30 November 06

Computer Woes (or) If You Know Me, Email Me

My laptop computer has been struggling in months recent, noticeable by its increasing tendency to overheat and shut down. After a little online research, I found the likely issue — a dust clog in the ventilation, which is apparently something this model of laptop (a Toshiba A70) is well known for (besides the annoyingly loud fans, and barely usable volume control). I also found out that to clean out the clog you have to completely, and I mean completely, disassemble the laptop to get to the clogged vents. So I found some instructions online for dismantling a Toshiba A70, bought a laptop toolkit and a can of compressed air for cleaning out the problem and went to work on the thing a few nights back after the wife and child went to bed.

To make a long story short (actually the long version with photos will be published at wion.com) the process went well, but the result was terrible. I know that’s kind of ass-backwards logic, but here’s the deal: I fixed what I set out to fix, by evidence of the much quieter fans (since the dust clog was gone), but somewhere along the line I broke something critical because I seem to have lost video capability in my laptop. No, that does not mean video as in watch a movie, but rather I don’t have any visual display working at all. After doing some more online research, this time with Hanane’s laptop, I found that such problems are likely due to the motherboard being damaged, and if that’s the case you’re better off getting a new laptop than paying to fix one that is somewhat dated, which mine is (and as I’ve mentioned, it’s also well-known for clogging easily and having very loud fans).

As if that’s not bad enough, here’s the worst part: I lost a lot of data, including all my email contacts for people. See, I use the fantastic Thunderbird email client, but since all my contacts were stored as files in the laptop, they are now gone. I do have a backup of my system, but not as recent of a backup as I would like to admit (more recent attempts at backing up the laptop failed because the damn thing kept overheating and shutting down when I tried. Same problem when running virus scans. I guess those particular activities require a lot of background processing so the central processing unit (CPU) would overheat due to all the dust around. I was screwed no matter what and the only thing I could do was try and clear the dust clogs.

Anyway, I’m going to buy a new laptop (this time a Mac). I have to. It’s critical. But what I can’t replace is my lost contact information…emails in particular are all I need. So if you read this article, and you’re family, friend, or acquaintance, then please drop me an email so I have your email again. You can also comment to my articles and I can retain an email that way too, so if you have replied to any of my articles (Isabelle), then you don’t need to worry about it.

Quick notes:

  1. Senior El: He’s doing great, starting to crawl around and his first tooth is coming in. His smile is infectious, constant.
  2. The job: It’s going OK, but still quite the struggle with the language thing. It’s a good thing I know my trade or I’d be completely lost. I’m still bewildered by my life actually, how I’m here in France and fumbling through it like groping through the dark.
  3. The States: I’m way past due for a little trip back, and I think that’s going to happen sooner than later, even if it’s just me. We’ll see.
Floral Pattern

  1. isabelle :: 1 December 06 :: #

    well, if you go back to the STates, make sure you don’t pack too many clothing and leave room for all the books and tapes or nursery rythms that are difficult to find in France or expensive to buy via internet because of the shipping costs !!!
    I KNOW it’s early now but the next few years will go in a flash and THEN you’ll need the physical/practical ressources to introduce your son to YOUR language, and YOUR culture ….(by the way , did you ever get those alphabet wooden cubes you mentionned in the spring ?????). Isabelle.

  2. Richard Rothfus :: 15 December 06 :: #

    Greetings Daddy-o, Contact me so we can catch up. love you- Richard

  3. Destry :: 16 December 06 :: #

    @Isabelle: Good tip about leaving some room in the baggage, or I’ll just buy another bag for gifts. The alphabet blocks are on the way, my mother is sending a couple of bags.

    @Richard: Dude, finally. I will write you tonight when I have some more time. Count on it. And please tell me you have a computer now (but wait for my email).