| Looking back three weeks. Our Dell computer was | | | | drive somewhere. So Neil instructs me how to run the |
| fried. The Toro lawnmower was taken to the shop for | | | | spyware and ant-virus software. Neil said, " If your |
| repairs and the GE refrigerator was on the fritz. And | | | | lucky, you'll catch the virus first time through. |
| this all happened on one fateful day in July. Thankfully | | | | Quarnatine it. And there is a 50% chance it won't |
| nothing has broken since then, but I'm sure as I'm | | | | come back." I'm relieved to have Neil help me because |
| writing this, another piece of vital equipment will | | | | he's always realistic about your success rate when |
| probably make th FIX IT list. | | | | trying to fix computers. He never tries to kid me. It |
| So here goes... I declare the next weekend. "FIX IT" | | | | takes another 4 hours to run the software programs. |
| weekend. On saturday I get up the courage to try and | | | | We caught the virus first time through. And it's never |
| fix the Dell Computer. I'm reluctant because I'm not | | | | been back. One fix down, two to go. |
| sure what I'm doing and I know that it will probably take | | | | CJ and I hustle over to the Toro repair center to pick |
| me 5 hours or more to fix our fried critter. But CJ has | | | | up the lawn mower. And head back home. |
| been on my case to fix it. He says he needs the | | | | The mower starts on the first pull, and CJ's off and |
| computer for his homework and other related | | | | mowing. That was a lot easier than the computer. |
| tasks(flying Microsoft Flight Simulator). Actually he's | | | | Two fixes down and one more to go. The only thing |
| really on my case because he wants to fly Flight Sim, | | | | left to fix is our refrigerator. |
| not because he's worried about his school work which | | | | Rich's technician arrived about 5:30 PM. Pulls the |
| starts in 2 weeks. | | | | refrigerator out from its cubicle. Gets down and |
| Right away, I call Dell and tell them about my problem. | | | | unscrews the cover plate. Nothing happens for about |
| Fortunately, on my first call, I get a great tech out of | | | | 10 minutes. Then we start to hear some mumbling and |
| Utah. I explain my problem and he coaches me on my | | | | a few voice words. I ask, "Is everything OK?" The |
| first step - try and reload Windows XP. With some | | | | reply, "I'm not sure. The replacement part I bought does |
| luck and lots of patience, 3 hours later Windows is | | | | not look like the right part. I better call somebody about |
| reloaded with only minor difficulties. I reboot the | | | | this." |
| computer and it actually starts up. Wow! What a relief. | | | | A few more minutes go by, finally Mark(the technician) |
| I hate spending hours working on something only to | | | | says, " I'm sorry about this part. But the replacement |
| find out it doesn't work. And then have to admit to | | | | part does not fit. I need to research this a little further. |
| myself that I really should have someone qualified | | | | We'll have to get back to you next week. And if you |
| doing the job. | | | | don't mind, please don't tell Rich about this because I |
| I then quickly call Neil and tell him about what happened | | | | think I screwed up." |
| and ask him what I should do now. I'm apprehensive | | | | "No problem, Mark," I said. As he leaves I'm thinking, well |
| because I know the viruses may still be on the hard | | | | 2 out of 3 problems fixed is not too bad. |