Monday, August 8, 2022

GOT LUCKY--I THINK


Don't know about you but I am not tech savvy.  I am stumbling along with an ancient computer, am using Windows 7 and sadly,  my geek go-to-friend passed last year.  I so envy those of you who have family members or friends on call to walk you through the dark, technical areas. 

So when something goes wrong here, I usually stagger around a bit but usually end up at the computer doctor's place of business. 

This time it snuck up on me.  First my computer crashed  but rebooting and running a scan seemed to fix things.  Then a few days later, I got a pop up screen that said I was running out of memory.  Now that hurt my feelings a bit. I know that, but how does Windows know? Then I realized it was not a personal observation but that my computer was running out of memory, not me--yet. OK.

First I cleared my cache which bought me some space.  Then I uninstalled unused programs.  That seemed to help my memory but then my wireless mouse just died. OK, now I am getting worried. I was under attack.

I could move my cursor with the mouse but the clickers didn't work. New battery didn't help. Simple solution would have been to just buy a new mouse but since the stores were closed, I had to futz around with it first to see if I could make it work. Just the stubborn in me.

Truthfully, I can't say just what all I tried next for it was just a case of oops, maybe and oh dear. I got into areas I totally didn't recognize and I am sure I could have lost everything.  Fortunately, my computer and all its functions survived. 

Then as maybe a reward for my efforts, the mouse spontaneously resuscitated and once more clicked away perfectly. I have no clue what worked, just grateful I didn't kill my computer.

Do you attempt to cure your computer's ills, call a family member or friend,  or do you run to the computer hospital when things go sour?

41 comments :

  1. I Google for answers first then, trytofixit myself. I learn that way.

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    1. Anni,
      I do that too but sometimes it takes me into what I call scary areas.

      Delete
  2. I am impressed by your skills! Using words like cleared the cache, uninstalled programs is beyond me. I have a contract with the Geek Squad from Best Buy. Otherwise I'm lost.

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    1. Judee,
      Welcome to TNS and thanks for stopping by and commenting. I wish we had a Best Buy near by. When I get lost, I take it to a local fixer. Miss my geek friend.

      Delete
  3. Oh Patti... I feel for you. As you know, I'm your Windows 7 brother, not many of us left. And I spent much of Sunday night trying to jiggle the cord to my ancient laptop to keep it from powering down. If you think I won, I'm reading and typing this on my teeny tiny smartphone screen! I applaud your stubborn spirit and please keep us posted on what happens next. I for one really want to know. 🙂

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    1. Doug,
      Ha ha, we are hanging on to an OLD platform aren't we? Still it has held up for the both of us so far. Can't imagine trying to access a blog with a smart phone. Kudos and thanks for making the extra effort.

      Delete
  4. Well done, Patti! So satisfying when we fix a problem ourselves. Except for buying a new mouse (a corded one) last year, my 2008 iMac computer still works perfectly. It's my main work horse but I also have a 2012 iPad and a 2 year old iBook. Good to have backups.

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    1. Florence,
      Wow, your Mac is older than my laptop. Probably a good thing that you have back up. I need to invest in some back up also. Would give comfort to know there is an alternative.

      Delete
  5. I get a new laptop every three or four years or so, which keeps me from dealing with these sorts of problems. It's time for a new one, you are reminding me, before this happens to me!

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    1. Djan,
      That would be the way to do it if it weren't for having to transfer all my stuff from the old computer to the new one. I find that intimidating. You must be skilled at it by now.

      Delete
  6. I believe that a benefits/cost (in terms of the aggravation) analysis would certainly reveal that all the technology has actually added negative value to my life.

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    1. Olga,
      I agree the aggravation is steep but the thought of going without a computer makes me shake like a junkie. I am hooked and ever so grateful for it during this pandemic.

      Delete
  7. Sorry to hear about your computer and mouse issues. It's been such a long time since I used a mouse, I didn't even know they used batteries. We've been using laptops for so many years now, but they give us trouble too. I hope things stay working there, Patti. I wish we lived close by so we could come by and help.

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    1. Robin,
      Actually I have a laptop but I hate the keyboard and built in mouse so I added a wireless keyboard and mouse. I basically turned my laptop into a PC. Me too wishing you lived closer.

      Delete
  8. Man, I don't know how you do it. But you did get the computer and mouse fixed on your own. That's great. We call the Geek Squad only when we have been hacked.

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    1. gigi,
      I truly got lucky. Infact, I have no idea what I did that made a difference. If it hadn't been evening, I'd have probably loaded up and taken it to the computer hospital.

      Delete
  9. I admire your persistence. I myself have very little patience with the trial-and-error method of fixing computer problems. I usually go down to our local computer store -- D'Town Tech -- and they put things right, no problem. Sometimes they don't even charge me, b/c what might take me all day to figure out, they do in less than a minute.

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    1. Tom,
      I had a computer guy like you mentioned but he went out of business. He would pull up a chair to the desk and we would solve the problem together and like your guy, charged very little or not at all.
      I sure miss him.

