I Hate My PC
Written by Lauren Hunter // July 20, 2010 // Church Software // 18 Comments
This week, (and last week too), I really, really hate my PC. I know, I know . . . all you Mac users out there have made it perfectly clear that the world is a better place using a Mac and ditching Windows; however, in the attempts of being a good steward of my resources, I opted to replace my small hard drive in my Acer Notebook with a 320 GB hard drive, for a grand total of $95 instead of footing the bill for a new MacBook for $1K+.
So I’m blogging today from my husband’s notebook because, after installing the new hard drive and loading Windows (XP), Quicken, Adobe 7.0, and a host of other programs, I encountered a “Fatal Error” and my computer decided that it wanted to continually reboot for hours on end. I couldn’t even access my desktop.
This total meltdown occurred after four days of attempting to restore my hard drive data from my online backup via Carbonite. After four days, the restore was only at 39% and I was literally banging my head against the wall.
So, off to Fry’s Electronics again, this time to uncover the problem (software or hardware). It appears that there was a “Fatal Error” with the Windows XP install. So instead of trying to re-install it myself, I opted to have them transfer all my data from the old hard drive to the new one for $69.99. I’m still waiting for their call to find out if the transfer was a success.
Thanks for hearing about my saga . . . I really do love technology and the ways that it’s integrated into my life. It helps me better communicate with my friends and family, helps me stay connected to my church, helps me keep my finances in order . . . basically every area of my life is touched by technology.
Now if only I can get my desktop to load so that I can get back to work . . .
Did I mention that I’m taking vacation the month of July? So much for stress free time at home . . .
18 Comments on "I Hate My PC"
I will tell you that you want simplify, not a later move. Try using a lighter operating system such as some of the Linux variants, or even MeeGo. Unless you are doing something that needs Windows or Mac available-only software, use what keeps management of your computing devices simple, and less a chore.
You should manage your computers, not them manage you. That’s one of several reasons why I choose to use mobile devices as much as possible.
I will tell you that you want simplify, not a later move. Try using a lighter operating system such as some of the Linux variants, or even MeeGo. Unless you are doing something that needs Windows or Mac available-only software, use what keeps management of your computing devices simple, and less a chore.
You should manage your computers, not them manage you. That’s one of several reasons why I choose to use mobile devices as much as possible.
I will tell you that you want simplify, not a later move. Try using a lighter operating system such as some of the Linux variants, or even MeeGo. Unless you are doing something that needs Windows or Mac available-only software, use what keeps management of your computing devices simple, and less a chore.
You should manage your computers, not them manage you. That’s one of several reasons why I choose to use mobile devices as much as possible.
I second the recommendation for Linux.
I use Ubuntu Netbook Remix on my 4/5 year old MSI Megabook and it boots faster than Windows can recover from hibernate.
I’ll caveat that though with the recognition that this advice doesn’t help if you have to use software that only works with Windows. I dual boot and have long periods when I have to use Windows. I suppose that’s my own fault for making an app with the .NET Framework.
But if it’s just writing and web work, Ubuntu Netbook is fast and stable.
Trying to advise on your actual experience, did you run all the updates for Windows XP before installing the other software. That could help.
And I do understand your pain, working for a computer magazine people expect that I love computers. I often hate them, but I love what they can do for people (most of the time)
Tim
I second the recommendation for Linux.
I use Ubuntu Netbook Remix on my 4/5 year old MSI Megabook and it boots faster than Windows can recover from hibernate.
I’ll caveat that though with the recognition that this advice doesn’t help if you have to use software that only works with Windows. I dual boot and have long periods when I have to use Windows. I suppose that’s my own fault for making an app with the .NET Framework.
But if it’s just writing and web work, Ubuntu Netbook is fast and stable.
Trying to advise on your actual experience, did you run all the updates for Windows XP before installing the other software. That could help.
And I do understand your pain, working for a computer magazine people expect that I love computers. I often hate them, but I love what they can do for people (most of the time)
Tim
I second the recommendation for Linux.
I use Ubuntu Netbook Remix on my 4/5 year old MSI Megabook and it boots faster than Windows can recover from hibernate.
I’ll caveat that though with the recognition that this advice doesn’t help if you have to use software that only works with Windows. I dual boot and have long periods when I have to use Windows. I suppose that’s my own fault for making an app with the .NET Framework.
But if it’s just writing and web work, Ubuntu Netbook is fast and stable.
Trying to advise on your actual experience, did you run all the updates for Windows XP before installing the other software. That could help.
And I do understand your pain, working for a computer magazine people expect that I love computers. I often hate them, but I love what they can do for people (most of the time)
Tim
Sometimes being a good steward of resources involves our time as well as our finances . . . I will echo the Linux statements as I use that for a lot of web server applications and on my rough and tumble laptop, but for everyday projects my iMac has been fantastic. I remember video editing on my brand new system (Windows) and the comparison in software and capabilities is truly amazing. But thinking back on the times for reboots, error tracking, virus scans, re-imaging, etc…. are you really productive with Windows systems?
Just a thought.
Sometimes being a good steward of resources involves our time as well as our finances . . . I will echo the Linux statements as I use that for a lot of web server applications and on my rough and tumble laptop, but for everyday projects my iMac has been fantastic. I remember video editing on my brand new system (Windows) and the comparison in software and capabilities is truly amazing. But thinking back on the times for reboots, error tracking, virus scans, re-imaging, etc…. are you really productive with Windows systems?
Just a thought.
