Back On!

So, I'm back on. Where was I? Rebuilding my two weeks old computer from scratch. An unfortunately timed power outage stopped windows in the middle of a write to disk, and caused it to never come back again. It would reach, while loading the drivers to something called "mup.sys" and restart the computer.
The sad thing is that I googled up "windows restarts after mup.sys" and got cries for dating as far back as Win-NT 4.0. Pathetic. It turns out that whatever it is that is supposed to go up right after mup.sys is sensitive to something or rather (never did find out). The great thing is that Microsoft in it's infinite wisdom keeps generations of changes to help me return to a stable configuration. They have very detailed and very clear instructions on how to restore an good configuration on their site. Very helpful. Except for one thing. Everything they suggest that you try requires Windows to ACTUALLY COME UP!!! Since that was my original problem, I tried other options suggested by hacks and quacks, and ended up formatting my hard drive and reinstalling everything.

I should write a story. Adventures in reinstalling Windows!
So I have a wireless keyboard and mouse. Work like a dream. Even before the OS actually starts. The BIOS today is a wonderful thing. Everything goes well, until I install the motherboard drivers (for the network card, mostly). The moment I do that, the keyboard and mouse simply stop working! Why? For the love of God, why?!
So I tried everything. Looked for newer drivers, tried resetting multiple times, and everything else I could think of. Now, the receiver is connected via a USB hub. I tried to disconnect it from the hub, for no avail. I eventually crawled under the desk, and unplugged the hub itself, and plugged it back in. Everything suddenly started to happily work. This looks like something that a start would solve. But No.
And do I learn from my experience? Of course not. Because the speakers were next. I've installed all the drivers, multiple sets of them. And they do not work. I tried everything I could think of, and eventually in a step of desperation crawled back under the desk, and pulled out the plug, and pushed it back in again. The stupid Realtek HD audio manager came up, and stupidly said to me that I've just plugged something into output number 2, what do I want it to do? I chose "Line Out", and ta-dam! All's well. If it's that clever, why did I have to do anything, damn it!

Computers are becoming too smart for my own good.

On contrast, I finally invested in a new iPod. The latest 30GB model. And I am simply madly in love with it. I can see why there are reports of hearing damage from using iPods (and other portable, mass storage music devices) too much. The only problem with it, as far as I can tell, is the internal battery. Fortunately I'm never away from a USB port for more than the 14 hours that the battery is supposed to last. And I never listen to it 14 hours straight. For some reason they don't like it when I have my earphones in during meetings around the office. Why a contrast? Because it just works. I installed iTunes, and connected the bad boy up, and everything just works. That's what I need. Like I've said, I need to be limited in my options. I need a box, riveted shut,and just working. My next computer is a Mac.

And if I hear anyone say "Linux" or "don't you want to use a REAL operating system" I will snap. But that's another rant altogether.