On Thursday my computer began to slow to a crawl. After spending the day trying to work that way I decided to use the Acer recovery and my Windows reboot disk. I copied my files onto a DVD then began the process of recovery. I’ve done this twice before so wasn’t expecting anything much to happen. It takes some time and then more time to reinstall software. This time I could not get Windows to work. It said I had a corrupt or missing kernel.

After trying a few things, even tried using my old Windows ME CD cause that is a full version, I had to get help. I emailed Acer, the maker of my computer. I thought they would tell me where to get fresh recovery files in case mine had become corrupted. But no. Acer told me they don’t provide support for my computer, it is too old. It doesn’t seem old to me. I still feel this is “the new” computer compared to the IBM I had running for about 10 years before buying this Acer system. I would still be using that IBM if the Windows ME hadn’t become obsolete.

So I was not impressed with Acer. I tried looking at prices for new and refurbished computers. I looked at prices for buying a full version of Windows 7. It was not encouraging for my meager bank account.

I had half heartedly tried Ubuntu a few years ago. I gave up on it when I didn’t remember my password to login and was not really wanting to go through the time it takes to learn a new system and find out what works and what does not. So, in my time of frustration with Windows, I went back to Ubuntu. I had an old CD for Ubuntu 5 which did not work. It gave me an error as well. But, I went to the website and burned the latest Ubuntu to a DVD, just to try everything. It worked!

It is still working right now. I am writing this as a non-Windows person. It feels weird. I have used Windows since I began using my first computer when I worked for my Dad. That would have been… a lot of years ago! So it feels odd to know the computer I am using is not using Windows. It feels a bit like floating in space, weightless, in an endless night sky.

I know there are going to be trials ahead. I know none of my Windows software from the games to the practical things I have come to rely on will not work on Ubuntu. I may figure out how to get some of them working, as I get into Ubuntu and how it works. It really does not feel much different from Windows. Things are in different places on my desktop, but I could change that to be just like Windows. I won’t though.

My main concern right now is will my little scanner still work, I haven’t plugged it in yet. Also, once the scanner works, I will not have my old reliable, simple graphics program to resize and trim and prettify my drawings. So, I will have to learn Gimp or something else that works with Ubuntu. I’m not looking forward to that. I like my comfort zone. It’s nice and cosy and I know it works. I can’t think of other software I won’t be able to use right now. I know it is out there, lurking, later I will have a burst of memory and then remorse.

For now… my computer is working! So there Acer and MS Windows!

Windows Vista is making things very difficult but I’m not giving up yet. I have CDs for an old version but the latest, 7.04 seems to do a better job of working alongside Windows. Not that I really am fond of Windows, especially Vista, but some things will not run on a Linux (Ubuntu) operating system. Some day they will all get it right, all work together so that your computer doesn’t seem to be at war with itself. At least it would be nice. I’m not holding my breath. Though, from a money making view, who wouldn’t be interested and likely buy into an OS that could work with everything.

I am thinking of tossing Windows Vista for my old Windows ME. For one thing it did not nag at me constantly. Vista is like having a dog humping your leg, no matter how many times you swat at it the damned thing just keeps coming back. I don’t know why they did this. How does this seem useful to the PC user? It’s just hugely annoying. Took me years to stop getting annoyed each time old Windows asked me if I really wanted to delete that file. Now the new one is paranoid and asks me if I even want to open that file. Too much!

Question of the week… Why is Windows Vista a LOT slower than Windows ME was when ME was running on a much older PC and Vista is on a brand new PC just out of the store one week? It’s a mystery. It’s the main reason I am thinking ME could be making a comeback for me.

I’m going to buy a new computer. Ding dang the bells are going to shine…! Consider that musically inclined and it will make more (some) sense.

I just received part of my income tax return and I am going to spend it on a new PC. My current PC is an IBM NetVista, about fix (five or six, at this point it doesn’t matter it’s just OLD) years old. I have my beady little eye on the HP Pavilion I’ve been drooling over at a few computer shops. But, I am limited to spending about $700 including taxes and that’s Canadian bucks. I actually think I can do it. I’ve been looking at the flyers and there is hope.

But, it has been awhile since I’ve been computer shopping. I used to think the most essential thing was to get double whatever they offered in RAM. Now I think I also want to get the dual core processor puppy. It sounds good. Does anyone have advice?

I know I want to go with a PC, Macs are more expensive (must be that ad campaign costing them a bundle and I’m not helping them pay for their PC bashing). I would like to partition the hard drive and add Ubuntu as my main OS and yet keep Windows for other programs I have gotten used to having around. So whatever PC I buy will have to be adaptable to my mad science experiments. Also, a yearly reformatting of the hard drive, much like the geese flying south, it’s just something I have to do.

Three issues for computer users are cleaning, using and dumping them when they die.

Cleaning your computer is more than just dusting it off, weeding out garbage files and backing up your data. It’s detangling all those wires, cables and plugs and getting rid of old discs too. Check an electronics store if you want to spend some money on a cable reel. Or, just pull your desk out from the wall an extra inch and organize them behind it. Bundle up long cords rather than leaving them hanging and crawling over the floor. If you have hardware like a printer, scanner or anything else bulky get a small, sturdy table to set it on nearby. Keep your desk top as clear as you can. That includes coffee cups, hairclips, vitamins, pens and all the other clutter that builds up quickly if you spend a lot of time sitting in front of that screen. Don’t forget to dust off the back of your tower too. If you have a lot of gunk in the air, like pet hair, consider cleaning inside the tower too.

For ergonomics, I always have my monitor raised higher than the desk surface. If the bottom of the screen is at my chin level I’m ok. Anything too high or low will make the back of my neck go numb and give me headaches. They say it’s good to sit with your feet raised but I haven’t done that. Sometimes my feet do get a bit swollen if I am putting in hours and not taking a long break between.

There are no really great recycling options when it’s time for your computer to die. Face it, few people are interested in a computer three or more years of age. Software stops working on them as new operating systems come out. Older computers can not function with the software coming out now. I know from personal experience trying to run a 5 year old PC running on Windows Me. You might try Linux. See how much that can add to your mileage but that brings up the problem of what to do with all your old software which can’t be adapted to run on a Linux OS.

Look online for some options about recycling your tech trash. Nothing will be totally great as you can’t compost plastic. But, there are some options, better than adding all that hardware to the landfills. Don’t burn your computer, please. It’s a bad idea.