Adventures in TechLemonLand

I still have no pictures. I continue to limp along with the help of a seven-year-old computer that wobbles frequently but has not (knock on wood) completely lost its mind. Unlike the new system.

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No news on the original problematical machine, the one that started all of this.

I've just restored the new, replacement computer to factory defaults for the second time and am about to power it down and put it back in its original packaging, with all original papers and other bits and pieces, and ship it back to its source.

One should not have to be messing with the Windows registry just to install software. Or not more than just a very little bit.

After six days of full-time effort, a new computer should have on it at least one packet of owner data, or one user document. This machine did have a small handful of my actual files over the weekend, when I thought I was making progress even if by devious means, but they were eradicated when I restored the factory defaults the first time. This has been far too reminiscent of the days of CP/M operating systems and the need to know about hex codes to install a printer.

Note: I have bought a number of pieces of equipment from PCConnection over the years and have always been happy with the service. That's true in this case, too. The folks there have been very helpful, even though they've been as baffled as I have been by the weird goings-on with this machine.

A couple of days ago one of the tech support people (Mike) e-mailed me some ideas about how to manage the corrupt registry, and he included this quote at the end:

• As Henry David Thoreau once said, "Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end."

It has helped preserve my sanity.

And last night, John at PCConnection sent me this wonderful message:

• "I think we, meaning mostly you, have tried just about every reasonable step to resolve this problem. I own a [computer name] that has given me very little trouble but that does not mean they can't have problems. . . . If you have a complete unit down to the packaging we can work on exchanging this system."

I have a complete unit. I even have the tiny screw that was rattling around inside the tower when the shipment arrived, and the plastic bag the box was wrapped in.

And now I have an RMA number!

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Other progress, in the cracks between computer-wrangling sessions:

1. Once I realized that appropriate computer channels would not be available to set up a freight shipment, I figured out how to do it through other means. Some time today Yellow Transportation will show up. I hope my daughter is here (i.e., has finished her shift at the bookstore) and will be able to help me move, stack, and shrinkwrap the 1800 pounds of books I've got organized and labeled in the garage. (We will both be glad to be able to open the freezer door again without raising the garage door and moving our two bikes out onto the driveway.)

2. I have almost finished the cotton chenille sweater for my acupuncturist! Can't wait to take photos of that. It looks pretty good.

3. I am making forward progress again on the shawl that is an invention on Evelyn Clark's Landscape Shawl concept (I'm making a shawl, but putting on the shaped ends of the scarf, and customizing the size and configuration to the amount of yarn I have . . . which I slightly miscalculated, thus the pleasure at making forward progress after some backward regression).
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Okay, I have a computer to put back into a box, and a bunch of other stuff that's running behind to catch up on because of that computer.

Comments

[Joanne]

Sometimes sending something away is the very best thing you can do for it! (and you) How frustrating all this is. I wish you good luck with your further computer adventures, and I hope you're focusing on all the good things that can happen outside of computer function, because this saga might drive anyone to drink. I hope there are lots of positive distractions, like tea, or knitting, and dog walks? :)

[Seth Brady]

Deb,

Thanks so much for your kind words about PC Connection in your recent post. As someone who works on the PCConnection.com web team, it’s really rewarding to read a longtime customer’s blog discussing their positive experiences working with us.

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had some problems with your new computer, but I’m really glad to read that our Customer Service team has been so responsive and open to finding ways to resolve the issues you’ve been having.

Personally, I agree that Thoreau’s quote about inventions and distractions is a great one. Here’s hoping that your product exchange will also go a long way to helping you keep your sanity as well!

Thanks again very much for your continued business over the years and for letting us know about your experience.

All the very best,

Seth Brady
PCConnection.com

[Deborah Robson]

PCConnection has been great. AGAIN. And I've got a different computer set up as an exchange. I'm especially glad about two things: (1) that I said "enough is enough" and (2) that I was working with PCConnection and they agreed.

Have managed so far not to be driven to drink or jump off the roof (although I've briefly considered both . . . indicators that it's time to do Something Completely Different, like knit).

My daughter *was* home from work when the Yellow Transportation truck pulled up, so we got the 52 boxes of books piled on a pallet (in the truck . . . no loading dock here), wrapped, and sent off. We can open the freezer door easily again!