An update on my computer issues...

In the setting of The Dresden Files, the wizards can't use modern electronics because they break on them inexplicably.  I have been told in the past that I am a Dresden wizard, just without the cool magic stuff that goes with it.  Stuff just breaks for me, inexplicably, but when others check on it, it seems fine.

When Ringtail got home from work on Friday, he checked into my work machine's CPU fan issue. And it never errors, in all the tries, it never errored for him. It ran just fine. And throughout this weekend, it ran just fine.

"Crisis averted" we thought. "Must be just a false positive, I wouldn't worry about it."  Okay.

This morning, while Ringtail was gone, GUESS WHAT HAPPENED!  I tried to run it two or three times, each giving the error.  I then walked the dogs, realizing that I might have to draw the comic on my cintiq companion (That would take twice as long, but I could do it).

But then, I went back inside, and I begged my computer, like I spoke to it out loud, "If you run for me just this once, I will buy you a new CPU fan, I know it doesn't work, but I need you to run for me."  And 'lo, the computer started.

I bought the fan. I managed to get the order in, in time, to get same day shipping from amazon. So hopefully it will be here tonight and Ringtail can put the new fan in.

In addition to this, this weekend I tried to start my Chevy Avalanche.  It wouldn't start. Turn the key and get a clickclickclickclick.  Now, everyone knows that this is the sound of a dead battery.  BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.  The Avalanche had trouble starting back in July. We tried to charge up the battery but it wouldn't hold a charge at all. Battery was dead.  It was old, so I thought, "yeah, I guess it's about due."  So the Avalanche quite literally has a brand new battery.

So why, then, does it clickclickclickclick.  Some of you are car guys, I bet. And I'm hoping you came to the same conclusion that I did.  The alternator is dead.  The Avalanche continued to have a starting problem after the new battery was put in. I don't drive it much so I thought perhaps the starter was going.  But now with the signs of a failing battery again, I think perhaps that the alternator hasn't been charging the new one up at all. (I still think the old battery was dead since it wouldn't hold a charge).

So now I get to add this to my list.  The good news is that an alternator installation in the Avalanche is relatively easy. It's right there in the front of the engine with room to get around. So I'll be doing this myself (With the help of my other roommate, who has experience changing alternators as well).  But the part is still $130.

So. Yes, that's an update.  How it will impact what I do for you guys? Uh well, that depends on the stability of my work machine. I'm hoping you guys won't notice at all.

I am still implementing my plan of taking vacation weeks off to try to get caught up on BT and other things. So that has not changed. 

I just thought you guys should be informed.