The fact is that my laptop is 5 years OLD. Many people have told me to buy an Apple next time. I know I should, but I’m reluctant because I’ve always used Windows and Apples are expensive. In an effort to avoid that expense right now and to avoid proving that I’m an old dog, I decided to upgrade to Windows 7.
I awoke Sunday ready to install the new system and put the disc into my PC. My clock said it was 9:30 a.m. The program advised me to check my system’s compatibility to Windows 7. I write. I’m not a techie. Who am I to ignore advice from Microsoft?
The compatibility assessment advised getting rid of my iTunes program at least temporarily just for the install. It also advised me to get rid of an old antivirus program that I wasn’t aware was still on my system. This has happened to me before—pieces of old programs scattered about my system like junk in an unorganized and overfilled junk drawer. I consider this sloppy work by the antivirus company’s programmers and their lacking makes me disinclined to buy their product again, which my guru told me would be unnecessary because Windows 7 comes with its own security and antivirus software. Ha-ha, I thought, serves you right! Who needs you?
None of them worked. I couldn’t find any files on my system even when I checked the registry and found that the company was unlisted in any drawer. After all my failures and reboots later, my clock said it was 3 p.m. I hadn’t intended to spend the entire day on this project. Other projects called. I picked up the phone and called my guru, who was good enough to come over.
He couldn’t get it to upgrade my system either. At least I didn’t feel incompetent. We reinstalled iTunes and the antivirus program—yes the one, which caused all the problems—because in Vista I needed such a program. And then we ordered more RAM. If I couldn’t upgrade the operating system, the only solutions was to make Vista work better and adding RAM would help.
“They” say that money can’t buy happiness. Maybe it can’t, but maybe it can relieve a lot of stress. Next time, I’ll get the Apple.
What increases your stress level?
5 comments:
Computers including this web site at time are stressful.
As the hours passed on my clock, my frustration and stress levels zoomed. Wasting time is one of my pet peeves, while carving out time to write is my goal. Had I used the time to write, I'd be two weeks a head of schedule. I blame the antivirus company, and yet, why would Windows 7 be so sensitive that it wouldn't install until my system was in perfect harmony. If it was working perfectly, I wouldn't need Windows 7! I feel like I'm chasing my tail, ahhhh....
Don't feel bad, Elaine. It took Best Buy Gurus 3 days to upgrade my system to Windows 7. I wonder too, if the fact that the computer doesn't talk back to us in our language, adds to our stress.
I'm convinced computers are the work of the devil and Microsoft is Lucifer reincarnated. I have a coninuous love-hate relationship with mine. I'm still sticking with PCs because it's easier when dealing with most of the world. "Seamless translation" is an oxymoron as far as I'm concerned.
Anyway, you have my sympathy and I wish you well. :-)
Thanks Pauline and Ellis! Usually, I'm the one who is good with computers even though I'm no techie. Perhaps that's why I didn't expect trouble and was doubly exasperated when I did.
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