Now I feel like complaining about computer issues.

Post Reply New Topic

Yeah it was disappointing my computer stopped working, so whatever....but never thought getting a new one could be so much hassle. First I thought of getting one at best buy for the financing deal they offered, but couldn't get approved for the card I waited a week for. I was under the impression I was for sure going to get that so waited for a week planning to go back and buy it but because of that I couldn't. Then after browsing endless laptops on ebay I found one that was way better than that other one so ordered that and figured problem was solved. Well no, this one has a malfunctioning or broken network adapter(or thing that allows laptops to acess wi fi). So tried to handle it with technical support but nothing they suggested worked. So now I've had to spend 20 dollars to send it back...they gave me a free shipping label but the laptop box was that much I don't want to risk it getting damaged so figured that was the best route still expensive though.

I don't even want to get my hopes up that I'll get it back with everything functioning...of course I don't want to dismiss that notion either. So I figure the best thing is not to think about it at all and see what happens. But yes I am very unhappy about it.

Or you've been using it wrong and the hotline guys don't know anything either.

If it's any consolation, that happened to my old laptop...and a little over a quarter of the laptops that have come in through our IT dept. at work since 2002. Interestingly, once everything was finally sorted out those units ended up being the ones that lasted the longest.

I know I am not using it wrong, all I did was turn it on and follow the setup directions...and the wi-fi adapter simply does not work. When you go into network settings where it usually shows the wi-fi section and connections above 'airplane mode' its just missing and if you specifically look at the network adapter driver there is an error symbol next to it.

I mean I am no expert but I have been using computers long enough to know how to use them properly and help people when they are confused on theirs.

Hmm well that is good to hear, but yeah it was just so frustrating with how much hassle I've gone through just to buy a laptop and then its not even fully functional. But I'll probably be laughing about all this when they return it, though they said it will take 7-10 days to work on it.

But yeah it has a nice graphics card and good processor as far as I can tell so it will be awesome for League of Legends the only online game I really play, so I suppose in the end it is worth the wait. My last laptop could play it ok, but I had to turn the graphics way down as turns out intel pentium processor and integrated graphics isn't the best for that kind of thing.

I have to admit I have learned quite a bit more about laptop software and hardware during this whole ordeal, than I knew before. Maybe some kind of computer/tech job eventually wouldn't be out of the question after all. Currently on Disability but seems I'm somewhat making progress towards some rather significant improvement so eventually I should be working.

Sweetleaf, I'm sorry to hear it's been so frustrating for you. But, the fact that you have learned so much could be indicative of a latent talent. That was sorta how I got started, too. I had a teacher that said I could have two old computers the school was getting rid of, but I'd have to get them running myself. This was back when having a computer at home was still pretty rare & my folks weren't big on the idea of having one of those new-fangled devices that only nerds knew about. I took over a bit of space in the basement and many months later...had a running system. That was over thirty years ago; now my career is in IT and I'm surrounded by six other AS/ASD/ASD-lite people in my department (& one NT person). Many techs who have more specialized knowledge than me spend much of their day alone or with one or two others who specialize in whatever their area of expertise is. It was a path I almost took & would have taken if opportunities had been different. Others work from home, only occasionally having to go into an office. And yet others work as independent contractors through agencies and do everything via email. I just followed the challenges that got in my way and ended up here. There are so many areas you could go into depending on what fit you best...

Please forgive the lateness of my reply. I am sorry to hear about your computer problems.

I have always used desktops. Can you borrow a desktop computer from someone? Even older computers with older versions of Windows (or Linux) are reasonably easy to use these days. You don't need Adobe Flash, or a fast computer that can play your favorite games. You can surf the Web, check e-mail, type a letter to a friend, and keep track of your life's expenses with a spreadsheet. As I mentioned, the interface (using the mouse, keyboard, touchpad) is all pretty similar nowadays, and easy to figure out. Don't click on things like e-mail attachments unless you trust the sender, and your security will be okay (not the best it could be, but probably good enough for a few weeks).

An older computer that you can borrow for a few weeks can really help you stay in touch.

Best wishes!

I've just been using my moms laptop when I'm at home, it is rather old but does work fine for getting online and checking email and such. I certainly do not have a desktop, or know of anyone with one...though eventually I may want to get one of those in addition to my laptop. But yeah it should be returned sometime this week I'd think so this laptop will work fine till than.

This isn't tragic enough to be in the haven.

There is a section for computers.

I believe in her suffering, it would feel like the end of my life if my computer were broken.

Printers bring way more suffering than computers.

I feel like smashing the Epson piece of garbage in my living room that refuses to recognize printer cartridges, literally made to fail and screw you out like $40 on that stupid ink which is worth 1000x the amount of oil apparently.

Somewhat older thread so dunno if OP is still checking I would definitely go with a used computer rather than one financed thru a store, it's kind of like buying a car so it is best to just avoid if you can because there is no point financing a lower end laptop when you can buy a high end one for cheaper online, most of what you buy from the store is just bloatware garbage. I bought a nice i7 SSD Win 7 HP laptop for a $150 not to long ago off eBay and it as has worked perfectly since, better than the crap my parents bought from Walmart for 3x more.

There might of been a way to fix your NIC or maybe it's broken or maybe its not there, a lot of times laptops also have a wifi switch that can easily accidentally get flipped and would be pretty upsetting if you weren't even aware the button was there and I've seen to quite a few people including myself fall for this. Also the older your laptop is the more likely it don't even have wireless and need an adapter which would probably be easier to deal with than trying to install a new one. I'm not sure what troubleshooting steps you took before you sent it in, it really shouldn't be that big of challenge for professionals so hopefully that clears up the problem. Installing a new NIC would be kind of a pain so it would be better to go with an adapter if need be.

Not sure how you meant it personally, but along those lines many of us imbue inanimate objects with a persona & irrational as it may be, feel sad when they get "hurt". In those cases, the emotions are the same as if a dog or cat had fallen seriously ill and was at the vet for a week.

Apart from that, I find it mildly distressing when I have to do my normal tasks at an unusual computer, especially one with input devices my lower brain hasn't learned yet. I'm a trackball person; using a touchpad or mouse is clumsy feeling enough that I get distracted and frustrated and much of the experience is lost. Same with mushy laptop keyboards, etc.. It's outside my normal pattern of movements and so I have to dedicate much more mental energy into the very mechanics of using the device rather than focusing on the task at hand.

Last edited by Edenthiel on 11 Nov 2015, 4:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

FYI - USB input devices should work at least somewhat universally in the Opera browser on your Playstation.

Thank you Edenthiel, my fellow nerdy woman! But I don't feel the way you'd described.
I make money from my computer, if my computer were broken that means there would be a potential rule break between me and my clients which I value most. If there's some damage on hardware beyond repair, it means a disaster has occurred that needs to be recovered immediately which sounds very unlikely..you know this frustration.

I thought that section was to discuss computer specifics not b*tch about hassles and troubles with getting a computer.