      Delete
  10. I google for answers but I have no one to take my issues to except the pay tech places. The last time I bought a computer the guy set me up with a program that cleans and repairs stuff and cleans out cookies and spyware on a daily bases and I think that saves a lot of trouble.

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    1. Jean,
      I try to clean mine up each week but it would really be nice to have a program that would do it daily. I will check that out. Thanks.

      Delete
  11. I google for answers then call John. I'm running Win10 and my laptop wants me to upgrade to 11. I'm hesitant because upgrades usually mess something (or more than one something) up! Glad that the issues were resolved, and you appear to know more than you think you do!

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    1. Margaret,
      That makes me mad when they keep changing the programs which is why I am still nursing Windows 7. Those upgrades can really mess up a computer and sometimes make things like printers or scanners obsolete.

      Delete
  12. I'm scared to venture into my PC's inner workings. When I do, all of the options seem like it will do something damaging. I don't have a laptop, or tablet, but I do have smart phone. Fortunately my kid lives nearby (he built my PC.) One time he said "just click around and see..." That sounds like exploratory surgery when you don't know where the nerves are. Linda in Kansas

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    1. Linda,
      Like the idea of exploratory surgery only by an unskilled surgeon, me. I am always so afraid to hit "OK" or enter for fear I will strip my computer bare. So far my patient has lived. Hope my luck holds out.

      Delete
  13. My last laptop died as a result of drop that pulled the cord and damaged the pins. Sadly, I didn't recognize I was on battery life and lost a lot of documents. :( I tried a computer repair place and they said it wasn't repairable.
    So now I'm using a computer with Windows 11, and I'm already running into issues with lack of memory. That's what happens when I bought the cheapest model). I've moved my docs and photos to an external hard drive and I back it up regularly. Learned my lesson.
    But I do have the luxury of a son who is far more tech savvy than I am and usually he can fix most issues I run into.
    Good luck with your 'puter!

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    1. Eileen,
      Your use of an external hard drive may be in my future also. Seems like a good idea. I sure would hate to lose years of stuff. Glad your son is handy with savvy.

      Delete
  14. Luckily our grandson lives with us and can usually fix anything on the computer. But as a backup, we also have the Geek Squad from Best Buy. You don't have to bring your computer to the store (or at least not in most cases). They can usually fix it by connecting online. And we never even had Windows 7. Old desktop (which still works, but not supported well) still on Vista. But our laptop is Windows 10...

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    1. Rian,
      Vista?? Wow you really do have a relic. I had that before Windows 7. So glad it is still working all right for you as a backup. That is what I need, back up.

      Delete
  15. WE don't have a "tech guy" anymore so I/we Google our issues and try DIY. Often that works. Otherwise, we have a Geek Squad account for complicated fixes.

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    1. Isn't DIY scary?? It is for me. I keep thinking I will press the wrong key and wipe out years of "stuff". Glad you have go-to for the complicated things.

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  16. I call "no-one' who always helps me out if I can't find the solution on my own. I have a wireless mouse but don't use it, preferring the fingerpad on my laptop, but I also have a regular plug in mouse which I can use if I need to. Perhaps keep one of those handy for when the wireless one doesn't work?

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  17. River,
    I have a laptop also but I have never warmed up to the keypad and finger pad that comes with it. I added a wireless keyboard and mouse which I am more comfortable with. I use my laptop as a PC. Luckily though, I was able to use the laptop version while looking for a cure.

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  18. I send a desperate "help me" message to my tech guru son who lives across the country from me. One of my gadgets is usually working so I can message. Often I keep pursuing the problem and sometimes end up solving it before he would have found my message given our time difference. I don't always know what I did to fix it, but he always praises me for having done so.

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    1. Joared,
      I know what you mean. When I do accidently fix something I had gone down so many paths that who knows what worked? So glad you do have your son to tap into though.

      Delete
  19. It's me, it's always me and I get so frustrated. I wish I could hire a kid. My spouse is utterly useless in technolgy so having him means nothing when it comes to this stuff.He can build me a room and the desk for the computer but don't ask him to do things on this computer.

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    1. Peg,
      I agree it is frustrating though to jump into the web maze but glad you make the effort.
      Ah but Rick can cook so that counts for a lot.:)

      Delete
  20. Thankfully my husband is very good with computers. I try to fix things myself, especially if I suspect I caused the issue but I frequently have to fold in the towel and ask for help.

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    1. Anon,
      Ah lucky you to have an inhouse geek. Think I'd be quick to call him regardless of suspected fault.

      Delete
  21. You sound a whole lot more techy than me when it comes to the computer, Patti. I have a young friend who is a graphic designer and has her own business. She is my "go to" gal and has been a lifesaver.

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  22. Ginnie,
    I am so glad you have a handy friend who can help you. Bake her cookies--keep her happy:)

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  23. I do try to fix stuff on my own... which 75% of the time does not work. Then I have to ask my son-in-law. Poor guy has to remotely come onto my computer from Illinois and fix whatever I goofed up. he keeps warning me NOT TO OPEN LINKS. Sheesh!

    ReplyDelete

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