Well, fuck.
My laptop just quit on me. I can't get it to do anything.
Nada.
It won't even start up.
Fuckity fuck fuck fuck.
I can't afford this shit.
@BrentSullivan @Oma_Trisha that's a good idea depending on your requirements. Sorry that happened
@BrentSullivan Thanks for the suggestion. I'm a freelance writer working on a book. I hate Chromebooks. They're crap.
@Oma_Trisha Oh no! Aside from a phone, do you have an alternative device that you can use‽ Also, is the laptop 💻 under warranty still‽
@Darnell
1) The only other device I have is a Kindle Fire, and that's not going to do it for writing.
2) Absolutely not. I bought it the year after my husband died, so it's 5 years old. I've been wanting to replace it for a while, but I haven't had the money. I still don't have the money.
@Oma_Trisha Oh ok. Hmmm…here is a list of organizations that offer free computers to those in need.
👉🏾 https://standupwireless.com/nonaff/blog-looking-for-a-free-laptop-how-low-income-people-can-apply/
There are certain requirements a person needs to meet in order to be granted a free laptop, & some do background checks too. They might be worth checking out.
@Darnell Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I get just enough money through SSDI disqualify me for any low income assistance. They don't care about the size of your bills. All they look at is your income. I do appreciate you trying, though.
@Oma_Trisha
Can I ask if you've removed the battery pack and tried simply using the power cord?
@Shelter Nope. It's an HP envy 360, so getting the battery pack out is kind of like minor surgery -- and it's a royal pain in the ass. I have to take the whole damn thing apart to get to it.
Ah fuck.
I hate how they've moved to that nonsense.
@Shelter I've already replaced the battery pack once. I was going to buy a new laptop with my tax refund. I don't want to have to put it on my credit card.... I tried to save it for emergencies like car repairs or if something in the house breaks down. I still haven't paid off the vet bill for Jack. I may not have a choice.
It was much easier when you didn't have to go to such grief to take out a damn battery pack
I just found this video.
I have no idea if it will help, because I don't have the laptop in front of me.
@Shelter Okay. Here's the problem. There's no blinking light over by the charger. If I push the on/off button, I get nothing. It is completely and totally dead.
Once I calm down a bit, I may go see if I can find the special tools I need to take the son of a bitch apart again. The only thing is, because it's almost 6 years old, I probably just need to replace it. I just hate to think of everything on this computer I can't access any longer.
@Oma_Trisha @Shelter if it is the battery/power supply, you'll be able to (in the future when you either have the time or the money for help) salvage the hard drives (if all else fails) and have all your data back. No consolation at the moment I am sure.
@Coffee_and_Salt @Shelter I have no idea how to even begin doing that crap. I knew how to do it on the old desktop computers, but this one is a whole different animal.
@Oma_Trisha
You'll have access once you already have the machine open.
If you can spare about $30 in your endeavors I want you to get a hard drive docking station and remove the hard drive that's currently in this laptop, connect the station to new laptop, insert the hard drive from the Envy, and transfer your files.
@Oma_Trisha
Then at some point I want you to get a decent sized thumb drive and each night at shut down copy all new files to it.
Because I don't want you to have this extra layer of sick feeling ever again.
@Shelter I have a 1 TB external hard drive with a copy of my manuscript, family photos, and other important stuff. The only things on my laptop are the things I use every single day and didn't think about copying to the hard drive. I probably have 16 thumb drives here. I emptied them all onto the external hard drive.
@Shelter Huh what???? I can do that?
@Oma_Trisha
It's ridiculously easy. You insert the old hard drive in the docking station, open up files in windows, look to your left, and the device will be there. Click on it. You can then explore and copy or move. I recommend copy.
@Oma_Trisha @Shelter I took a quick shufti at a search. This might help. They say take out the battery but they also say if it's integrated just leave it in.
@Oma_Trisha question: how can we help you? I know money fixing a lot of problems, so let's see maybe we can donate for a Christmas gift for a writer? I don't have PayPal but I believe there are other ways to do donation.
@Faustus There are people on this platform who can't pay their bills, so asking for money for a laptop just -- I can't do that. It's not fair. Fortunately, I had the smarts to store my manuscript on my external hard drive, so I didn't lose it. It may not be the most updated version, but I can fix that.
@Oma_Trisha I know 😑, but there are those who can still help...
@Oma_Trisha @Faustus don't forget to check your local library or local writer incubator.
@Oma_Trisha That stinks. Maybe someone on here has one they aren't using.
@Oma_Trisha I don't have money, but I do have laptops I can part with. Message me here and we can figure out how best to get it to you. I have a MBA and an HP laptop that just gather dust. I can wipe one of them and send them your way when I get home from dog sitting. Friday.
@VolleyB Are you serious? That would be fantastic! I'm trying to pay off my credit cards so I can get my knees fixed, and the thought of spending $800 on another laptop had me almost in tears.
@Oma_Trisha yes, I'm serious. It will be good motivation for me to consolidate my files and purge things I've been hanging on to. And need to let go. Hang on to your old charger and then you'll have a spare if they are compatible.
@Oma_Trisha
Sux
Don't know how you use it, but perhaps an inexpensive Chromebook will get you by