Repair credit fast (or slow)…it doesn’t matter if you screw-up as I did last week. This screw-up was bad, but it could have been worse. If you use a computer and you don’t want to feel my pain, please pay attention.
Okay, I screwed up, and I want you to take advantage of my carelessness…and not repeat my mistake.
I was a “dumbass” and for one week I paid the piper.
Let me ask you, how well is your computer protected from the BAD on the Internet?
And what does any of this have to do with credit repair, you ask?
Don’t worry, I’ll connect the dots…this has everything to do with credit repair.
How much of what’s on your computer can you afford to lose? …none of it? …some of it? …or all of it?
Don’t play “chicken” with all the bad people hanging out on the Internet. If you’re not protected, they will get you…and the “get” may hurt you more than you can imagine.
…I survived last week’s hit and I want you to avoid my suffering.
THE SICK COMPUTER BLUES
Last Thursday, a “gremlin” took over the pointer of my main computer, a laptop. Whenever I touched the trackpad, the pointer would go crazy, erratically dancing around on the screen. I couldn’t control it.
To cut to the chase and to help you avoid my breakdown, here’s what I did wrong:
- I did not keep my virus file (called definitions) updated.
- I did not keep my computer’s drive sufficiently backed up…last backup took place two weeks ago
- I did not have a trustworthy PC repair shop.
A possessed mouse pointer turned into the “blue screen of death.” Thank you very much, Microsoft.
My computer’s optical drive (CD/DVD drive) wouldn’t boot from my start-up CD…dead drive.
My computer would not boot into safe mode (by pressing F8 on my computer during startup).
My computer would not boot from an external CD drive attached to my computer. Arrgh!
I was desperate. I had irreplaceable data on my drive, and I had not backed up sufficiently.
Here’s what I (had to do) to reclaim my computer:
- I had to pull my internal hard drive from my laptop, insert it into a USB drive enclosure & pull the data onto a different drive. Whew, I got it off, narrowly escaping total meltdown.
- I had to ERASE my computer’s hard drive.
- I had to find the product key for Windows XP. Another screw-up. I never copied down XP’s product code. The computer manufacturer had put a “paper” sticker to the bottom of my laptop when they made it. Of course, most of the the key had wiped off. No product key; no Windows installation unless I buy a new copy. To my delight, the Lord blessed me. On the Internet, I found a phone number to REAL people at Microsoft who generated a new product key for me after confirming I own a legal copy of Windows XP. If ever you need to contact Microsoft Tech Support, here are two phone numbers: 1-800-642-7676 & 1-800-936-5700. I could not have been more lucky than to get a very patient & helpful MS Technician named Aarti, who stayed with me until I got XP re-installed.
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I then had to configure XP…quite a lengthy ordeal.
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I had to re-install EVERY single application I used (including keys) and then re-enter every setting! Hours later, my eyes were shot.
This was not pleasant…at all. However, I was lucky. It could’ve been worse. What happened to infect my computer? I don’t know. Must have been one helluva virus.
From now on, here’s what I will do…I promise:
- I now will back-up more frequently…and more consistently. For now, I will use a USB external drive. I’d like to find a solution that attaches to another computer on my network with the backup activated by software.
- I now will keep my virus definitions updated. Look below, I prefer AVG @ http://www.avg.com. From all the versions I’ve tested, AVG seems to offer the most comprehensive protection from viruses, spyware & malware. There’s a free version and a paid version. Another good choic you might want to check out is Norton Internet Security 2008. Here’s a review of the product: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2180639,00.asp
With computers, we have to protect our data (and identity). Ask yourself, how much of the data on your computer can you afford to lose? It comes down to this.
I should have known better. Yes, I was a dumbass! With all the identity theft horror stories I’ve heard (not to mention the 2x I’ve been the ID theft victim), I should have computers protected as well as Fort Knox.
I have little confidence in PC repair shops. I’ve heard of computers returning from repair shops with “keylogger” programs stealing your passwords, bank account login info & controling a webcam attached to your computer.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to battle any more “blue screen of death.” I definitely don’t need a bad case of identity theft. Talk about BAD credit “blues.”
Repair credit fast by keeping your computer protected. What’s your experience with computer issues? I hope you’ve never found yourself fighting serious computer problems, let alone identity theft. Share your experiences.