I am Gonna SCREAM!! My Stupid Laptop Died!!!!!

[72rtchallenger]

What is the computer doing? Does it even make it past the POST screen?  Does it ever go to the Windows boot screen?  If you still have the Windows disk there are several Windows recovery functions that you can try to run before blanking the HD or buying a new computer. 

Worse comes to worst, you can buy a standalone SATA cable to transfer your documents from the old hard drive to a new hard drive which will be much cheaper than a new computer.  I bought a universal one for like $20 at Tiger Direct.  If the hard drive failed you are probably screwed, you may not be able to get any files off of it.

yea what he says

[70burntorangeT/A]

One little thing you should consider is getting an external hard drive to store your strip info on. That way if you puter craps out you don't loose the strips saved info. I have a 350 Gig external hard drive I store all the stuff I don't want to loose on.   

An external hard drive is a great idea....i got a 640 GB external at walmart for 60 bucks

[Rare_T_A]

Gary the cash has been sent.  Best of luck getting going again.

Rare T/A

[ChallengerGary]

Luckily, I have an external hard drive and did back up my files just a couple of weeks ago. 

The biggest hassle is going to be finding my program disks.  We've moved twice since I needed them last and God only knows where they are.  I hope like heck I find them, the software I use for stripes costs over $2500.00 

[Rare_T_A]

What program do you use?

[ChallengerGary]

I use Flexi-Sign Pro.  It's a vector art program that is really geared towards what I do.  I've been using it for about 7-8 years and don't know if I can deal without it.  I know some people use Illustrator and a few other programs for vinyl cutting but I cut my teeth on Flexi-Sign so not sure if this old dog can learn new tricks anymore LOL

[Rare_T_A]

Sorry then I cannot help. I thought if you used Illustrator I may be able to help as I have that one.

[ChallengerGary]

Well, still waiting on the IT guy at work to take a look at my laptop.  If he can't do anything about it other than retrieve the data, I found a new one at Best Buy for only $329.99. Hard to believe - it's faster than my old one, has more RAM and a hard drive that is 4x's as big and is about $800 less than what I paid for the last one.  How they heck do they do that?!?!? 

[70burntorangeT/A]

Well, still waiting on the IT guy at work to take a look at my laptop.  If he can't do anything about it other than retrieve the data, I found a new one at Best Buy for only $329.99. Hard to believe - it's faster than my old one, has more RAM and a hard drive that is 4x's as big and is about $800 less than what I paid for the last one.  How they heck do they do that?!?!?

They are updating electronics so fast that whatever you buy is outdated by the time you get it home.

[ChallengerGary]

Sure seems that way.  My "old" laptop is about 4 years old and I guess it's a dinosaur already.

[ChallengerGary]

Okay, ended up having to spend a few more $$ than anticipated but man this new laptop is fast!  I am in the process of trying to reload my software.  I've already reloaded all my stripe files and docs.  Gonna have to see if I can load MS Office from work as well.

[dodj]

 

[Rare_T_A]

Great news for sure!!!!!!!!!! Let us know when your up and running buddy.          

[ChallengerGary]

Problem now is my version of Flexi is old and I seem to be missing a disk.  Trying to find a work around on the 'net.  Wish me luck...

[ChallengerGary]

Okay - quick update.  It took me almost 8 hours of loading and screwing around but I finally got all of my programs loaded and actually working with the plotter.  Biggest hassle was the plotter did not want to load.  Seems as if Windows 7 does not recognize it.    I ended up search the 'net for solutions and finally found an install guide from the manufacturer that dealt with the specific problem.  Also, I lost all of the 5000 fonts I used to have so I had to purchase a font package.  Found my MS Office disk too.  All is good now 

Thanks guys for your encouragement and help - I've got about a dozen back order to catch up on now.  Luckily, I was planning on taking the next few days off from my day job and should be able to get them all out by Wednesday.