new computer

[low_delta]

Got a new computer. The old one stopped booting up. The kids at the Geek Squad told me it wouldn't really be worth upgrading or even fixing (plus, I don't have the Windows install disks). I dropped a thousand on a new box, got my old files transferred, plugged it in, and it works. There's my christmas present to myself.

I still have the old one. I'm going to install XP and see if it works and if I can use it for storage or something.

Comments

congrats!

[i.livejournal.com]

if you got a desktop, you might just consider adding your old harddrive to the new box

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Not a bad idea. If only I could figure out how to do that.

[i.livejournal.com]

it's easy. open up your box. if the ribbon cable going to your hard drive has an extra plug, you can just plug the old drive in there and it will show up. if not, you'd need to get another cable. mine has the extra plug, i don't know if that's typical.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Good idea. Now if I can get the music to start up automatically, so I don't have to have a monitor hooked up...

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I just might do one or the other. If I don't feel too guilty about not donating it. :-)

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

or you could check some of the short term shelters and give them the computer. When I volunteered at one, the equipment they used was about 15 years old. Government funding never seems to reach the places it's really needed. The computer I used was for helping draft resumes for the people at the shelter and it was a challenge to use to say the least.

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

What a great idea! I've heard of donating cell phones for women that have restraining orders against dangerous boyfriends/husbands and I alway thought that was a good idea too.

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

That is a good idea. Interestingly, when my ex and I volunteered with the Big Brother's organization, the mother of the little boy we sponsored wore an alarm attached to a chain around her neck. It rang directly at the police.

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

That's exactly it. They program the phones so that you hit any button and it goes directly to the police department. It seems to me that an alarm around the neck would be more handy. Can you imagine having to live that way? I'm grateful everyday.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea.

There was an article in the local paper, a week or two ago, about places you can donate to. It makes me wonder, though, what they have to do to get a computer working.

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

I'd pick the place that doesn't get advertising. Call the places that work with people right off the streets. In my opinion, they get the least financing and publicity.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I'll definitely keep it in mind. I want to keep the thing, but Cyn keeps trying to convince me ot get rid of it.

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

pack rat ;)

[shoo.livejournal.com]

Sweet! It must be a cool computer for $1000 How fast is it? I love new computers. I bet you can't stop playing with it... ;)

If is doesn't boot, I thought that meant the hard drive was trashed. I'd make sure to wipe the hard drive clean before donating...
Same as cell phones. Many people donate them but forget to get their info off and personal info can be stolen. In one case, a cell phone number was left on the phone after the consumer upgraded. The phone number was still active and the one donated was used to run up a horrible bill.

I agree with Sunny, The women's shelters need them badly. They are used for 911 (since those are free calls) in case their perpetrator comes back to harm them.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

It cost $650. But I got a service plan, and Norton, and the data copied to it from my old computer. It adds up.

Actually, it did boot up, but only in safe mode. That doesn't do me a whole lot of good, really. I'm going to wipe it when I load XP. If that doesn't work, then I'll see about donating it.