Sometimes being a good steward of resources involves our time as well as our finances . . . I will echo the Linux statements as I use that for a lot of web server applications and on my rough and tumble laptop, but for everyday projects my iMac has been fantastic. I remember video editing on my brand new system (Windows) and the comparison in software and capabilities is truly amazing. But thinking back on the times for reboots, error tracking, virus scans, re-imaging, etc…. are you really productive with Windows systems?
Just a thought.
only 6-8 more trips to the electronics store and you’ll have spent the cost of the mac
, so probably by the end of Aug.
only 6-8 more trips to the electronics store and you’ll have spent the cost of the mac
, so probably by the end of Aug.
only 6-8 more trips to the electronics store and you’ll have spent the cost of the mac
, so probably by the end of Aug.
I used to be a PC guy, but too many “fatal errors” caused me to wonder how I was stewarding my time. Replacing my computer every 3 years caused me to wonder how I was stewarding my resources.
Now, 10 years and (only) two Mac laptops later, I’m convinced that for me this is the better stewardship decision.
Paul
I used to be a PC guy, but too many “fatal errors” caused me to wonder how I was stewarding my time. Replacing my computer every 3 years caused me to wonder how I was stewarding my resources.
Now, 10 years and (only) two Mac laptops later, I’m convinced that for me this is the better stewardship decision.
Paul
I used to be a PC guy, but too many “fatal errors” caused me to wonder how I was stewarding my time. Replacing my computer every 3 years caused me to wonder how I was stewarding my resources.
Now, 10 years and (only) two Mac laptops later, I’m convinced that for me this is the better stewardship decision.
Paul
Thanks for all the good comments. My concern with going Mac is that I will have to purchase additional software programs in addition to the hardware. I don’t want to spend the $1500 on this now, when I just bough a new laptop a two and a half years ago.
I am interested in more info about Linux and Ubuntu. I’m downloading Ubuntu now and want to test it out. OpenOffice.org seems to be what those users utilize for word processing and spreadsheets, etc. I’d love to hear if you’ve used this and how it compares to MS Office.
I typically use Word, Excel and Outlook the most, and use Publisher for family projects (card making, flyers, kid stuff).
I’d love to harness the intel from those of you who have posted to write a short blog post: 5 Steps on how to avoid Windows
Do I need Linux and Ubuntu? Or will Ubuntu do?
Here’s what I use and need other solutions for if I go on either platform:
Quicken
Excel
Word
Outlook
Publisher
iTunes (will this run on Ubuntu?)
Blackberry
Chrome
Carbonite.com
Tweet Deck
McAfee
Lexmark Printer (are their hardware drivers for Ubuntu?)
Also, I’m checking out HyperOffice.com, which is very MS in look at feel, but is totally online for email, calendar, and database collaboration. This could take the place of Outlook, but I’d have to pay for extra storage and the total package would be around $600 yearly.
Thoughts??? Thanks for the tips and insight!!
Thanks for all the good comments. My concern with going Mac is that I will have to purchase additional software programs in addition to the hardware. I don’t want to spend the $1500 on this now, when I just bough a new laptop a two and a half years ago.
I am interested in more info about Linux and Ubuntu. I’m downloading Ubuntu now and want to test it out. OpenOffice.org seems to be what those users utilize for word processing and spreadsheets, etc. I’d love to hear if you’ve used this and how it compares to MS Office.
I typically use Word, Excel and Outlook the most, and use Publisher for family projects (card making, flyers, kid stuff).
I’d love to harness the intel from those of you who have posted to write a short blog post: 5 Steps on how to avoid Windows
Do I need Linux and Ubuntu? Or will Ubuntu do?
Here’s what I use and need other solutions for if I go on either platform:
Quicken
Excel
Word
Outlook
Publisher
iTunes (will this run on Ubuntu?)
Blackberry
Chrome
Carbonite.com
Tweet Deck
McAfee
Lexmark Printer (are their hardware drivers for Ubuntu?)
Also, I’m checking out HyperOffice.com, which is very MS in look at feel, but is totally online for email, calendar, and database collaboration. This could take the place of Outlook, but I’d have to pay for extra storage and the total package would be around $600 yearly.
Thoughts??? Thanks for the tips and insight!!
Thanks for all the good comments. My concern with going Mac is that I will have to purchase additional software programs in addition to the hardware. I don’t want to spend the $1500 on this now, when I just bough a new laptop a two and a half years ago.
I am interested in more info about Linux and Ubuntu. I’m downloading Ubuntu now and want to test it out. OpenOffice.org seems to be what those users utilize for word processing and spreadsheets, etc. I’d love to hear if you’ve used this and how it compares to MS Office.
I typically use Word, Excel and Outlook the most, and use Publisher for family projects (card making, flyers, kid stuff).
I’d love to harness the intel from those of you who have posted to write a short blog post: 5 Steps on how to avoid Windows
Do I need Linux and Ubuntu? Or will Ubuntu do?
Here’s what I use and need other solutions for if I go on either platform:
Quicken
Excel
Word
Outlook
Publisher
iTunes (will this run on Ubuntu?)
Blackberry
Chrome
Carbonite.com
Tweet Deck
McAfee
Lexmark Printer (are their hardware drivers for Ubuntu?)
Also, I’m checking out HyperOffice.com, which is very MS in look at feel, but is totally online for email, calendar, and database collaboration. This could take the place of Outlook, but I’d have to pay for extra storage and the total package would be around $600 yearly.
Thoughts??? Thanks for the tips and insight!!