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Blue screen of death
"There is no need to replace my PC," protested my dad. "I only use it to check e-mails. While you're here, I have no need to check it."
My father has not bothered updating or upgrading his PC since 1998 to be able to email his three kids.
His 17-inch monitor has been invaded by the colours pink and blue. When it's pink, you can read what's on the screen. When it's blue, it's all blue --- the much feared blue screen of death. It completely paralyzes the system.
"When did it start doing this?" I asked.
"I don't know. I just got used to it."
My father also got used to the snail pace of internet access. To read an email, I had to switch the monitor on and off several times. He didn't seem to mind.
"Dad, this is not acceptable. I am here to get you a new computer. Brother will pay for it. You have a very slow machine with a malfunctioning screen which will hurt your eyes. Yet, you have the fastest broadband connection."
"You mean it's sort of like driving a fast race car but getting pulled back by an old, slow, and ugly wife who doesn't let me go faster?" he asked.
"Yes, and it's time for you to replace it with a younger one, a prettier one," I suggested.
"But that's gonna cost me. Besides, who will want to marry an old man like me?"
"Dad, computers are getting cheaper every day. For US 700, I can get you a 17-inch flat screen, Pentium 4, with only what you need for Internet access, and full support," I said.
"But what will I do with my old computer?"
"I'm sorry to say this. I won't take it even if you pay me," I said.
"So I'll have to chuck it out?"
"Yes, but you can probably save the keyboard and the mouse," I said.
13 April 2004 Tuesday
Related journal entries:
Computer problems - 2 page (PDF) Le Bon Journal newsletter
Dad's PC from 1998:
32 MB RAM
333 MHz
Hard disk space?
IBM 14 inch screen
IBM CPU
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