Moodle

Some of you know about my computer virus problem from last fall. I had gotten a warning from a publisher network that some ads on the Internet had been infected with a virus. Two days later I went to a website and as the ad loaded my computer went crazy. Pop-ups started going off everywhere, things started downloading, my screen froze… All of those things that you’ve always been told to look out for happened.

 Long story short, I have still be unable to completely remove the root virus. I cannot tell you how many scans I’ve done, with how many different programs. It doesn’t matter, the thing will not go away. As soon as my computer connects to the interent that virus starts downloading hundreds of other viruses from online. I am not kidding here. So then I am back to not just having one virus to remove, but up to 2,500+ infected files from tons of different viruses. The root virus disables my virus program, which allows all of this to happen. Bit by bit I’ve been able to identify some of the pieces of virus, which is how I know I’m not crazy. But the main virus/file still alludes me.

 Finally at the end of November (after not being able to clean my computer for over a month, which is a problem when you work online!) I ordered a Dell laptop. I needed a laptop anyway, but it just wasn’t really in my budget yet. However, it would never be in the budget if I couldn’t get back online to work! So, I got a great deal, and it arrived not long after Thanksgiving. It was love at first site!!! I LOVED my dell! I even went to office store after office store seeking a bag that was “girlie” enough for my new friend and I. That’s impressive, since the closest office store is over an hour away!

 I was able to work during December on my laptop, and even though I was still unable to access all of my files from my desktop (they could be infected) I could at least make do. I started rebuilding my virtual office, installing my programs again, relocating my professional contacts. Resetting all of my logins, and so on. I wasn’t back up to where I needed to be yet, but I was a lot closer, until yesterday.

 Yesterday I shut my laptop down and headed off to get my daughter after school. As I stood up, I tripped on the cord. I didn’t fall (but did loose my balance), the laptop fell, but only about a foot and right into my hands, and the cord didn’t even come out of the back of it. I set “her” back down, thinking nothing of it and went on my way. Ten minutes later I returned, went to boot back up, and noticed my screen was a dark grey instead of black. Thinking she hadn’t shut all the way down I held the power button until it did, then hit it again to turn the computer back on. Nothing happened. Well, almost nothing.

The power light came on, the fan blipped on for a second, the three main lights flashed on and then right back off, and then I heard this vvvv, vvvv. Then nothing, it shut off. I tried unplugging, replugging, my husbands Dell power cord. Nothing worked. I called Dell’s technical support and told them what happened, and they directed me to take the computer apart, piece by piece. I must admit that I actually enjoyed that part, but only because they told me that if I broke something while they were walking me through that it was covered under the warranty since they were directing me to do it. LOL So, nothing worked, and no matter what we took out the computer reacted the same way.  So - I am now awaiting a box to arrive to ship my girl back to Dell, either to be fixed or replaced. I am sad - not just because I love my laptop so much, but because how am I supposed to work online when I keep loosing my access to being online?

 In the meantime, I am stuck borrowing other people’s computers as I can, but I am still limited as to what I can do. I do not have access to any of my contacts, my programs needed for updating or graphics, my passwords, etc. It sucks. I am considering going and reformatting my desktop from scratch Sunday or Monday. I don’t think it will work, but since nothing else has it’s worth a shot. At this point it’s not like I can get any of my materials from it anyway. Plus, at least then I’d have the ability to work again if I can rid myself of the virus.

Sorry to whine, but to be honest I am feeling a bit sorry for myself right now. I’ll get over it soon. It’s just I’ve been loving my laptop SO much, and have really enjoyed working on this blog. Now I’m at the mercy of finding creative ways to get some work done, boo hoo. LOL