Nov 16 2007
I Wish I Were a Bigger Geek
I know nothing about computers. Not a thing. I can work out how to use bits of software to get things done but when it comes to computer hardware, I’m snookered. So far this hasn’t really caused me any major problems, but I fear that it my lack of knowledge could come back to haunt me one day.
The day might be upon me, actually. I can’t get my desktop computer’s internet connect to work. It decided to pack it in on Wednesday night and has been in hiding ever since. My foolproof solution of turning the computer off and on has failed me and now I’m at a loss.
I know there’s nothing wrong with the house net connection because I’ve finally figured out how to get my laptop connected and it is hooked up to the net fine. I’ve tried everything I can think of (which isn’t much) and still no joy. I’m hoping a few more toggles of the off/on button will eventually come to my rescue like it did last month when I saw the blue screen of death but so far, no good.
This has got me thinking about my lack of knowledge about the non-web type stuff. It’s not essential to know everything about computers but it can’t hurt to know a little bit. Not knowing anything at all can definitely be a pain, that’s for sure. Plus if I intend on making my living online, computers are the tool of the trade and learning as much as I can will only make my life easier in the long run… right?
I think I’ll go to the pub tonight and give my computer a longer rest. Maybe if I neglect it for a few nights it’ll get its act together. I hope so because if it doesn’t then I’m screwed!
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I've been travelling since January 2008 living off earnings from the web. Follow me as I bum around Asia and beyond, getting up to mischief and working online as I go. 
The on/off method is solid and I use it many times, it might work in this instance but in stead of turning the whole computer on/off you must figure out how to turn on/off the software that handles your internet connection.
I have digital TV where I’m at that uses the same internet connection as the computer, that’s the only way I know where the problems at when the connection dies.
The pub’s *always* a good solution, Kirsty.
“To Alcohol: The cause of - and solution to - all of life’s problems!” - A wise Homer Simpson
You’ll figure it all out in the hazy morning.
You can’t connect to any network? Perhaps your network card died… Those are cheap and easy to replace. I had to recently replace my network card on my desktop - I think those have a tendency to fizzle out after a few years. I’m not sure what your setup is, but if resetting your router (if you use one) still doesn’t let you connect, and your other computer can connect to it, it may be a hardware issue. ahhhh - even though I quit my support job I still find myself trying to help others with their troublshooting haha. good luck!
My fail safe always worked method is just to reinstall either the software in question or the whole system on a few rare ocasions.
Years of working in tech support, I am lucky not to have too much of a problem with this. But the experience also taught me to try, try and try things again and most of the time they come back.