Tuesday, September 17, 2013

I'm Screwed

Having a love/hate relationship with my computer, but I am doing OK.

I have been trying to write a blog for a week now, but my Mr. Dell is not cooperating.  The dashboard on Blogger is not coming up and I am unable to do anything.  Since my reliable Apple iPad shows everything just fine, I suspect that something nasty has attached itself to my elderly computer.  You know how scammers and spammers prey on the old and vulnerable, well they got me and my Dell pretty good.

I have had this iPad for almost two years now and sometimes use it for writing my posts.  However, I don't know how to do the iCloud bit or play around with apps to get the things I need. Everything changes so quickly in technology and instead of taxing my brain with things that will be different next week, I just work around what I know and avoid the frustration.

Hopefully, I will get out of this mess by next week and resume my blog with pictures. Maybe I will have my 10 year old granddaughter come over to work on it with me as this techie stuff is second nature to kids.   Everybody over 50 is using their brains for more cerebral things - at least that is what I tell myself.



30 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear you've got hackers in the Dell. I've been running extra scans on my old Hewlett Packard because my blog got suddenly and hugely popular in Russia according to the little dashboard map and that's never a good sign. Granddaughter to the rescue sounds like an excellent idea --you'll have fun whether it fixes the problem or not. Good luck!

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    1. I am also very popular in Russia and Romania, and lately China. I run scans and check my security walls to see what is going on, but I am sure there are ways for these hackers to get through. It is about beong one step ahead of them. I am also sure thre are many coming from the good old USA also.

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  2. Oh Lord...protect me from virus and nasty people getting into my systems...so far so good. When you are done with your grand daughter send her over here. I could use some advice.

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    1. Lucky you, Delores. I have had problems before, but have somehow gotten around them. This one has me so frustrated.

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  3. Oh Arleen, I'm so sorry. Hope your granddaughter sorts it out for you. My stupid computer keeps bring up tabs I don't want although I've been into the settings and told them I don't want them. D'you think a good swear at it would help. I can't think of anything else.

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  4. I feel your pain; it's our pain. And I mean everyone over a certain age, which ranges from fifty on up. Even my daughter, who used to know everything, turns to her kids to see how things work.

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    1. Joanne, today, when it comes to fast changing technology, the students have become the teachers.

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  5. I can't tell you how many times I have been in this mess - hope you get it resolved.

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    1. There is something I may try tomorrow. It may have one of three outcomes: Dell will die, I will retrieve my full blog, or everything will remain the same. If I am able to change my header picture, that will mean I performed a techie miracle or else I called in The Geek Squad.

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  6. Arleen, my Dell passed a year or so ago. It was torture writing on it. I have figured out how to write a post on my IPad. I hope all works out for you soon. Bonnie

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  7. Aaaargh. I feel your pain. I have been there far too often.

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    1. Conspiracy theory #2,000,000: computer companies put something in their hardware that makes it act up after 5 years. The owner becomes frustrated and buys new.

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  8. I swear everything has planned obsolescence now. My HP lasted 5 years. This is a refurbished 2005 Dell with Windows XP, which I hate. I thought Vista was bad and slow until I got XP. XP=Hell.

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  9. My wife has an iPad.... to me it is a total mystery!!!

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  10. You're right - technology is changing weekly. But don't be afraid to ask for help. I am constantly confused, but I google things or even post on my FB page that I need help. The cavalry is right around the corner. Good luck! :-)

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  11. If your granddaughter still has trouble you may want to make an appointment with a technician at the Apple Store if it's not too far away. If proximity is a problem, they may offer online chats. Good luck Arleen, and I'm sorry this has been such a pain in the neck.

    Julie

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  12. Ai yi yi! Just went from a Dell to a Mac -- the difference in speed is INCREDIBLE.

    I recommend them. :-)

    Pearl

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  13. Hi Arleen,

    Computers, eh. I hate them at the best of times and one little gremlin can put everything out.

    I don't no if Dell still do this, but at one time you could only get a Dell computer by ordering one online. Which would be rather difficult to do without a computer.

    Wishing you good luck.

    Gary

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  14. G'day, Arleen...I write a weekly article for our local "rag" here where I live; and for this coming week's article I wrote and submitted something similar along the lines of today's technology; and trying (or not trying)to keep pace with it. I declared that I've given up trying to...and that heavy breathing is for the young and fit!

    Take heart in that you are not alone in your frustration, Arleen! :)

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  15. Computers can leave one high and dry. My own dear pc had the same problems, but fortunately it was still on warranty and I had made back-up disks at the beginning. Good luck!

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  16. Kids are the best when it comes to computer help. Hope you get it worked out.

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  17. IPad and IPhone have just upgraded to IOS7. More reasons to pull out my hair by the roots.

    Get help from the kids. They’ll also be able to tell you if your old computer’s had it. For Good.

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  18. Dear Arleen, I hope you've figured all this out. I'm technologically challenged and I find life so frustrating when something goes amiss on the computer. So good luck! Peace.

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  19. I can post on my iPad, but not do anything very complex. My computer is holding on, but I am afraid that one day will be its last day. It's on my list to replace, but I'm not quite there yet.

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  20. Oh, bummer. Sorry to hear about your Dell giving you a fit. I hope your granddaughter was able to fix it for you. (It's soooo very humbling to have to ask our grandchildren to fix something, isn't it...?)

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  21. I understand your problem. Every time something strange happens to my computer I have to call my daughter in Memphis, TN, for help. I hope your computer trouble will be over soon.
    You asked me if I ever went to Longwood Gardens when we lived in Ardmore. No, we did not because at the time my husband was at the University of Pennsylvania and we did not have a car. We commuted with public transportation. We bought an old VW at the end of his studies and then we moved away. I’d love to go and visit them though.

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  22. Yes, a 10 year old is always the answer in situations like this, I am afraid! I hope you're sorted out soon.

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  23. My hubby, the tech guru, despises Dell computers. That should say it all. Get yourself something else, something reliable and you'll be good to go. Not a Dell. ;)

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