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Who Dares Computer Repair
Author: bob03.02.2008
I killed my keyboard with liquid last week. Called Apple to get it repaired and was told it would cost in the range of $600. Since the replacement keyboard costs $120, one has to wonder how extensive the work is to replace it, costing $480.So I found a site called ifixit.com Bought a replacement from them, then followed the instructions. Took about 20 minutes and it works.Well. There’s a very slight bow in it, but I’m sure that will work out. And somehow I have two extra screws left over, so I’m anticipating something falling apart in the middle of a presentation. But still. $480 for 20 minutes work? And I’m sure a lab tech could have done it in 10. So much for being consumer friendly.I did the Whidbey Island conference this past weekend. Met some people I hadn’t seen in a while. Taught some workshops and even did Improv. With Elizabeth George and Katherine Ramsland we did a little show called Step Aside Sherlock in the Whidbey Theater. We were presented with a crime scene and had to talk about how we’d approach it as a thriller writer, a mystery writer (Elizabeth) and a forensic scientist (Katherine). Quite interesting.No trips for a week and a half until I fly into Cincinnati. Which I finally know how to spell and we work on Wild Ride and He Wrote/She Wrote. Then drive to PA where I do a workshop for Pocono-Lehigh RWA. Then back to Cincy and fly home and no trips for five weeks. I hope to get my draft of Jefferson done this week and then have to finish Who Dares Wins before mid-April.Nothing but good times ahead.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 am
Well, they say if you want something done, ask a busy man. You are a busy man. How (writer question coming)do you keep your WIP from fading out of your brain with all the interruptions? If you can teach people who to do that–because most people who write are not full-time writers like you & Her–you could really facilitate the writing of a whole lot of novels. People start a novel and then abandon it when Real Life or The Day Job get too active.
I’m not going to lecture you about setting your Dr.Pepper down too near the computer. Not my job. Glad you were able to fix it yourself. Makes ya feel kinf of jaunty, doesn’t it?
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:33 am
It was a laptop keyboard I assume? I’m very impressed you fixed it. As for the screws–odd, important looking screws are always turning up around here. We dutifully save them, but I don’t believe we’ve ever been called to use one. I rather wonder at the fact that nothing has fallen apart on us. Well, except for that one chair that dropped screws like leaves, but that really was the chair’s fault. We did keep putting the screws back in, but finally the chair had a nervous break down.
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Egads - what a thing to say to a man with 2 loose screws left over from a notebook repair!
Bob - I would keep all liquids away from that puter from here on out - the body is probably not as water tight as it once was. But it probably wouldn’t have been with the $480 repair either.
Note to puter users who like to drink near their keyboards. If the coffee didn’t have additives or the pop is sugar free, gently wipe down the outside and prop it up on its side to drain and dry for 6 hrs or so. Often it will live to type again. If sugar or additives were involved, you’ll be needing a new keyboard.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Might want to recheck that new keyboard. The Enter and Space keys seem to be sticking. *ducks and covers*
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Why is that when guys fix things there are always a couple of screws left over? Hmmm, I’m thinking it’s maybe that they don’t read the directions. Do you think that’s where the “he’s a couple of screws loose” expression comes from? Heh.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:19 pm
“a very slight bow”
Now see, “bow” is one of those English words which make no sense out of context. Are you telling us that there is a small piece of decorative ribbon? A small weapon sans quiver and arrows? Is it really well mannered? In any case, yes, it probably will work itself out. One hopes, otherwise it might get in the way.
Congrats on getting it fixed.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Way back when I was doing electronic repair (not counting the years) a favorite saying “If all else fails, read the manual”
I was always having a few loose screws after a repair.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
A slight bow, huh? Maybe you should have Hannah sit on it. Or you could just wait a couple weeks and have Jenny’s dogs sit on it. Probably you won’t be able to stop them. Be nice. Hey, I’ve heard they also like stuffed animals. Maybe bring a peace offering, if you can bear to part with any of your own. So to speak.
And yeah, I’ve always suspected you had a couple screws loose. Most writers do.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Duct tape. That and a 5 lb bag of rice.
Ammo and limes come later.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
see, in the old days, everything could be fixed with duct tape or WD40. if it moved and shouldn’t, duck tape. if it should move and didn’t, WD40.
and then freakin computers come along and they break down during finals week and they couldn’t fix it in Santa Cruz but they could in LA (and by fix it, i mean send me* a freakin box to mail it to them) and yes, i am still bitter.
in other news, that improv sounds really interesting. you should add more details about that.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:28 am
OH–I had no idea you had such technical savvy. Go you! You didn’t have unbent paperclips in the olden days? Tsk tsk.
Y’all should learn the difference between screws and bolts. It’s all covered in that book, SCREWS NUTS AND BOLTS.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Rewrite:
The book mentioned above is actually
DRIVES SCREWS AND BOLTS.
There. That’ll do.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Is that book a sequel to Eats, shoots and leaves?
March 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Not the sequel, Merry. More like an homage.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
So, Bob, did it snow at your house?
March 7th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
hee hee
ah, the paperclips. those were the days…