Us humans in general, and this Human in particular, all too often ask the question "WHY?" and there are some "WHY?" questions that simply do not have answers.. Here are a few examples:
Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?
Why isn't there mouse-flavoured cat food?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the 'terminal'?
Why did Human try to drown her laptop with a cup of tea?... and with Rooibos Tea at that!
Of course there are two answers to the last question. Answer No 1 is: "The devil made me do it" and we all know that answer would be just an easy opt out and thus not acceptable. Answer No 2 is simply one word: "Stupidity!" and that one is (painful as it is) the correct one.
Yes fellow citizens of Blogland. It is official! After preaching to all and sundry the old, old, sermon about the sins of liquids on and/or over laptops, I went and did it... spilled tea all over my laptop... no excuses, just plain stupidity!
Almost two weeks later, I am back on the air (as they say in the classics) thanks to the sturdiness of my dear little Dell. It only needed a couple of days to dry out and it is as good as new... well, almost. The left hand "Ctrl" and "Shift" keys refuse to do what they are supposed to do, but apart from that, it has survived and I am back in the land of the Bloggers.
When I spilled the tea (and listen carefully now, it can happen to anyone), I immediately turned it upside down, pulled out the pluggie and took out the battery. I then left it in the upside down position overnight, but when I tried starting it the next morning, nothing happened. I arranged for Liz (my very patient with her aging parent daughter, who just happened to be travelling through Naboomspruit that day) to pick it up on her way back to Johannesburg and take it in for a quote.
When I told people who know about these things, of my little accident, figures of between three and four thousand rands to have it repaired, were bandied about. Well, my blood pressure went through the roof and my heart dropped into my shoes on hearing these impossible predictions. I phoned Hubby and he immediately contacted our insurance as even I (stupidity and all) realised that the wonderful Dell Warranty will not cover this kind of damage. He came back a little later with the news that we are only covered for R2,000 for breakages... not nearly enough to save my Dell's life!
Liz could not take it in to Dell immediately and it had to wait until Friday, thus, four days. On Friday morning, before she took it in for the quote (the quote alone would have cost me R250), clever girl that I raised her to be, she switched it on just to see what would happen... and IT BOOTED NORMALLY!
Obviously it only needed to dry out properly and both my heart and blood pressure is back where they belong... and I am back in Blogland.
10 comments:
Your tale scared the heck out of me and I am glad I no longer have liquids next to my computer unless they are in my absolutely wonderful Contigo leakproof travel mug. It is the best thing I ever purchased and it is so reliable. I take it with me when I travel and no one can take it from me! Not a sip leaks out. I have a collection of other mugs that are not worth the money I paid for them!
Glad to see you back here!
At 65, I've done it! My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!
( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
After my recent laptop issues, your post gives me great joy that I settled upon a Dell this time -- I have hope, through your words, that it will survive well!!
So glad to see you back in action, and that great cost was narrowly averted :)
You can hurry it along with a hair dryer.
CARMEN: THAT IS WONDERFUL NEWS! CONGRATULATIONS. I am so proud to have a published poet commenting on my blog - WOW!
Hi JD my friend. So happy to see your comment. I will be visiting your blog today to see what you and your laptop have been up to.
I have actually thought about the hairdryer when it happened but was weary of overheating some or other component with the hot air so I did not try it. Have you actually tried it, and did it work?
Your questions sure are puzzeling ones Anne. LOL!! I think I would be afraid of the answers to most of them. :)
I just bought a laptop too and I hope I bear in mind not to spill my coffee over it. :)
I am pleased to see you back in blogland again. Hope you are having a great weekend.
I'm so glad you're back! While you should never give your laptop a drink, no matter how thirsty it seems, your actions were very sensible - as demonstrated by the fact your Dell survived. The hairdryer idea is good so long as you don't let things get too hot - it is only plastic after all.
Oh Anne, what a nightmare. Every time I take a drink near my laptop I remind myself how stupid it is, and try to be extremely careful instead of thirsty. You were quick minded to unplug it and turn it upside down. I like the hair dryer idea. Glad the Dell survived and your back.
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the 'terminal'?
LOL...! I love it.
I haven't had time to visit my favorite blogs lately, and I was just looking at the pictures of your family. Gorgeous! You know what? Your family looks like my family. Wouldn't that be a hoot if we were related? My mom's family is from South Africa, after all...
Glad to see your computer woes are fixed. :-)
Enjoyed visiting your blog this morning.
Oh the stress these computers can cause us. I do love my laptop though! :)
Blessings,
Debra
Glad youre back mom, now that you have some thing to take up the time, the natives wont be so restless
Post a Comment