TECHNOLOGY TROUBLES

This is probably going to be long post and you may get bored before finishing the read.  But if your computer isn't suitable to upgrade from WIN10 to WIN11 you may want to come back and continue reading.  As you may know and as your computer may have reminded you, Windows 10 will discontinue their security updates as of October 14th 2025.

The other morning I turned on the PC then went to get my first cup of coffee and let the computer boot up so I could do my anti-virus update upon my return.  I came back to see a different blue screen which said "we are getting your Windows ready".  HUH?  I hadn't even typed in my 4 digit PIN to identify the user.  Plus, the computer is not compatible for the WIN11 update so couldn't understand what was happening.

Immediately noticed the icons were rearranged on the screen, no icons at the bottom showing Outlook, file access, Google Chrome and a couple others.  I had to type in my password to access my Comcast Xfinity email (not my Outlook mail).  Actually had to type in passwords for Facebook, and everything else I'd lost.  Decided to shut down the PC as I was ticked off big time, as you may imagine.

Next day deciding to face the demon computer again, turned it on and everything was back like normal; even my contacts were back.  Wonder if it was Microsoft's way to give me a wakeup call and get me moving to buy another computer?  Well I started researching that day but still haven't ordered my computer just yet.  It's a lot of money to make a hasty decision.

I know the brand will be a DELL.  Right now I'm considering a Vostro 3030 , Inspiron 3030 and Inspiron 3910.  Reading people's ratings some have commented that the operating system in some was advertised as Pro but was loaded with Home.  Also read on one where there was a CD tray but was non-functioning.  Frankly I don't use the CD a lot but what if I did want to access some of my old CD files?

Someone suggested a DELL OptiPlex but when doing my research found numerous refurbished ones.  One reason people gave for not liking that brand was because it was registered in a foreign country and the buyer couldn't register it in their name.  Maybe that was due to it being made in foreign country or perhaps it was previously owned by someone in a foreign country, who knows.  But I did take a screen shot of the refurbished listings on one page.

OptiPlex is not one I'll purchase even if new as I don't want it to eventually become a statistic too.  Of course there is a chance of getting a lemon in anything these days.

Am nervous to just click the "BUY" button on anything until I exhaust my searching.  Problem with waiting tho, is that if there are limited numbers of the model I want in stock will it still be there when the decision is made.  Or...what if I do wait to find a good sale due to school starting soon?  

On Best Buy there were several computers which said "open box".  When I inquired to the exact meaning was told it had either been returned or was a display model.  Neither is a good choice for me, I want a NEW one.

OH!  There was a disappointing revelation that DELL doesn't have any models which have a speaker port or phone port on the back any longer.  I don't want my speaker wires hanging out of the front of the dang computer!!!!!  But was informed there is a $6 connection sold by Amazon to take care of that situation.  However I don't know what that connection is or what it looks like to order.  So will deal with that when faced with the issue.

Meanwhile will go back and pull a few more loops on the current project.  If I get bored doing that can always continue binding the Snowman rug.  There's more rain and heavy winds coming as the hurricane moves up the east coastline.  So will batten down the hatches and keep myself busy.

Saundra

Hester Finished and Windows 10 (yup, again!)

I'll post about the fun stuff first.  Hester is all hooked and now only needs steaming and binding.  Haven't decided how to bind it yet but here's Hester, which is a free pattern in the latest issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  The design is by Lori Brechlin.

And this morning I am heading back to the Geek Squad with my brand new, not even two weeks old, Windows 10 computer.  Yup, two days ago started getting 'critical errors' at the start button and Cortana ~  those of you who have Windows 10 will know what I'm talking about.  And for those of you who don't have Windows 10, lucky you.

Anyway, I'd get that critical error message and would be told to restart and the problem would resolve itself.  After this happening a few times finally neither Cortana or the start button work.  So an irritating and inconvenient 35 minute trip to Best Buy Geek Squad to get my new computer to work......hopefully.  At least I was able to post a picture.

Update on computer:  having returned from Geek Squad they said they had not seen a problem like this before so after some fiddling with places on the computer they normally check said he was going to go on line to see what other computer geeks had to say about the problem. He returned telling me what I already knew, that many people were having the same problem but no suggestions on how to resolve it.  And worse yet?  Microsoft hasn't figured out how to correct the problem.  Hey Bill Gates, what the h#11 is going on here?

So brought the computer home and all I can do is wait until Microsoft figures out how to fix this and get the Windows Update.

Hope your Friday goes well for everyone.

Saundra