I had two computers crash in one week

[coriolis]

Both machines should have been retired a long time ago. One of them had a replacement power supply duct taped to the back because it didn't fit in the case. Due to an unfortunate plant watering accident, it needs another new power supply. It's worth the $25 to be able to access my files that were not backed up.

I'm pretty sure that in the other, the hard drive crashed. When booting, I get an error that the OS can't be found, and the hard drive is making a sick clicking sound. (The click of death) I did read that you can put the hard drive in the freezer, to possible coax it to work for a short time. My son lost about 1000 mp-3's, and he's begging me to install Morpheus on the remaining "good" computer. I'm reluctant to do that because for now it's 6 people on one computer. It's getting tense around here with 3 Runscape addicts.

I pulled out a really old machine from the garage that still has windows NT, and I'm typing from that one right now. Internet is about all you can do on it.

I might be in the market for another new used computer soon.

[JonathanBelles]

I'd wait until february and get Vista in a Brand New computer

[tropicana]

Yeah, having a computer thats crashed is a horrible feeling. And oh geez, to lose 1000 mp3s... thats just the icing on the cake.

[Stephanie]

Good old duct tape!

It's going to get ugly around there soon Ed. That would be a great "family" Christmas gift.

[gtalum]

I'd wait until february and get Vista in a Brand New computer

I would NOT buy Vista in the first year. If XP and Win98 were any indication, you should wait until they release Vista SP2, after M$ has the general public debug their crappy software for them.

[JonathanBelles]

i bought XP when it first came out and it was fine.

[Amraann]

one computer, 6 people.. OUCH
Been there, done that and have the bruises:)

Maybe you can pick up a used tower for not to much? Just till you can buy a new one?
I agree about the new version of Windows... Wait a year.

I have a couple of runescape addicts too

[gtalum]

i bought XP when it first came out and it was fine.

They may not have affected you directly, but XP was full of major serious flaws, insecurities, and instabilities when released. That is why they released SP2. M$ likes for us to pay for the "privilege" of debugging their crapware for them.

[wxmann_91]

Both machines should have been retired a long time ago. One of them had a replacement power supply duct taped to the back because it didn't fit in the case. Due to an unfortunate plant watering accident, it needs another new power supply. It's worth the $25 to be able to access my files that were not backed up.

I'm pretty sure that in the other, the hard drive crashed. When booting, I get an error that the OS can't be found, and the hard drive is making a sick clicking sound. (The click of death) I did read that you can put the hard drive in the freezer, to possible coax it to work for a short time. My son lost about 1000 mp-3's, and he's begging me to install Morpheus on the remaining "good" computer. I'm reluctant to do that because for now it's 6 people on one computer. It's getting tense around here with 3 Runscape addicts.

I pulled out a really old machine from the garage that still has windows NT, and I'm typing from that one right now. Internet is about all you can do on it.

I might be in the market for another new used computer soon.

Oh boy the clicking was the sound of death. Machine always stalled while I was doing something and then rebooted by itself (or I did). Thankfully I got a new hard drive before it was too late, backed up most everything... BUT...forgot FAVORITES!!! Oh well. Installed new drive and everything went back to normal.

[gtalum]

I know this tidbit is too late to help you with your current predicament, but BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP! Large-capacity external USB 2.0 hard drives are so cheap now and backups are so fast that you should do it once a week or more. You can set it up so that every computer on your network backs up automatically in the middle of the night, if you want.

[Meso]

To lose 1000 mp3s? My hdd had troubles and I ALMOST lost 14 543 MP3s... needless to say,when it was up..I went and bought 20 blank dvds and wrote all of my music to them ;p And like I said in the other thread regarding SP2... EVIL.. Sp2 is like living in fear of being robbed so you lock yourself in with no chance of getting out.. Some of the most stupid security actions. Sp1 + Anti-Virus + firewall + Using ones brains = Perfect.