Article June 2, 2008 Issue

COMPUTER ISSUES—DELETED

BY SUSAN THOMAS

Have you ever talked to your computer? Argued with it, told it off when it wouldn't do what you wanted it to do? I have. But I learned a lesson that's helped me put things into perspective.

Not long ago, my husband and I were having a serious computer problem we just couldn't sort out. We were unable to send any e-mail messages. We couldn't even log on to read any messages we might have received. We felt really cut off.

We rang the expert support lines, but nothing they suggested worked. We spoke to the shop where we'd bought the computer. They were willing to help, but it would cost us a minimum of £100 just for them to have a look. Several friends tried to help, and one suggested perhaps the fault was with the supplier of our Internet service. We tried them, but that didn't help either. Finally, one solution did seem to work—that is, for about six weeks, until the same problem cropped up again. I could have thrown the machine against the wall!