Not Dead Yet . . .

Broke my computer. It still runs perfectly. My roommate distracted me with what was floating in the toilet earlier this afternoon when we returned from the field (it was grass), and I had my laptop perched on the window ledge, the only place I could get Internet access at the time.

I walk the 4 feet over to the toilet, where my roommate was standing, and we both jump at a *CRASH* from behind me. Laptop is on the floor with the monitor bent back a little too far. pick it up.

*flop*

Wow, I can see the monitor hookups. Check the hinges? Okay. One hinge is sheared. Plastic case is fine, and the computer is functioning perfectly (okay, as perfectly as a 4.5 year old computer that's on its 3rd hard drive, 2nd OS upgrade, and had a RAM installation will work, which is surprisingly good).

Okay. Turn computer off, try to realign aluminum hinge. No go. Probably bent, because it's trying really hard not to move. Okay, call Mom, have her zip some directions to the nearest Apple Store.

Turn computer back on, finish project with screen propped against the wall, print project and directions to downtown Salt Lake City, eat dinner, head out.

Get to the Apple Store, and there are no more open slots at the Genius Bar. Talk to the nearest rep I see -- consults a tech. Takes the computer back to the repair room, and I'm left to wander the floor for a while.

While the estimate's taking place, I fell in love with the iPod Touches. Will have to get one of those after my Gen 4 iPod kicks it.

Tech comes back out and she tells me that they have to send it out and they have to replace the entire lid section. $600. Totaled. %@&#!!!!!! However! There is another option. I can buy a whole new computer for just a couple of hundred more with my student discount.

Okay, call Mom and discuss. Need more details on computer replacement. Find tech, talk to tech. Turns out it's just "buy a new computer," which she recommends. No surprise, they are salesmen first and foremost. Call Mom again, decide to hang on for the rest of field camp and replace the computer when back in Michigan.

Roommate and I wander around downtown SLC for a couple of hours till most of the shops close. NICE PLACE. I was a little distracted and upset at having totaled my electronic companion of the last 4.5 years, so I couldn't enjoy it fully, but I was overall having a good time.

9 pm rolls around and we head back to Park City, and I boot up my rather flaccid computer to check mail and hunt for hinge parts. I had decided during the drive home that I couldn't justify replacing a computer that's functioning really well. After all, it's been in pieces before this. Multiple times.

Checked out teh Google and found some places where I could buy a 12 inch iBook hinge. $29, free shipping to the Chateau. Okay, pretentious Apple Store techs, take that! The new hinge ships tomorrow, and I've downloaded instructions from iFixit (thanks, GG!) already.

So no, I don't have to retire this computer yet. Maybe in a year. The techs were surprised that I'd already isolated the problem and tested for functionability before getting there. They must deal with some really incompetent people. The bit I don't get about this whole problem is that yeah, it's a PITA to replace components in iBooks, but they're techs. This is *not* an uncommon problem, as my quick searches have revealed. I didn't really even scratch the surface of the results I turned up, and I saw lots of posts detailing exactly my problem. Too bad they can't charge me $50 for labor and parts and just sauck it up and take the damn thing apart. You don't need to replace the ENTIRE lid section, because the monitor sure as hell ain't broken. And it sure ain't worth $600.

On that note, time to prop my trusty laptop against the wall for the night and head for bed. Hiking 2.5 miles tomorrow because the Forest Service won't open the road for the day tomorrow. Not sure why . . .

Pictures of the Tetons still to come. Pans are assembled, and they turned out REALLY well.