03 December 2008

A Tale of Woe

Sorry I've been invisible for the last week...I've had computer problems and it all started with a storm.

I was doing some work and heard a faint rumble of thunder. I was halfway through a file and thought I had plenty of time to finish it, close down and pull the plugs out. However, the storm arrived pretty quickly, the person dictating was umming and aaahing, changing their mind, etc. when suddenly there was a flash of lightning, a crack of thunder, a bang from somewhere behind the computer and things went dead.

"#%$#=!!" I said.

Turned out the surge protector had done its job and protected the modem and hard drive, but the mouse and screen were out. So, I decided to upgrade the RAM as well as buy new peripherals. Got the mouse and surge protector ok, but the screen I wanted had to be ordered as they'd run out. I'm not surprised...it's a 19" LCD with a 3 year warranty for only $265. Too good a bargain to turn down and I was prepared to wait for it.

I picked the new screen up today, plugged it in, installed it and I can see things without my glasses! Hey, I really like that.

Anyway, that's why I've not been around lately. I'll try and continue the NZ trip within the next day or two. Hope you are all well and not letting the Silly Season get to you too much.

12 comments:

Gattina said...

Now I understand, I thought you had forgotten me in Egypt, lol ! Geez what a thunderstorm, we had strong once here to but it always missed us. At least something positive is coming out : A new screen !! Now you can see us better, lol !
I am still with half my heart under palmtrees and 30°, the other has to be here in 4° and grey weather. It's not so much the cold or rain which botheres me but I miss the luminosity ! I now asked for Christmas a special lamp which is made by Philips, it looks like a normal lamp but "produces" sunshine. It's called "luminositherapy" (what a word !) Apparently I depend very much on light. Grey and darkness makes me depressive.

Gattina said...

BTW, I published photos on my Writer Cramps blog all 2 weeks long.

Walker said...

Yup lightning will do it everytime.
Its to bad the surge protector didnt save it all but i guess its better loosing a little and not alot.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness for surge protectors. You certainly have some frightening storms in your neck of the woods. I remember them well from when I lived on the Gold Coast.

Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your NZ trip.

Anonymous said...

Hi Robyn, that sucks. I never really thought about lightning and the computer. Maybe we don't get a lot of lightning storms in this part of Canada. But I do remember people telling me to turn off my computer during storms when I was in the Philippines. I never really believed them.... but I guess they were telling the truth. I hope your new equipment works out great!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a frightening storm and glad your okay.

Your really clever fixing up your puter :-)

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

We never let the Silly Season get to us because we know it is not really what the world makes of it!!
We are not getting much this year and i really am not asking for a thing. I would love to ask for a life without pain but that is not going to happen I guess.
Glad that you are back up and running again...Sandy

Merle said...

G'Day Dear Robyn ~~ Glad to see you back and you have been missed. Sorry
about the storm, and I hear there are more due tonight up there, so take care. Thanks for your comments,
But No ~ the garden setting didn't come from Bunnings ~ That darn sign was up!! I got it at K. Mart. They haven't figured out how to keep me out yet. Take care, Love & Hugs, Merle.

Peter said...

G'day Robyn, good to hear you haven't passed away!!!
Please email me your postal address before Monday (when I leave for SA) so I can send you a Christmas message, we exchanged cards in person last year you may recall.

Carole Burant said...

What is that you said when the computer went dead???? hehe Thank goodness for the surge protectors, shows how important it is to have one! Glad you're back online and you'll love your new monitor:-) xoxo

Jeanette said...

Gday Robyn.Really good to see you back.thought you might have been washed out in those dreadfull storms, I love my new 19inch Monitor.
the silly season is well and truly apon us...Cheers

Anonymous said...

Phew, that close! I'm glad that it was not more damaged then. Yeah, buying new things sometimes aren't that bad :-)