more stupid computer tricks

[ritaxis]

When my computer did its last self-wipe and I was unable to reinstall my Xp pro, I took it to my usually quite competent and attentive usual computer repair place.

They found no operating system and nothing else anywhere on the main drive. But they also found nothing wrong with the computer. So they said they could reinstall Windows for me. I said I would like that as I had tried several times without success. I also said "My backup disk is in the computer."

They installed some other copy of Windows -- Windows Home, no less. How did I find this out? trying to configure my Windows to my taste (adding other language support).

Oh, and when I went to the Microsoft webpage for support in this (i.e., to figure out how to reinstall my very own windows Xp pro with the least possible risk), I discovered that my product key is not valid. This is the product key that they sold to me as "genuine advantage" after a long period of harrassment, though my windows was already genuine (and expensive).

So I think I'm taking the computer back to the shop, but on another day. They can damned well do what they were supposed to do the first time.

I also think I'm getting rid of this computer as soon as I can get Frank's old computer configured and stuff. But today I'm writing, okay?

We've been trying to de-Collier Brothers our house, starting with the mess Frank left behind, and using the momentum to almost-simultaneously fix our own considerable mess.

Comments

[kip-w.livejournal.com]

Von Bernewitz, my piano teacher in Virginia in the 80s, was well on the way to Collierhood. There were vertical piles of books in the living room, and multiple piano viscerae all around. He had some sheet music I wished I could have gotten my hands on. I lost contact with him when I stopped taking lessons, and then one day he turned up at the rest home I played at. I was happy to see him, but he was rather out of it, and died a few days later.