time) and is more likely to solve the problem. It is also the less expensive route.
I made backups every 1-2 weeks before my computer drama. I had an extra SSD drive from another project, and I installed it into the main computer. Now, after every edit, I make a full backup copy of all my documents onto that drive. Now, I have a new routine. I make a full backup every Sunday, which takes about 10 minutes.
This event taught me a lot. I am far more dependent on my computer than I realized. Computers have deeply woven their way into our modern life. They are essential for communication, organization, and social interaction. This incident made me realize that I have bonded with my machine.
Yet, my test computer can do the same tasks as my main computer. What was the difference? My computer (I need to give her a name) (Yes, all good things in life are female) has every relevant file in the correct location. I organized all my internet bookmarks the way I want them, and I have my old emails collected for easy searches. Every program has the preferences perfectly set up, and even the icons on the desktop are right where I expect them to be. As a result, I am more effective when I use my main computer. I am also more relaxed during and after our interaction. Yes, I think the exchange goes both ways.
This little experience was actually an enormous setback. I now understand that my computer is not alive, and yet she is. And yes, I am thinking about her right now as I finish this blog. Thank you, my friend, for helping me to be a better person. I also thank you for allowing me to connect with my four blog readers!
My Dear Friend
On June third of this year, my computer’s processor failed. Getting it working was an epic journey of frustration:
http://interviewingimmortality.com/bl...
Since my reboot (of course, I used a computer term) I have reflected upon this incident and the place in my life that my computer occupies. The adventure forced me to realize my computer is a profoundly essential part of my life, in some ways more important than my car. I suppose we cannot truly understand how important something is until we lose it. The time apart from my computer was brief but unexpectedly difficult. The loss added stress to my life, and after my computer returned, I was not the same for at least three weeks.
Because of this incident, I changed the way I back up my system. After every writing secession, every single Microsoft Word file gets backed up on a separate drive I installed for this single purpose. Before, I backed up every 1-3 weeks depending on my mood or if I needed to open the safe.
This new scheme made me wonder why I could not accept a few days of lost effort. I think my paranoia stems from the way I think linearly and set logical goals. Every writing aspect has to be organized and pondered well in advance. Unfortunately, that life plan does not include re-starting a project, and I have difficulty conceiving such a reality.
I was willing to wait six weeks to avoid losing one week of editing work. How would I describe this behavior? The term obsessive covers my actions.
My blogs fall into this same category. I obsess over them and would hate to re-start/re-edit one. That darn linear thinking. However, there was a benefit. My obsessive backups took the pressure off my life. I also did a better job of backing up files I keep in the safe.
Losing something is never easy, and we certainly appreciate getting it returned. I am happy to have my computer back, and I still need to name her. Does she feel like a Sarah or Gwen? Hmm. “Grace” popped into my head as I was editing. This task will be something to ponder while I am typing away late at night in the warm glow of my returned friend, whom I missed so dearly.
http://interviewingimmortality.com/bl...
Since my reboot (of course, I used a computer term) I have reflected upon this incident and the place in my life that my computer occupies. The adventure forced me to realize my computer is a profoundly essential part of my life, in some ways more important than my car. I suppose we cannot truly understand how important something is until we lose it. The time apart from my computer was brief but unexpectedly difficult. The loss added stress to my life, and after my computer returned, I was not the same for at least three weeks.
Because of this incident, I changed the way I back up my system. After every writing secession, every single Microsoft Word file gets backed up on a separate drive I installed for this single purpose. Before, I backed up every 1-3 weeks depending on my mood or if I needed to open the safe.
This new scheme made me wonder why I could not accept a few days of lost effort. I think my paranoia stems from the way I think linearly and set logical goals. Every writing aspect has to be organized and pondered well in advance. Unfortunately, that life plan does not include re-starting a project, and I have difficulty conceiving such a reality.
I was willing to wait six weeks to avoid losing one week of editing work. How would I describe this behavior? The term obsessive covers my actions.
My blogs fall into this same category. I obsess over them and would hate to re-start/re-edit one. That darn linear thinking. However, there was a benefit. My obsessive backups took the pressure off my life. I also did a better job of backing up files I keep in the safe.
Losing something is never easy, and we certainly appreciate getting it returned. I am happy to have my computer back, and I still need to name her. Does she feel like a Sarah or Gwen? Hmm. “Grace” popped into my head as I was editing. This task will be something to ponder while I am typing away late at night in the warm glow of my returned friend, whom I missed so dearly.
