On Sunday, after months of struggling with a crappy Internet connection, my laptop finally gave up on itself. The hard drive died, along with all my data. It all started on Sunday morning.
After my connection failed, I rebooted the laptop to restore it as usual but to my surprise it took a really long time to shut down. When I restarted it, there was a blank black screen with the words UNABLE TO LOAD WINDOWS. I knew at that moment that it was all over. I searched my shelves for my Windows installation CD and popped it into the drive hoping this would solve the problem. Of course, it didn’t, in fact the screen did not even change. With an assignment due on Tuesday, I knew how important it was to get access to a computer, preferably my computer, so I headed for the library hoping to get the technician there to fix my laptop, or at least use the computers there. Unfortunately, it was snowing really badly and by the time I got to the library, they were closing it. It was only 1.30 and they were closing the library because of the snow. I rushed to the main campus hoping to find a computer lab that was open. None were. Finally, I decided to head for the other campus in Surrey where I could use the computer lab and/or find someone to fix mine. At the bus stop I waited for half an hour for the bus before someone came up to us at the bus stop telling us all buses have stopped coming because of the snow. So here I was trapped on the mountain with a broken computer.
As a last resort, I decided to ask a friend who was in the Computer Science Programme to have a look at my laptop. However, I did not have much hope. Just because someone is in Computer Science does not automatically mean he/she could fix computers. It’s like assuming all paramedics could perform surgery. Anyway, my friend looked at my computer, pressed a few buttons and concluded that the hard drive was definitely in bad shape. All I could do now was wait till Monday and get it checked at the computer store.
At 4 pm, the snow started to clear up. I decided to try for a bus once more. The only bus that actually came up to campus was the bus to Metrotown, a mall about 45 minutes away. I decided to take it because the mall has a computer store that might repair my laptop. Unfortunately for me, the bus moved extra slowly because of the snow. By the time I arrived at Metrotown, it was already dark. As the bus neared the station, I glanced at an electronic board outside the mall. SUNDAYS 11 AM – 6 PM. I looked at my watch- 5.30. Wonderful. I only have half an hour till the shops closed. I rushed into the nearest computer store but they told me they were closing already. So my trip here was wasted.
On Monday, I checked with the computer store on campus and they gave the final verdict- the hard drive was beyond repair. The only thing I could do, besides buy a new one was to contact Acer and get them to send me a replacement part. Seems like all my stuff is gone forever. Luckily there wasn’t anything really important on it but still…
Now there’s just the long wait till the replacements arrive, if they arrive. I have never really appreciated the library so much as I do now.
3 comments:
Talk about "a series of unfortunate events" for you. Well buddy, I know its tough for you and I am not going to pretend that I know how you feel. Conversely, hang in tight as I am sure your problems are reaching the end. After all,even after the darkest night, morning always come.
Urgh James, that must've been a really bad day for you. How's everything now? Did you manage to finish your assignment?
Happy Chinese New Year btw =)
dude, i feel really sorry for you and your laptop story. my laptop has been serving me very well except for one time where i couldnt on it. icalled hp and they told me to take out the battery and hook it to the power circuit and on it from there. it turned on and has been working fine ever since. in fact ive been playing cnc 3 tiberium wars online with nicky and his frined. i was kinda hoping to ask u to get cnc3 to join us. but i think u have other priorites at the moment.
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