The Teck Gods Are Testing Me

I am sure glad that I shave my head...because it would be very painful for me to keep pulling all of my hair out every time I have to deal with yet another tech problem: especially when that problem has been going on as long as this one has. So here is the latest.

I hooked up my computer that had the back up placed on it (from my laptop's hard drive) last night. It took me longer than normal, because I also had to install my UPS to the system, and install the related software to keep my system safe in the case of a power outage. I finished that last night, and decided that I would take a fresh start with entering all of the data back into the LGST system.

So at the appointed time (when I finally got to it this morning): I logged into the site, and noticed that the member's page should be attended to first. I had been keeping updates on my laptop every time I made a change to the member's page (as well as the front page too). So, no problem: I'll just go to the data that I had saved (now on my desk top); and just "re-install" it. So I navigate to the appropriate folder...open up the folder...and NOTHING. Not one file was there. I checked other folders...an again...NOTHING. The more folders I opened...the more nothingness I found.

So here I go again...I called the Best Buy that I had went to, and connected with the Geek Squad. I spoke with Bob, and explained the situation...and a bit of my frustration. He recommended that I bring in both computers (again); and he would handle this personally. But because I don't have access to a car (today); this would be very difficult for me to do. It would mean that I would have to carry my laptop, desktop tower, plus my nephew (I babysit him) and all of his stuff (stroller, diaper bag, etc) with me to catch a bus. And I would have to walk about a mile to even catch the bus in the first place.

So I found out his schedule for the next couple days, and I am going to try to get up there...one way or another. I called and left a message for my daughter, to see if she could take me up there (doubtful)...but have not heard from her yet. When my brother-in-law drops off my nephew: I am going to ask him if he could take me up there. If I can at least get it up there, I should be able to get it back when my wife gets back from work. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Although all of the folders were without my files...I still was able to find the spreadsheet...which was in a different location. So at least I can start doing that much...I hope.

Finally Got Desktop Back

It seems that I must have upset the "Tech Gods": as it really has not been going well for us in matters of technology. In my last post, I wrote how I needed to take my desktop computer up to the Geek Squad so that they could transfer by backup directly from their computer, to my computer. So on this past Saturday (6/21), I did just that.

When I got there, I was told that now take two hours for them to complete this task; instead of the 30 minutes that I was originally quoted. But hey...I had a little bit of time: so I told them that I would just walk around, and wait there. I just didn't feel like driving back home...just to return in two hours: wasting time and money (gas).

After about an hour of waisting time (and chatting with a guy in the computer dept); one of the "Geeks" (whom I don't sense really cared for me) came up to me and said that they now were not going to be able to get this finished by the time promised. Although I was erked by this latest bad news: I told him that I would just come back tomorrow morning when they opened up (at 10am).

When I returned the next morning at 10:30am: I was now told that they had some problems with the disks that they had originally gave me (duh!!), and now require my laptop again to get the data. WTF!! I had my laptop with me the day before (Saturday); and now I needed to go all the way back home to get it. When I did finally return with it two hours later (I had other errands I had to run also); I was told that it was going to take about 20-30 minutes: but it didn't.

This time, with my wife there: she complained to a manager; and he also asked me what had happened up to that point. Within about 15-20 minutes of our complaint: I was told that it should be ready a little later in the afternoon. It was now 1pm; and we had to get my granddaughter to her ballet recital. I said that I would come back before they closed to get my computers.

So I just did exactly that. During the intermission (after my granddaughter's dance), I lefte and scurried back up there again, and I finally was able to get my computer back. However, the manager nor anyone else really appologized to my satisfaction; nor was I recouped for my loss of time or the aggravation in dealing with their apparent ineptness.

Perhaps this was just a comedy of errors; perhaps not: but I don't think that I will be giving my business to the Geek Squad again; or at very least...not for a long time. Now that I have the computer, I have to set it up again on the network; and I am going to also add a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) to protect the system in the case of power surges or power losses. This is all a part of our attempt to protect our sites, by protecting our computers.

So hopefully tonight I will get this all done, and start back to getting the data entered onto the site. I guess I will need to make a sacrifice to the Tech Gods to appease them...perhapse they will accept my old TRS-80....LOL