Kick 'Em When They're Down

[viridian5]

My laptop's screen has started flickering at times. The first time ever was yesterday, and last night it got so bad that I turned it off immediately. My screen is dimmer today and has flickered a few times since I started it but seems to be dimmer but stable for now, though it's giving me a bit of eyestrain. I had no discernible problem until

Comments

[chainedinbeads]

I can almost guarantee that they'll tell you to replace it. The screen for a four year old machine can be up to $150. Though I still think that's cheaper than a whole new machine.

I know what you mean about the laptop being important. I was without mine when I had it sent out last year and, even though I had a desktop system, it wasn't as easy for me to sit for long enough to use it. And yeah, when you're disabled, your whole world becomes the internet when you can't get out of the house. I'd do without cable tv and the phone before I'd do without my internet.

*hugs* Good luck with everything going on. SSDI is a pain to get but it's definitely worth it once you have it.

[viridian5]

Spending a consulting fee to have them tell me I should just replace my machine kinda scares me. And their last referral in May 2007 sent me to an awful shop full of incompetents.

Yeah. I really need my internet.

I feel so overwhelmed right now. The Legal Aid lawyer for SSDI called me last Friday to ask about something that was holding him back from trying to get the case moving. I'm left wondering if anything is going on. I'm also swimming under a mountain of paperwork I'm trying to figure out for Medicaid, food stamps, and public assistance.

Thanks.

[chainedinbeads]

See if you have a local Family Health Services place in your area. Sometimes they have social workers that can either help you with the paperwork or they know a place that can.

[viridian5]

I have a social worker through New York Eye & Ear Infirmary in NYC, and she's a nice person who's helped me with a few things but mostly she's all "That sounds really hard" over the phone. I've been having trouble finding people who are good with this kind of paperwork.

[amireal]

My suggestion is to go to a local best buy and make nice with the people behind the geek squad counter. They might be able to give you some advice without making you leave the comp there JUST for a diagnostic. The geek squad really are just geeks, so if you speak their language (i.e. aren't there to get your outlook to speak to the internets) they'll be pretty receptive. I had the screen problem too, odds are it's either an internal connection or the screen itself. If you're low on funds, go with the cheaper option, if they think it can last for a while, wait and get something on credit if you have to.

[viridian5]

I'll have to find a different Best Buy than the last one I went to when I had my fan problem, because the guy I got didn't want to hazard a guess at the counter and said they'd have to take my laptop to some shop elsewhere and keep it for three weeks even to get an idea of what was wrong. I think that Best Buy uses fake geeks.

It doesn't help that the rest of the laptop is wearing down as well. I've already had to replace the fan last year, yet I still have the occasional overheating sounds. Sometimes my computer makes some unusual noises.

This is terrible timing all the way around.

[amireal]

If your laptop sputters and dies, I've got one you can borrow to deal with your stuff. The batter is crap (i.e. doesn't work at ALL, you need to be plugged in) and the DVD player is ooky, i.e. you can install stuff, but I wouldn't try watching anything with it, and the file transfer rate is shit. But it works well otherwise and has a clean install on it (minus my stuff which I'd mostly clear out). It runs slightly hot too, but just avoid sitting it on stifling things like pillows and maybe elevate the back.

So worst case is your laptop becomes unusuable and you've got no other options, drop me a line.

[viridian5]

I'll keep you in mind. Thank you very much.

[marasmine]

I hope it fixes itself for you. Have you tried the non-tech fixes of repositioning the angle of the screen in case it is just the flexi connection playing up? Or smacking it carefully? You really don't need that on top of everything else at the moment. Laptops seem to be getting cheaper over here but it really doesn't help how cheap a replacement is if you haven't got the money spare.

I was amazed to find that a video player was a priority item when my kids were small - I needed to be able to put in a favourite tape for them to give myself breathing room. Now computer/laptop are priority items for me.

Good luck with all the paperwork.

[viridian5]

I've repositioned the screen. Since the flicker started, closing down means also closing up the laptop to see if it helps. I'm too scared to smack it!

Thanks.

[ext_59120]

*hugs*

Wishing you and your laptop well. I wish I could say more about the paperwork, but I think I was lucky to be so out of it when I had to handle things. As it is, I've been having to fight and fight for my rights with my current landlord while dealing with health issues and hoping for the new place.

I really want things to work out well for you. I'm going to say a prayer you'll get back pay.

[viridian5]

Thanks. I'm seriously worried about how much life this screen has left in it.

I don't know what would have happened to me if I'd be incapable of fighting for myself. Everything I have, what little it is, is from fighting for it myself.

I've been following your ongoing fight with your landlord with anger and horror. I'm hoping for the best for you.

Thanks.

[ext_59120]

I just remembered too at the time that my clinic (primary care health service) had had an expert in this paperwork who'd since retired. And unfortunately he didn't train anyone or share his contacts.

But yeah, we fight, swinging our 'canes' around, cause really, to far too many we're just a number on paper or a void empty of anything but money.

Is a laptop the best thing for you?

[viridian5]

I talk to lots of people who think they know how it's done. Unfortunately, it usually conflicts with what other people are saying.

I don't have a lot of space in my room, so something small like a laptop is nice. Plus, when I traveled more I took my laptop of the time all over the place with me.