Last night, I finally got my computer back. Yes, it's been 6 weeks. It's been so long I've gotten used to living without one...
I check my email in the library (their poor computers have probably had their life-span significantly reduced from my usage alone), and have actually been way more productive when I'm actually at home.
And umm...I've been using the Macs at the library, and I have to say I like them better. Yikes, I can't believe I just put down. I've always been a staunch PC-lover. (This is funny--I googled 'make your PC look like a Mac', and there are pages of information on what skins to download, etc...)
Regardless, I'm still pretty damn pumped to have my own computer again. But. IT'S NOT FIXED!!!! I mean, it works now. I don't get the dreaded 'Blue Screen of Death' anymore, and the internal modem is once again functional. However...it still takes about 10 minutes (not exaggerating here, people...) to boot up, and the whole system just runs at the most ridiculously slow speed...it's so slow I can't even attempt to make a comparison. It's really freaking slow.
The Geek Squad's explanation? 'Well, it's a year and a half old. That's what happens.'
A year and a half? That's old??? This computer cost $1,500...and now I'm supposed to be getting a new one every year? Not even to maintain top of the line status, but just to keep the damn thing functioning? That's crazy.
They build these things to break within 2 years. It's the same thing with cell phones...they break just as your contract is about the run out so that you have to sign another 2 year contract to avoid paying hundreds of dollars for a new cell phone. ARGHHHH!
It's totally insane, and on top of that--a horrible waste of money.
Okay, that's the end of my soap-box rant.
I'll deal with my computer being slow. I just won't reboot it...ever. And if I have to, I'll just leave the house while it's attempting to come back to life so that I don't have to watch the excruciatingly slow process. And the next computer I get (not any time soon, despite Mr.GeekSquad's despairaging comments)? It'll be a Mac.
5 comments:
Well, without casting TOO wide a net, I'd say the first issue is where you were. I have little faith in that company's ability to resolve any computer issue that doesn't require them to ship the computer back to the manufacturer or outright replace it.
My current computer is far older than a year, and has zero problems. Then again, my best friend and I did most of the work on it.
If you want to send me the general make up of the computer (RAM, chipset, OS, etc), I'll give you my gut shot on whether age is a factor (initial guess is a big NOT).
My guess would be there is still a lot of junk they failed to get off the computer. If you can now do a good back up, and are comfortable reinstalling, I'd format the hard drive and start over. If you don't have experience hunting and rooting out disruptive or destructive software, it's the easiest fix.
You need to reinstall Windows XP. This should include reformatting the Hard drive as well.
Buy a USB extarnal Hard drive, copy all your personal stuff on there first.
There should be a quick start/rescue/setup disk that came with the computer that will install XP and all the drivers needed for the hardware that came with the PC.
Computers get slow because there are many small applications running, the hard drive gets disorganized and the internal XP database gets large and takes time to search through.
It hurts to do this, but it will certainly help with the speed issue. It only takes 1.5-2.5 hrs usually.
That is what Nerds should have done for you.
Agreed if it's only 1.5yrs old, it shouldn't be slow. Back up your personal files and try and do a "hard reboot" as they call, reinstall the OS like william said.
Also, make sure you have spyware remover on it...sometimes if your computer is overrun with spyware it'll really bog down your system.
Just two of many options from your local computer geek. (what can I say I work as a network/computer security specialist, it pays the bills I guess)
I think the above comments are valid and worthy of consideration. I went through the same issues a while back.
However, I was not very excited about reloading Windows, reformating hard drives etc on my own so I found an independent local computer servicing company that does not sell computers.
They took my machine away for a couple of days, did all the work, brought it back and things are once again back to normal.
P.S. My machine is 3.5 years old.
dude. mac is the way to go. and lucky for you, you have this RAD friend (me) who happens to work here and can hook you up with mad $$ off. more stable OS (way way WAY more stable), better GUI, longer life span, lower TCO (total cost of ownership). oh, and now, if you really REALLY want to, you can install windows XP on a Mac if you just can't live without microsoft.
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