The computer is down... I repeat
...the computer is down.
My laptop is currently non-functional. It overheated while I was doing some web work, and it crashed. The crash apparently corrupted some Windows files. When it cooled down, I tried to restart it, and it entered a restart-shutdown loop. I couldn't log on. I was glad I could access BIOS. So, I took the logical step of using the Windows rescue CD supplied with the machine back when it was new. It fixed the Windows file problem... by reformatting my hard drive.
ARGH!!!
This leads me to address multiple problems:
1. Having lost LOTS of data, I have to acquire data recovery software and TRY to get back what I can. I mainly want to try and resurrect my work directory. I used a separate section of my hard drive to back up files I didn't want on the household network (including the book I've been working on for months). That was a reasonable precaution for me screwing up a file by accident, but not against massive failure. I've lost backups for months of work.
When I discovered this, I wanted to cry. I felt like I almost had a nervous breakdown. I'm better now, but still upset about it.
2. In future I'll have to back up to a USB key or something to avoid the data being on the network, but still having a backup that is not on the laptop itself.
3. The machine is still overheating, despite my removal of the 1G memory I added some time ago. Therefore there is another cause for this problem. The more I think of it, it didn't overheat when I added the new memory. It started some time after that. I'll have to check over the hardware and see if a fan connection has come loose or a vent gotten blocked. There has to be some physical reason it keeps overheating; I'm not doing anything in terms of software or usage patterns that is different from before it overheated. The only connection is it started about the same time as when I installed the Civ IV expansion pack, and I doubt that is the cause, since it overheats even when I DON'T have the Civ CD in, and I haven't played it in quite a while.
In any case, net access is spotty for a while, as I have to use Phil's computer, until I get mine running again.
Worst case scenario, I've lost the book, and lots of photos and personal files. I'll have to call my publisher, and submit myself for decapitation (figuratively). I'll then have to get over it, and salvage what I can. Only the book is irrevocably screwed if the file recovery fails. The rest wasn't such a big deal. And I can even start over on the book, if the publisher doesn't fire me. It was almost done, and already a bit past the unofficial deadline.
My laptop is currently non-functional. It overheated while I was doing some web work, and it crashed. The crash apparently corrupted some Windows files. When it cooled down, I tried to restart it, and it entered a restart-shutdown loop. I couldn't log on. I was glad I could access BIOS. So, I took the logical step of using the Windows rescue CD supplied with the machine back when it was new. It fixed the Windows file problem... by reformatting my hard drive.
ARGH!!!
This leads me to address multiple problems:
1. Having lost LOTS of data, I have to acquire data recovery software and TRY to get back what I can. I mainly want to try and resurrect my work directory. I used a separate section of my hard drive to back up files I didn't want on the household network (including the book I've been working on for months). That was a reasonable precaution for me screwing up a file by accident, but not against massive failure. I've lost backups for months of work.
When I discovered this, I wanted to cry. I felt like I almost had a nervous breakdown. I'm better now, but still upset about it.
2. In future I'll have to back up to a USB key or something to avoid the data being on the network, but still having a backup that is not on the laptop itself.
3. The machine is still overheating, despite my removal of the 1G memory I added some time ago. Therefore there is another cause for this problem. The more I think of it, it didn't overheat when I added the new memory. It started some time after that. I'll have to check over the hardware and see if a fan connection has come loose or a vent gotten blocked. There has to be some physical reason it keeps overheating; I'm not doing anything in terms of software or usage patterns that is different from before it overheated. The only connection is it started about the same time as when I installed the Civ IV expansion pack, and I doubt that is the cause, since it overheats even when I DON'T have the Civ CD in, and I haven't played it in quite a while.
In any case, net access is spotty for a while, as I have to use Phil's computer, until I get mine running again.
Worst case scenario, I've lost the book, and lots of photos and personal files. I'll have to call my publisher, and submit myself for decapitation (figuratively). I'll then have to get over it, and salvage what I can. Only the book is irrevocably screwed if the file recovery fails. The rest wasn't such a big deal. And I can even start over on the book, if the publisher doesn't fire me. It was almost done, and already a bit past the unofficial deadline.