Monday, December 23, 2013

PC Woes – Humbug!


After my last blog post of December 14, the PC started acting up.  I was able to use it for a couple of days.  But then a near digital disaster made its ugly debut when the warning of an imminent hard disk failure unexpectedly popped up on the screen. 

I immediately called into action the diagnostic power of Norton 360 to check out the entire PC. Not good!  The analytic software kicked out the following message:  The disk hardware is predicting the hard drive will eventually fail.  Backup your data and replace your hard drive.”

That’s a warning message of impending computer death and the loss of all files.  It’s not what any PC user wants to see.  But it definitely is one that a PC user can ignore only at his or her peril.
 
 But I was prepared to fight back.  I unboxed the Seagate backup drive that I had purchased from Costco, connected it, installed the backup software, and let it do its thing.  After about five hours, all data files were securely backed up.

Whew!!

But that was just the beginning.  After further delays, the PC is now at the Staples tech center in Raritan awaiting delivery of a one terabyte replacement hard disk and its installation on the PC.

The Christmas rush and a queue of other repair work at Staples may further delay the return of my dear and lovable – though not always reliable – writing and research machine.

With a bit of luck, though, I hope to get it back by Friday of this week.  Ugh – very ugly situation! 

When the PC is fixed, I’ll still have to reinstall the software for all of the applications, followed by the restoration of the data files which are now securely resting on the backup drive.

Meanwhile, I’ll be relying on the good graces of my lifelong partner to share usage  on her PC.  I may also take a breather over the holidays.

Thanks for reading.  Pris and I extend our very best wishes that the peace of Christmas may descend upon your homes and over all of your loved ones.

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