My computer’s half of what I thought it was

Um, can you resend that in a different format?

That’s usually the email message I send after someone – typically a teacher or coach – sends me a link to access a Google Drive document or photos. I’m sure they probably think I’m inept, that I can’t even maneuver my way around a simple Google Drive.

They could be correct, but the maneuvering isn’t the problem, the access is the issue. My computer was so old, it couldn’t be updated anymore to keep up with new technology. Yeah, I know, it seems like Google Drive has been around forever, but my poor computer still wouldn’t recognize it.

The computer also was having fits over opening simple programs installed on the computer, as well as transferring files, displaying photos and oh yeah, freezing up constantly. (We call it the spinning wheel of death.)

Sometimes, emails wouldn’t send an attachment or wouldn’t send a simple line of text at all. If I answered an email from my phone, my computer freaked out and sometimes wouldn’t display the attachment, so I had to wait until I got in the office to answer; that bugged me, because I am known for answering messages as quickly as I can.

In the past, unsaved items left on my computer desktop have mysteriously disappeared as the computer “slept” overnight. At times, they would reappear and unlike the time random rubber bands were left on the desk by a certain co-worker’s daughter who will remain unnamed, I knew this was no practical joke, nor was it to be blamed on the office “ghost cat.”

The computer was also acting very, very, very slowly while processing (saving) documents, printing things and searching the internet. For the last couple years, it seemed the only way to boost the speed and productivity, was to shut the whole system down for a couple days or overnight.

If I didn’t, I’d pay for it the next time I tried to do my work. It wasn’t ideal, because I then had to wait for the computer to reboot and I timed it for the heck of it a few times – it was a minimum of 20 minutes before it was ready to use.

I use the past terms, because a few weeks ago, the company IT person surprised me by showing up with a brand new model! OK, OK, it’s not exactly brand new (2012), but it’s newer than the one I had.

After he installed it, I was in shock by how much bigger and clearer the screen is, and by how fast the system is. Internet, emails, photos, programs, everything is lightning speed. Even the startup takes about 30 seconds and I’m ready to go.

I can now access websites that my old computer wouldn’t open, because “the hardware is not recognized,” whatever that means; I mean, it’s a website, for goodness sakes. Google Drive is a breeze – I even made my own file and gave access to photos on there to a friend. I am so proud of myself!

Oh yeah, for sure, I love my new computer and am getting my work done so fast now. I absolutely adore the new upgrade and am so grateful for it.

There’s just one little catch. About a week and a half after the new computer arrived, I left for the weekend, happily confident that all would be well when I came in on Monday morning. Then, that Sunday, in our group Messenger chat, I received a photo from my co-worker, who went into the office and noticed that my computer had crashed.

Literally.

The front half of it came crashing down on my desk, for no apparent reason, other than the adhesive holding it together gave way. Thankfully, it missed smashing my keyboard and mouse, and didn’t have any cracks to the screen that I could see. However, when I tried to start it, it came on, but was black screen and made a ccccchhhhing noise.

Great. I pushed the front half of the computer back on and it seemed to stick OK, so I made a call to one of the main offices and sent the photo of the “damage,” then waited. Repair will be later today, use the old one if you can.

Alrighty. Thankfully, the old one was still here as a backup, so I hooked it back up, got it started and still found everything I needed to get my work done. Never neglect backing up files, people, it is a lifesaver!

I shoved the new computer behind the old one and typed along, when thunk, it happened again. The new computer again fell in half, this time hitting the old computer in front of it, preventing the screen from crashing onto the desk. I put the screen back in place and resumed work.

Several more times, the new computer split in half, but other than me gasping each time it startled me, I worked undisturbed. Anyway, when the IT person came, he was floored by what happened and said he never had encountered anything like that before.

Stick with me, buddy, I haven’t even scratched the surface of what my bad luck can do!

After working for a little bit, the IT guy discovered that a switch had jiggled loose when the front fell down, so all was good when he wiggled it back into place. He applied new adhesive to the frame, as well as a couple pieces of duct tape to the outside of the screen, just in case (you can’t even tell they’re there, blends in great).

I’m still in love with my new computer and zip through my work now that there are no delays in the system. Thanks to the tape, I don’t fear anymore crashes – other than the server, that is.

The whole experience just goes to show you, Youngs never do anything by half. Too soon for jokes? Nah, what’s the point of disasters if you can’t have a little jest at your own expense?

It’s half the fun of it.