Yesterday I put together this new computer - not too difficult considering it's not a system straight out of a box like we usually buy. (Ah... what you will sacrifice to save a couple of dollars and get more computer memory...) Next I installed an external storage device on the old computer and backed up all of my files to it. Then I deleted a ton of programs (44% free memory space, YIPPIE!!!) and completely reorganized my files.
As I was going through all of that, I allowed Ken to install our new web cam on the new computer even though most all computer related tasks are typically MY job. He did just fine, but once the web cam was installed we couldn't seem to get it to work. We called Papa and he loaded his new web cam today and same problem; just couldn't get it to connect.
Well, for some reason, one hour before the boy's bedtime, I decided that I would try to fix it. Just so you know, it is VERY hard to troubleshoot technological problems (at least for me) when you've got two little boys fighting in the background, one playing Portal on a computer behind you with an ever-increasing volume, and a father-in-law on the phone with a bad cold! (Thanks, Papa, I'm sure it wasn't any fun for you, either!)
Anyhow, we got our web cams to where we could hear each other, ("No Cussing," cautioned Papa as we tried to work through it,) and then I walked away for a little while and put the boys to bed. Upon returning to the computer, I found an article which said that if all else fails, contact your internet provider.
Wow, even though the problem inevitably had NOTHING to do with my IP's firewall, the poor kid from my internet service walked me through a million ideas and stressed to try my speaker settings again. I got off the phone with him, tweaked my settings and wa-lah - I could connect with Papa.
All is well, right? Well... then I decided to walk mom through her web cam. Needless to say I am ready to scream, and I am sure she is too. We walked through everything a million times and once again got both of us to where we could hear each other over the computer but no picture. For TWO HOURS I went through the same stuff I did with Ed, and all we got was each others' voices. But the really frustrating part?
For about 30 seconds WE HAD VIDEO! We giggled. We screamed. We celebrated! Mom hollered for Dad to come have a look when all of the sudden... blip! "Your connection has been lost."
And I haven't been able to see her frustrated face ever since. Excuse me while I scream.
4 comments:
What a night you did have.
The fact that you were walking your mom through this must mean she is able to get down or up to her computer now. We should be getting an addition to her blog,right?
Donata
Ha! Instead of getting to one of her computers, Mom actually hobbled in her cast to Best Buy and bought a laptop the other day and created a mess of her own!
She had to get a computer guy out to set up the internet, which was two days later, and then she could go online. Then she had to learn how to navigate without a standard mouse and then navigate Windows Vista. THEN I had to talk her through the web cam, which finally worked today.
She did update her blog last night, I think...
Colleen.....
Between you and Kellie, you leave me no news to tell anybody !!!!!!
Maybe if you would update your blog when things happen, I wouldn't have to tell everybody after the fact.
This was two days after we did it!!!
Post a Comment