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Computer troubles
I seem to have some sort of negative computer aura floating around me. I was using Christal's computer when it went crazy. Now, my own laptop's having problems. The monitor keeps going blank, or specifically, it stops being backlit. So in a well-lit room I can mostly see the screen. Unfortunatley, I've done just about everything I can think of to figure out what the problem is and still don't have a clue. I'm writing out my thoughts here to try and get them in something resembling order, so feel free to skip over this post.
The monitor flickers before going dark. If I put the monitor to sleep, it'll be lit again when I wake it up. The backlight is on for longer when I let the monitor go to sleep for a while than when I close and reopen it immediately. The problem first started last night. I don't think it's a virus for several reasons. One, I use a Macintosh, which is extremely less vulnerable to viruses than Windows. Two, I use Firefox, which has better security than Internet Explorer, and have for several months. Three, I have Firefox set so that, if it downloads anything, it stays in the download window until I delete it, and I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary in that window. Fourth, I don't visit questionable sites. (I will admit that there's no way of being totally sure, but I primarily visit Yahoo, LiveJournal, DeadJournal, and various fansites. I've never had a problem before now.) On the other hand, I ran the hardware diagnostic cd, which is supposed to check if there's something wrong with my hardware, but it didn't find anything. On the other other hand, it looked like the cd just checked various cards and not necessarily the connections to the monitor/keyboard/etc. I also checked the apple website but didn't see anything that looked like the same problem as mine.
So I don't know. It doesn't sound like a virus, but it doesn't sound like a loose connection either. (If it were a loose connection, the screen should come back to life when I jiggle it. But it doesn't; it only does if I put it to sleep.) My dad suggested that, potentially, the screen was heating up during use and then shutting itself off to cool down. In my mind, that fits well, although neither of us are ruling out the possibility of a virus. Now, my dad's going to open the computer to see if he can spot a faulty conenction. But even if he doesn't find one, it could still be a heating problem or the loose connection could be in the hinges of the computer. Personally, I think this'll just end with us going, "Well, it looks like it's probably not this." After that's done, I'm going to have to call the Apple HelpDesk. (Or possibly, if we have a second monitor, hook that one up and see if it works. If so, then that points to a hardware problem rather than virus.) Sadly, my warranty has expired, and I'll have to pay for whatever the fix is. I've spent all morning either trying to diagnose what the problem is or transferring my various files to my external hard drive. Because at this point, I'm expecting to have to take my computer in, and I don't trust the help people not to wipe my hard drive for some reason.
::sigh:: My computer is my baby, and it's done right by me so far.
[ETA 6:35pm]: We've opened the keyboard and found what we think is a fan. But, we don't know if it's working or not. It wasn't running when we looked, but the computer wasn't doing anything either so there wasn't a need for a fan. I called Apple, and the guy I talked to was very helpful. He said I'd have to take it in to be fixed. Apple charges a flat service fee of $400 for repairs, so if it's a cheap part, it's a ripoff. However, it looks like a new monitor could be as much as $1000 for my particular model, so it might not be cheaper to bring it to a different company. I'm going to have to leave my computer with my parents and have them take it in; I can't because I have to be at school when the other repair place is open. My dad may or may not try hooking another monitor up before he takes it in. All in all, I spent four hours today trying to fix my computer.
The monitor flickers before going dark. If I put the monitor to sleep, it'll be lit again when I wake it up. The backlight is on for longer when I let the monitor go to sleep for a while than when I close and reopen it immediately. The problem first started last night. I don't think it's a virus for several reasons. One, I use a Macintosh, which is extremely less vulnerable to viruses than Windows. Two, I use Firefox, which has better security than Internet Explorer, and have for several months. Three, I have Firefox set so that, if it downloads anything, it stays in the download window until I delete it, and I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary in that window. Fourth, I don't visit questionable sites. (I will admit that there's no way of being totally sure, but I primarily visit Yahoo, LiveJournal, DeadJournal, and various fansites. I've never had a problem before now.) On the other hand, I ran the hardware diagnostic cd, which is supposed to check if there's something wrong with my hardware, but it didn't find anything. On the other other hand, it looked like the cd just checked various cards and not necessarily the connections to the monitor/keyboard/etc. I also checked the apple website but didn't see anything that looked like the same problem as mine.
So I don't know. It doesn't sound like a virus, but it doesn't sound like a loose connection either. (If it were a loose connection, the screen should come back to life when I jiggle it. But it doesn't; it only does if I put it to sleep.) My dad suggested that, potentially, the screen was heating up during use and then shutting itself off to cool down. In my mind, that fits well, although neither of us are ruling out the possibility of a virus. Now, my dad's going to open the computer to see if he can spot a faulty conenction. But even if he doesn't find one, it could still be a heating problem or the loose connection could be in the hinges of the computer. Personally, I think this'll just end with us going, "Well, it looks like it's probably not this." After that's done, I'm going to have to call the Apple HelpDesk. (Or possibly, if we have a second monitor, hook that one up and see if it works. If so, then that points to a hardware problem rather than virus.) Sadly, my warranty has expired, and I'll have to pay for whatever the fix is. I've spent all morning either trying to diagnose what the problem is or transferring my various files to my external hard drive. Because at this point, I'm expecting to have to take my computer in, and I don't trust the help people not to wipe my hard drive for some reason.
::sigh:: My computer is my baby, and it's done right by me so far.
[ETA 6:35pm]: We've opened the keyboard and found what we think is a fan. But, we don't know if it's working or not. It wasn't running when we looked, but the computer wasn't doing anything either so there wasn't a need for a fan. I called Apple, and the guy I talked to was very helpful. He said I'd have to take it in to be fixed. Apple charges a flat service fee of $400 for repairs, so if it's a cheap part, it's a ripoff. However, it looks like a new monitor could be as much as $1000 for my particular model, so it might not be cheaper to bring it to a different company. I'm going to have to leave my computer with my parents and have them take it in; I can't because I have to be at school when the other repair place is open. My dad may or may not try hooking another monitor up before he takes it in. All in all, I spent four hours today trying to fix my computer.
no subject
And have you ever noticed this niche for manga to do something wierd to one character when confronting someone of the opposite sex, especially when attracted to each other? I noticed it in DNAngel at first and have seen it since. It's like what, it's evil for teens to fall for each other? But oooh it does sound interesting, i will hafta try and find them to read.
no subject
And hahaha on the manga. No, I hadn't noticed before, but I'll look for it now.