What should I do?
So, I’m cheap. But, I’m having trouble with my computer again. It’s a Gateway with 256 MB (?) of RAM. It’s been plagued with problems, which is why its original owner, Original Curtis, got rid of it. It used to refuse to go on, and instead the fan would run madly. After being fixed a couple times, it stopped doing that. According to the technician, the culprit was a loose wire.
Now the problem is that the screen will freeze up, and I can’t do anything but turn off the computer manually. For a while, it would do that within a few seconds of going on, but now after doing MSCONFIG or something like that in safe mode, I can USUALLY get it to stay on for like 15 minutes, until it freezes up when the fan goes on. Then I can’t use it again for several hours, because each time I turn it on it freezes up almost immediately. To try to fix the problem, I’ve also taken off a lot of unessential programs and removed a few pictures. I have a TON of pictures in the documents folder — could that be a problem. They’re pretty large.
I’m not sure what to do. Shall I try to fix it, again (this will be my fourth time dealing with a technical problem in like a year)? Shall I mostly use the office computer that I’m on now, and keep my home computer for the 15 minutes a day or so that I need to deal with personal stuff I don’t want to put on the office computer? (That would be very cost-effective.) Or, should I buy a new computer? The problem with this is that I’m cheap. I did see a computer for 3,999 RMB at Carrefour. It’s a famous Chinese brand, a laptop, and small. One problem with O. Curtis’s is that it weighs like ten pounds. I DO like desktops, but it would be nice to have a computer I could take around. This computer also has only 256 MB of RAM. Is that a big liability? Should I make another choice? I, being cheap, would like something for under 4,000 RMB. A desktop would be okay too, although it wouldn’t have the advantage of portability. I did see an HP desktop for about that price.
Any advice, people out there?
November 15th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
Go with the laptop.
1.15 minutes every day to attend to personal stuff on your home computer are apparently not enough.
2. Having a laptop with you wherever you go is cool and convenient.
3. That famous-brand laptop you saw in Carrfour sounds like a bargain.
4. For god’s sake,if you want to do it,just do it.
November 15th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
The brand is Fortune, I think. The RAM is small, but could I just buy more and put it in myself?
November 16th, 2006 at 7:47 am
The fan issues and freezing sound like a problem I had with my old desktop. After multiple reformats, adding more memory, spending two shit-tons of money on consultations and trying to keep the program/storage load down on the thing I just decided to spring for a new computer. I never did get to pinpoint the issue and also wanted to revive the death-rattling computer since I’m notoriously frugal myself.
I ended up getting a new laptop and love every bit of it. Writing outside on a beautiful day? SIGN ME UP! All the time, hassle, frustration and MONEY I spent trying to salvage the other one seems like a massive waste now. Having a smoothly-running computer that doesn’t shut down or limit my personal/business stuff is worth the expense!
I say go for it, make a list of what you need out of your new computer (and ask for advice based on that), purchase something under your max price and consider it an investment in yourself and your sanity.
Take care!