Replacing Computers Sucks

purplefdu · 03-25-2008, 06:48 AM

So if any of you noticed I wasn't around much for awhile (I like to flatter myself, lol) it would be because my laptop hard drive randomly died a couple weeks ago. I was working and suddenly it started making a clanking sound like an old car about to die. Then it froze, so I rebooted and it told me no OS found. Bleck.

So since I am now downgraded from my rather old laptop (8yrs) to the even older desktop (14yrs) I just don't have as much time to get everything done and I lost all my bookmarks in the browser. Spent the past few weeks trying to remember them all. And I took a couple days to completely depress myself over the cost of even a replica of what I was using. Granted I paid $1200 for her in 2000, but she still goes for $200+ and at least $20-40 in shipping on Ebay. Don't have a lick of money to replace her until I get a new job and then I'll have to put off fixing my car. I've been working in an "wanted" ad for Craigslist to try and find a newer desktop for cheap but its hard to not just sound cheap and greedy instead of in need. What happened? Last year I would have been lucky to get $100 for my laptop (I tried) and now its worth double?

khorrell · 03-25-2008, 08:05 AM

Purple - How frustrating! These things always happen at the worst times. I'm sending good computer vibes your way!

rachael24 · 03-25-2008, 09:50 AM

Me too...I just bout a new one after like 5 years. Good luck!

USCGamecocks · 03-25-2008, 02:41 PM

Wondering where you were. Sorry to hear your misfortune. I know the feeling to downgrade and be on a slower computer.

Milehimama · 03-26-2008, 08:44 AM

We just had to do a lot of work on our computer too. Newegg.com is a lifesaver - you can buy just the parts you need, cheap!

Laptops will be going on sale in May (just in time for Graduation presents) if you can hold out that long. And as people upgrade they may be getting rid of their old ones.

wwstewart · 03-29-2008, 08:12 PM

I've got a computer in the trunk of my car that just needs some RAM. I got it free.

The trick is to haul off people's 'old junk computers' that are 'taking up space'. You'd be surprised...I've come across quite a few GOOD systems that way. And people WANT you to take them. In fact, the PC I'm using now is a bit old, but works just wonderfully for what I do...and it was free.

Craigslist, Freecycle, even some small radio stations have 'trading post' type call-in shows where you can buy/sell/barter/or ask for stuff.

My laptop was free too, just did about 10 minutes worth of HTML that never got used...

VaranusK · 03-30-2008, 03:18 PM

Depends on what you need the computer for. I have been using a win98 desktop computer until quite recently, as I only needed it for storing my photos and internet browsing. And it was enough, apart from some fancy sites, I could do almost everything with it. Sometimes slowly but... it was cheap.

cashprior · 04-01-2008, 10:31 AM

If possible, build your own, carefully choose your components and brands... and of course use XP.

bunnyb · 04-03-2008, 03:14 AM

Replacing a computer does suck! I remember when my laptop died and couldn't even be switched on. Thankfully, it was still under warranty. But if it wasn't,

Gootsy · 04-03-2008, 08:24 AM

Ack this thread is making me nervous. I've got a laptop that's 6.5 years old and broke down twice while on warranty. Now no more warranty, and every time I move it somewhere I'm worried something's going to go horribly wrong and it'll crap out on me again.

For the last 3 months I've thought about buying an external HD to store stuff (laptop has 40 gigs of HD space), and make a back-up, but haven't done the research for the best one with the best price (yesterday I did a little bit).

Good luck with the puter hunting. I like the idea of waiting till May for when everything goes on special and 'old' ones get replaced.

03-25-2008, 06:48 AM	#1
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Berwick, ME Posts: 645 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Reputation: (32)	Replacing Computers Sucks So if any of you noticed I wasn't around much for awhile (I like to flatter myself, lol) it would be because my laptop hard drive randomly died a couple weeks ago. I was working and suddenly it started making a clanking sound like an old car about to die. Then it froze, so I rebooted and it told me no OS found. Bleck. So since I am now downgraded from my rather old laptop (8yrs) to the even older desktop (14yrs) I just don't have as much time to get everything done and I lost all my bookmarks in the browser. Spent the past few weeks trying to remember them all. And I took a couple days to completely depress myself over the cost of even a replica of what I was using. Granted I paid $1200 for her in 2000, but she still goes for $200+ and at least $20-40 in shipping on Ebay. Don't have a lick of money to replace her until I get a new job and then I'll have to put off fixing my car. I've been working in an "wanted" ad for Craigslist to try and find a newer desktop for cheap but its hard to not just sound cheap and greedy instead of in need. What happened? Last year I would have been lucky to get $100 for my laptop (I tried) and now its worth double? __________________ MainelyCoupons \| HomeWard Bound Puppy

03-25-2008, 09:50 AM	#3
rachael24 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Me too...I just bout a new one after like 5 years. Good luck! __________________ Recent Finance graduate with a concentration in debt counseling.

03-25-2008, 02:41 PM	#4
USCGamecocks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 139 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (20)	Wondering where you were. Sorry to hear your misfortune. I know the feeling to downgrade and be on a slower computer. __________________ Timemakeover.com - Time Management Articles & Resources

03-26-2008, 08:44 AM	#5
Milehimama Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 115 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (13)	We just had to do a lot of work on our computer too. Newegg.com is a lifesaver - you can buy just the parts you need, cheap! Laptops will be going on sale in May (just in time for Graduation presents) if you can hold out that long. And as people upgrade they may be getting rid of their old ones. __________________ www.milehimama.blogspot.com

03-29-2008, 08:12 PM	#6
wwstewart Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 72 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (11)	I've got a computer in the trunk of my car that just needs some RAM. I got it free. The trick is to haul off people's 'old junk computers' that are 'taking up space'. You'd be surprised...I've come across quite a few GOOD systems that way. And people WANT you to take them. In fact, the PC I'm using now is a bit old, but works just wonderfully for what I do...and it was free. Craigslist, Freecycle, even some small radio stations have 'trading post' type call-in shows where you can buy/sell/barter/or ask for stuff. My laptop was free too, just did about 10 minutes worth of HTML that never got used... __________________ [ ! ] The Sugarbuzz Project is not remotely funny.

03-25-2008, 08:05 AM	#2
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 610 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (86)	Purple - How frustrating! These things always happen at the worst times. I'm sending good computer vibes your way!

03-30-2008, 03:18 PM	#7
VaranusK Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Depends on what you need the computer for. I have been using a win98 desktop computer until quite recently, as I only needed it for storing my photos and internet browsing. And it was enough, apart from some fancy sites, I could do almost everything with it. Sometimes slowly but... it was cheap.

04-01-2008, 10:31 AM	#8
cashprior Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	If possible, build your own, carefully choose your components and brands... and of course use XP. __________________ David Castro Your Small Business Loan and Unsecured Loans expert.

04-03-2008, 03:14 AM	#9
bunnyb Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Replacing a computer does suck! I remember when my laptop died and couldn't even be switched on. Thankfully, it was still under warranty. But if it wasn't,

04-03-2008, 08:24 AM	#10
Gootsy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 292 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (25)	Ack this thread is making me nervous. I've got a laptop that's 6.5 years old and broke down twice while on warranty. Now no more warranty, and every time I move it somewhere I'm worried something's going to go horribly wrong and it'll crap out on me again. For the last 3 months I've thought about buying an external HD to store stuff (laptop has 40 gigs of HD space), and make a back-up, but haven't done the research for the best one with the best price (yesterday I did a little bit). Good luck with the puter hunting. I like the idea of waiting till May for when everything goes on special and 'old' ones get replaced.

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