Buying a New Computer

It was a very sad day when my old computer died. It was not unexpecte d- my oldest son, the computer technician/network specialist, had repaired, rebuilt and renovated it several times. Upon the last successful renovation, I came to the grim realization that further upgrades would probably cost more than a new computer.

So when it froze, rebooted in safe mode, then refused to boot past the drivers, I concluded its time had come.

The choice of time was HORRIBLE. I earn my living as a teacher, and it seems as if all the expenses in the universe arise just before the first fall paycheck. This particular August was no exception-air conditioning bills, vehicle licenses, and sundry other budget surprises had left the cupboard pretty well bare.

I had dusted off the old linux box that my son had put together for me out of two older computers, and at least had internet access and open office for writing and record keeping. But I am as big a gaming addict as any kid. My favorite, Final Fantasy XI, would not run on it. My virtual plants were dying, the graphics projects I needed to complete for work were at a standstill-something had to be done.

Late one afternoon, after the students and most of the staff were gone, I logged onto my at-work computer and began to browse the Dell website. Computers have certainly grown more complex and varied since I bought my deceased Pentium IV. As I browsed the shiny chrome and brightly colored displays, I noticed a box for credit application. Maybe? Perhaps?

I typed in my personal data, and browsed some more while waiting for a reply. Yes! My credit was good, and I could buy!

By now, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted (I thought). Having heard little to recommend Vista, and having a LOT of software for Windows XP, and XPS with XP loaded and an option for Vista (as if I really cared) seemed perfect. I wanted a good processor-processors are not a good thing for replacing later-and I knew that I could easily add memory and storage space later. I was facing an unpleasant chore in extracting files from my old hard-drive (No, I had not backed it up. That would be too easy.) An external hard-drive would keep this little problem from occurring again.

The price was adding up pretty fast, so I started looking hard at periferals. Keyboard-just a basic one, my old one was in pretty bad shape. Monitor? The selection gave a choice of picking a monitor or not getting one at all. I selected “I will pick from selection of 30″ monitors”. (I wear tri-focals, and big screens are better than little ones when it comes to seeing.)

I brought home the print-outs of what I had ordered, and had my room-mate look them over. “Did you order a monitor?” he asked.

“I thought I did,” I replied.

The following Monday, the My Book and controller arrived in the mail. My room-mate looked over the paperwork again. “I don’t think there’s a monitor on here,” he said. I looked at the Dell website after work, from my work computer. I was so tired the night I ordered it…did I order a monitor? I could hardly sleep for the next two nights. The monitor that had been on my old computer bit the dust the same night the computer wouldn’t boot.

At last, it arrived in the mail. It was all set up and waiting for me when I got home, but my roomie looked a little grim. “It likes my old monitor,” he said, “But there isn’t any sound.”

“No monitor?” I asked. (Had I really missed ordering one?) “No monitor,” he confirmed.

I dialed the toll-free number on my order print-out. “Hi,” I said. “I just got my new computer, and I have a couple of questions.”

A very nice (and very patient) tech support guy patiently went back through my order. He confirmed that although I had said I was going to select a monitor, I had failed to do so. He offered to help me order one, but I said “maybe later”, because I knew I had spent most of my credit. A new monitor was going to have to wait.

He then talked me through allowing him remote access. He directed as I unplugged and replugged all the speaker wires. When that still brought no sound, he uninstalled and reinstalled the sound drivers. Re-installing the driver worked. I had lovely sound through my new speakers. After a few polite inquiries to make sure I was able to use my computer properly, the tech support guy signed off, and left me to enjoy my new toy.

Oh, the XPS? I love it! I can run all my old programs-but it is so much faster and quieter! No more waiting while the aging hard-drive grinds and clunks. Its shiny chrome and black finish makes my study with its home-made wall-sorters and hodge-podge furnishings look unbelievably shabby. It is a shining gem in my magpie nest.