Okay, I have to admit, I was expecting this. I was hoping to avoid it, but I knew it was coming.
I just got off the phone with the computer repair shop.
Good news is, all my data has been saved. No loss there.
The bad news…
My computer isn’t worth fixing.
He did manage to get it started, but right off the hop, I need a new hard drive.
And a new power supply.
Plus, other things are starting to go.
I’ve been hearing that from my machine for quite some time. Honestly, I’m amazed it didn’t die earlier.
It’s just old. He could fix the main things, but I would be on borrowed time. Plus, Windows 11 is coming, and my machine is not going to handle that well. It’s simply not worth the cost of repair.
So when I’m in the city again, I’ll get my data and a new external hard drive to store it on, since there is not enough space left on the external hard drive I have at home. I’ve been looking at new PCs, but they are all insanely beyond our budget, to get a system that meets my needs.
However, we might be able to swing a refurbished machine. I don’t know. When I pick up my data, we can talk shop.
Crud.
More blogging on this stupid little touch screen.
The Re-Farmer
The Re-Farmer 
I hate to say I told you so, but that is sadly what I figured. As far as Windows itself goes as part of that equation, I’d say the hell with it. Linux Mint Cinnamon is free (like most Linux distributions) and has a user interface very similar to Windows 10. I’ve been using Windows 11 since it was first made available and I’m not impressed. They changed the layout and the UI operates more like MacOS now. It gets more intrusive with every update also.
You could put a new HDD and Power Supply in yourself, maybe with a little help from YouTube. It’s not that hard and the parts would only run $100 each vs $1000 for a new PC. Linux is also much lighter on resources than Windows so it runs well on older machines. ;)
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I knew I was on borrowed time already. As for installing hardware, that was one of my husband’s first jobs when he got into the IT field, so I have inside help with that. If it were just those two things, sure, but the video card was going, too (not something he even mentioned, but an issue I’ve had for a while). Even the fans were starting to go.
I am largely unfamiliar with Linux. My husband tried it, many years ago, and ended up killing his computer with all his fussing with it. I’m leery.
A new PC for $1000? US$, I assume. I couldn’t find one to match what I am looking for, for under Cdn$2000. Most don’t even carry PCs anymore. Just laptops or all in one computers.
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I loooove my all in one! Sadly, it’s too old to update (32 bit).
Are you going to get an external hard drive or usb? Terabyte flash drives are reasonably priced these days.
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I was planning on an external hd. I would lose a flash drive too easily! 😆
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Do you really want a tower and not a laptop? I mostly just use mine for writing, so I prefer a laptop. I’ve had good luck buying refurbished ones on Amazon. Less than 100 if you really take your time and aren’t picky. I simply wear them out, so I prefer a less expensive model for a few years rather than investing in good quality.
When I need a tower computer for some odd reason, we have public access computers at the library that are free to use. Printers, too.
I wish you luck!
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Of o got a laptop, I would be hooking it up to my ergonomic keyboard and 27″ monitor, anyhow. I cannot type on a laptop. Too painful. Looking at what’s available, I wouldn’t be gaining anything by it.
Definitely thinking refurbished, but I prefer not to buy online, if I have a choice. I’m old fashioned that way. Lol
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